Spring 2019 (#13)

The 13th edition of Convergences centers on a critical evolution in public communication: moving beyond simply being heard by citizens to actively listening and creating a “true dialogue” as the foundation for open democracy. This issue provides an in-depth review of the Club of Venice’s strategic debates in Athens, London, and Venice, addressing crisis management and communication strategies ahead of the 2019 European elections. It offers a robust framework for the EU’s Action Plan against Disinformation, detailing tools like the Rapid Alert System and the Code of Practice to safeguard democratic integrity. The publication also explores the complexities of the migration narrative, advocating for evidence-based policy-making to combat misleading perceptions. Finally, it highlights the vital role of the media, examining sustainable business models and digital diplomacy tactics necessary to build societal resilience against hybrid threats

Key Topics:

1. Open Democracy and Citizen Engagement: Shifting from formal consultations to active listening and participatory decision-making.
2. Crisis Management Coordination: Strengthening planning and cooperation to handle environmental, health, and social contingencies.
3. The Migration Narrative: Re-balancing public discourse by using data and evidence-based storytelling to counter polarization.
4. The rescEU Mechanism: Enhancing the visibility of EU civil protection and building cross-border solidarity.
5. EU Action Plan against Disinformation: Implementing coordinated responses through the Rapid Alert System and mythbusting networks.
6. 2019 European Elections Strategies: Mobilizing inter-institutional efforts to inform voters and protect electoral processes from interference.
7. Hybrid Warfare and Resilience: Assessing societal vulnerabilities and adopting the “Fusion Doctrine” to protect democratic values.
8. Digital Diplomacy Tactics: Navigating the “dark side” of technology by using debunking, discrediting, and disrupting strategies.
9. The Role of Media in Democracy: Advocating for sustainable business models and protecting a free, skilled press.
10. Professional Capacity Building: Modernizing government communication functions through enhanced data analysis and staff training.