CCDD – CSCIS

The Digital Democracy Initiative

Democracy in the Digital Age

Since its inception, the internet has been an unparalleled element both for democracy and repression. As the pace of digitalization accelerates, how we work, education, use healthcare, engage with government & govern, and more is increasingly online.

Yet, half of all humanity remains unconnected and are being left behind just by staying where they are; still more people live in countries which are oppressive or without the policy frameworks needed to protect their rights online; leverage strict censorship, and where the spread of digital authoritarianism marches ever forward.

Mission : The CSCIS Centre for Digital Democracy’s mission is to ensure that technologies and their advancement, serve, preserve and strengthen democratic values, institutions and processes. CSCIS through its Digital Democracy Initiative advocates and promotes the safeguarding of privacy, civil and human rights.

The CSCIS Center for Digital Democracy (CCDD) drives initiatives designed to protect and expand digital freedom, rights, and data privacy through initiatives designed to influence policymakers, private + public sector leaders, news and social media, and civil society. The Centre and its initiatives focus on developing and advocating for rules and policies that promote a free and open Internet.

Promote privacy, justice, and non-discriminatory treatment in the digital realm;
Safeguard civil society against unfair, manipulative, and other harmful practices;
Promote reasonable and responsible digital marketing operations in political campaigns and elections;
Advocate for fair, equitable and media accountability and the public sphere.

The world’s governments must come together to strengthen democracy and human rights online.

CSCIS leads an initiative that brings together representatives from governments, NGO’s, organizations, private sector players, academia, technology industry and civil society to make technology and associated governance work for democracy and human rights.

Key Issues and Challenges.

Why the initiative matters; and hopes for the way forward.
Challenges will may arise – Learning from past mistakes, what do we need to do differently, and how?
What are the key challenges and opportunities for democracy and human rights in the digital era.
What do we need to do individually and collectively to make tech a tool for democracy and human rights.
How can we leverage technology to enhance democratic values and practices such as inclusion, transparency and accountability to restore trust in democracy?
What tools and methodologies can be used to pave a way forward?
What is the emancipatory potential for tech in present day democracies around the world?
Challenges that may arise. Learning from past mistakes, what do we need to do differently, and how?
How to commit to make technology work for, not against, democracy and human rights.

Join us to learn more about this timely effort.

For more information on this initiative and how you can involved please contact info@cscis.org

Digital Democracy Initiative // Leadership

The Seven Principles of Public Life + CSCIS Value Principles

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder. This includes all those who are elected or appointed to public office, nationally and locally, and all people appointed to work in the Civil Service, local government, the police, courts and probation services, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), and in the health, education, social and care services. All public office-holders are both servants of the public and stewards of public resources. The principles also apply to all those in other sectors delivering public services.

1.1 Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

1.2 Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

1.3 Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

1.4 Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

1.5 Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

1.6 Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

1.7 Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

CSCIS Cyber Intelligence: Special Edition: People’s Republic of China
November 29, 2024

Digital Democracy Initiative

More than ever, technology is changing our world, transforming, government, society, democracies, how we communicate, live, learn, work, use information and make decisions.