How to Counter Malign Influences in Digital Development?

Washington, DC - May 24 - RSVP Now

The annual Freedom House global survey of freedom and democracy is very encouraging at the macro level. In 50 years, countries rated as Free surged from 44 of 148 countries, to 84 of 195 countries. However, the current report declares 2023 is the 17th year of democratic decline around the globe, and the struggle for democracy may be approaching a turning point.

Democratic values, free and fair elections, the rule of law, and respect for the individual rights of others is under threat from authoritarian malign influences. There is growing pressure for democratic governments and their companies, civil sectors, and citizens to counter the militaristic, technological, political, and economic efforts of illiberal countries in the world, including Russia and China.

In the US, we see efforts like the Global Engagement Center, CHIPS Act and Countering PRC Influence Fund to counter China’s advances. The US and EU are collaborating closely with civil society to counter Russia’s war on Ukraine and bolster democracy. Yet both China and Russia leverage an evolving information ecosystem and elite capture to exert pressure on developing country governments to pick sides and support their efforts.

Sometimes their well-funded and multifaceted global activities go against citizens’ will, like pro-China actions in the Solomon Islands, or citizens conversations are manipulated, like Russia’s activities in African elections. Both countries always amplify their efforts with social media and technology tools, often developed or owned by US companies.

We should not passively accept Chinese or Russian influence in digital development. In fact, we cannot, with more initiatives, rules, and funds focused on countering authoritarian malign influences in technology solutions and across development objectives. We need to act - but how, where, and when?

Please RSVP now to join us for an in-person Tech Salon in Washington, DC to search for answers to questions like:

What authoritarian malign influences impact international development?
Where should we take action to counter them, and in what format?
How can technology providers and solutions secure information spaces?
When can health, environment, and gender programs play a role?
Who is leading in countering malign technology influences and what are they learning through failure and success?

Please RSVP now to explore in-person the reality of authoritarian malign influences in international development and humanitarian aid programming with key experts including:

Samantha Custer, Director of Policy Analysis, AidData
Mark Duerksen, Research Associate, Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Adam Fivenson, Senior Program Officer, National Endowment for Democracy
TBC Experts, China and Russia Policy Leads

Please RSVP Now. We’ll have special catering from Call Your Mother for a morning rush, but in-person seating is limited. Once we reach our 35-person capacity there will be a waiting list!

Countering Malign Influences
Technology Salon DC
8:30 – 10:30am
May 24th, 2023
In-Person Only
Downtown Washington, DC
RSVP is required for attendance

About the Technology Salon

The Technology Salon™ is an intimate, informal, and in-person, discussion between information and communication technology experts and international development professionals, with a focus on both:

Technology's impact on donor-sponsored technical assistance delivery.
Private enterprise driven economic development, facilitated by technology.

Our meetings are lively conversations, not boring presentations. Attendance is capped at 35 people - and frank participation with ideas, opinions, and predictions is actively encouraged.

It's also a great opportunity to meet others motivated to employ technology to solve vexing development problems. Join us today!