Spring 2020 (#15)

This milestone 15th edition of Convergences commemorates the 100th meeting of the Club of Venice, providing a “freeze-frame” on a rapidly changing world shaped by digital transformation and global crises. A primary focus is placed on the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing how crisis communication, transparency, and behavioral science were utilized to maintain public trust and compliance with health measures. The issue features extensive research into the drivers of trustworthiness and the pervasive threat of disinformation, including a detailed assessment of the EU’s Code of Practice. It also tackles the polarization of migration narratives intensified by the pandemic and showcases innovative efforts in digital diplomacy and media literacy. Finally, the publication looks toward the future, highlighting youth engagement in climate policy and the urgent need to protect the environmental and cultural heritage of Venice.

Key Topics:

1. Crisis Communication during COVID-19: Lessons learned regarding agility, transparency, and the need for proactive government coordination.
2. The 100th Club of Venice Plenary: Reflecting on decades of progress in European public communication and shaping future professional standards.
3. Countering Disinformation Trends: Assessing the implementation and effectiveness of the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation.
4. The Science of Trust: Exploring what drives public perception, the impact of “emotional innumeracy,” and the decline of trust in traditional elites.
5. Digital Diplomacy in the Digital Age: Insights into Lithuania’s innovative “Network of Networks” approach to foreign policy communication.
6. Polarized Migration Narratives: Countering the “infodemic” of fear and promoting a balanced, evidence-based dialogue on mobility.
7. Media and Information Literacy (MIL): Building societal resilience by teaching critical thinking to navigate the digital media ecosystem.
8. The Future of Venice: Addressing the “vital question” of environmental survival and the existential threat posed by over-tourism.
9. Youth-Centered Policy Design: Empowering younger generations through initiatives like the Open Climate Policy Lab.
10. Digital Transformation of Governments: Adapting institutional structures to adopt user-centered, participative digital governance models.