On the last day of the international symposium, Communication for Social Justice in a Digital Age, WACC General Secretary Philip Lee pointed to “signs of hope,” including agreement about the need for a framework that “enables, empowers and transforms, sidesteps power structures and socio-cultural traditions...
WACC members and partners are calling for a movement to “reclaim democratic public communication spaces” in both the analogue and digital spheres, which would strengthen marginalized voices, guarantee the right of citizens to own and control their data, information, and knowledge, and uphold social justice,...
If digital social justice begins with connectivity, perhaps it ends when that connectivity is usurped by oppressive regimes, extremists, fake news and hate speech. A “press club”-style conversation on 13 September found theologians, politicians, church communicators, activists and journalists from around the world weighing in on...
Presentation by Hon. Emma Theofelus, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Namibia, at the international symposium on Social Justice in a Digital Age held in Berlin, Germany. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC FRENCH SPANISH GERMAN Emma Theofelus, deputy minister of Information and Communication...
WACC partners from India, Palestine and the Philippines on September 13 shared their experiences of working with communities to address digital issues such as digital literacy, policymaking, and creating public platforms with open protocols. Parminder Jeet Singh (executive director of India-based IT for Change), Jan Michael...
Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, on September 13 urged Christians around the world to reflect on digitization and its spiritual, ethical, and political implications and to “do it ecumenically,” not only because of its huge impact on people’s lives, but...
Saying that it is not only social coherence but “human dignity itself” that is at stake, Dr. Ellen Ueberschär, President of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, urged civil society organizations, faith-based communities, and NGOs to “take up the fight for freedom and dignity” in both digital and...
Olivia Baro believes achieving true digital justice in the Pacific islands needs some serious work—and that young people can lead the effort. Baro serves as the ecumenical youth enabler for empowerment and engagement with the Pacific Conference of Churches. The following text is part of a series...
Ukrainian journalist and radio host Katya Potapenko says digital justice remains a goal and not a reality. "For me, digital justice is a possibility of fair access to digital platforms and devices, regardless of country of origin, social status or other features," said Potapenko, a...
Digital justice is relevant to everyone in the digital age, yet it is more important to those living under an autocratic government that can use digital technologies for surveillance of civilians, says a Protestant Christian who works in advocacy. Her work involves supporting non-governmental organizations (NGOs)...