Unmuhbarru.ac.id, Barru – Univeritas Muhammadiyah Barru (Unmuh Barru) and IUCSRS – Dewan Pendidikan Kabupaten Maros, in cooperation with University of South Wales, Dublin City Univesrity, EUAcademy, and European Union will arrange “Young Scholar Symposium on Peace and Cyber Sovereignty 2025” on 5-7 March 2025 (hybrid). This is the Call for Abstract: Young Scholar Symposium on Peace and Cyber Sovereignty 2025.
The symposium will be under the topic “Shaping the Future: Pursuit of Peace in The Digital Age”.
The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed the human experience, creating unprecedented opportunities for connection, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. However, this interconnectedness also presents new challenges to the pursuit of peace. While the digital age offers tools to amplify voices for peace and promote understanding, it also carries the risk of exacerbating conflicts, spreading misinformation, and fostering division. Therefore, shaping a future where peace prevails in the digital age requires a nuanced understanding of both the potential and the perils of this technological revolution.
The digital realm has become a powerful platform for peacebuilding initiatives. Social media enables activists to organize movements, share information, and mobilize support for peaceful causes. Online forums can facilitate dialogue and bridge cultural divides by connecting people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Digital technologies also provide innovative tools for conflict resolution, such as virtual reality simulations that allow parties to experience alternative perspectives and foster empathy. By harnessing the power of the internet and social media, peace advocates can transcend geographical boundaries and engage a global audience in the pursuit of peace.
However, the same technologies that empower peacebuilders can also be exploited by those who seek to sow discord and incite violence. The rapid spread of misinformation and hate speech online can fuel social unrest and escalate conflicts. Social media algorithms can create echo chambers where users are only exposed to information that confirms their existing biases, further polarizing societies. Cyber warfare poses a new threat to international security, with the potential to disrupt critical infrastructure and destabilize entire regions. Therefore, addressing the challenges to peace in the digital age requires a multi-faceted approach that includes promoting media literacy, combating online extremism, and establishing international norms for responsible cyber behavior.
Furthermore, the digital age has profound implications for the root causes of conflict. The rise of artificial intelligence and automation has the potential to exacerbate economic inequality, leading to social unrest and political instability. The increasing reliance on digital technologies also raises concerns about privacy and surveillance, which can erode trust in governments and fuel social divisions. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial for creating a more peaceful and just world in the digital age.
In conclusion, the pursuit of peace in the digital age is a complex and multifaceted endeavor. While digital technologies offer powerful tools for peacebuilding, they also pose new challenges to human security and social harmony. Shaping a future where peace prevails in the digital age requires a concerted effort to promote media literacy, combat online extremism, address the root causes of conflict, and establish international norms for responsible cyber behavior. By harnessing the potential of digital technologies for good while mitigating their risks, we can create a more peaceful and prosperous world for all.
The abstract should be send to email: bidhln at rpi dot or dot id by the 1 of March 2025.
Convener:
Ismail Suardi Wekke, The Academia of Papua, Indonesia, University South Wales (United Kingdom)
Chritian Kaunert, University of South Wales (United Kingdom)