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Defend Democracy Dispatch
for democracy defenders
Join us: on disinformation & interference

As the EU Commission is preparing its Democracy Shield, our monthly #DemocracyDrinks will welcome the EEAS Head of Division 'Information Integrity and Countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference'.

Join Filip Grzegorzewski for an informal exchange about disinformation and the European Democracy Shield.

Day: Wednesday 19 March, 17:00-19:00
Venue: lounge of hotel Aloft (entrance: Rue Juste Lipse)
Fee: please support Defend Democracy's work

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Defending Democracy

Highlights of what Defend Democracy has done this month.
Defend Democracy's 5th anniversary

This month we celebrate our fifth anniversary! And there is much good news to celebrate it with: new Board members Ton Zijlstra and Theo Meereboer, new Advisory Board member Paul Nemitz (formerly DG Justice), new Managing Director Rachel Palma Randle, and new activities.

“Our work has lost none of its relevance. If anything, our mission has become even more urgent. We need a European awakening of democracy. We must fight for democracy more than ever. Because now the question is: sovereignty or submission.”

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#DemocracyDrinks on Ukraine

On 20 February we had an exchange about Ukraine's fight for freedom, democracy and security — theirs and ours.

Our guests and our team were impressed and inspired by stories of Ambassador (ret.) to Ukraine Jana Zikmundova and Aleksandra, a young Ukrainian professional.

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Netherlands Democracy Coalition

Defend Democracy is honoured to join the Steering Group of the newly launched Netherlands Democracy Coalition. Defend Democracy will be responsible for strategic advice and oversight of the ‘digitalisation and media’ strand of this new coalition of Dutch democracy organisations.

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Defend Democracy in the news
The true cost of AI

Defend Democracy joined over 130 organisations in urging the AI Summit to limit AI's environmental impact.

"To meet the challenge of climate change, environmental degradation, pollution and biodiversity loss.., we urge policymakers.. to acknowledge the true environmental costs of AI, to phase out fossil fuels throughout the technology supply chain.. and to dedicate all necessary means to bring AI systems in line with planetary boundaries."

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One more time for those in the back

With Transatlantic relations heating up, including on the regulation of digital platforms, Defend Democracy was cited in an explainer about the EU's Digital Services Act.

'The legislation levels the playing field between regular online users and those with the power to mislead, manipulate, and scam. "Opaque algorithms can be gamed by buying (fake) followers, likes, clicks, and reviews. Some people (or bots!) have megaphones; normal users don't." 

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Events

19 March: #DemocracyDrinks about disinformation and European Democracy Shield

June: Coalition for Democratic Resilience (invitation only; date tba)

September: Transatlantic Democracy Dialogue (invitation only; date tba)
Action
4 things you can do for democracy

How can you help Defend Democracy?

  • Be a digital ambassador
  • Join a #DemocracyDrinks
  • Take action
  • Support us
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