WHO/Sam Bradd
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3rd virtual global WHO Infodemic Management conference

20 October – 11 December 2020

Whole-of-society challenges and solutions to respond to infodemics

#societyVSinfodemic

20 October–11 December 2020: Ongoing consultation amongst invited participants

11 December 2020, 8:00 EST/14:00 CET/20:00 ICT. LIVE public event to:

 - Present consultation outcomes

 - Announce partner and stakeholder commitments

The COVID-19 pandemic has gravely affected our societies and economies. It has been accompanied by an infodemic, an overabundance of information, including misinformation. Rapid amplification and dissemination of information and misinformation online, in a time when people are more socially distanced than ever before and relying on their phones to connect to the world, is adding a new concerning dimension to the infodemic.  

If people act on false health information they hear or see, it can impact their health, and if enough people do not follow health guidance, it can prolong this pandemic. Until a vaccine or vaccines are widely available to the public and widely accepted by the public, we continue to be at risk of both the infodemic and the pandemic.  

As our lives, communities, organizations and countries are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize the critical need to act with fierce urgency in solidarity, unity and commitment to equity to mitigate this infodemic.  

From 20 October–11 December 2020, WHO is hosting its 3rd Virtual Global Infodemic Management Conference where invited participants will be meeting to hold dialogues, workshops and webinars to inform the consultation outputs. On 11 December, the consultation will conclude with a LIVE public session that highlights the outputs developed over the six weeks. During the live event, partners and stakeholders from every corner of society will attend to affirm their commitment to necessary actions that will enable individuals and communities to mitigate the impact of and develop resilience to the COVID-19 infodemic.  

The consultation aims to identify the top 3 infodemic challenges and solutions in each of the 6 categories below:

Bookmark this webpage and check in frequently to follow real-time progress from the consultation. Register to attend the 11 December 2020 LIVE public session and save the date in your calendar.