Civil society track

Although today’s infodemic may find its fuel online, the source and sharing of information both good and bad, does not often originate there. Infodemic solutions don’t need to be high-tech. Institutions, communities, social groups and individuals are at the heart of human communication and relationships. To address this, we must consider the on-ground realities that allow infodemics to flourish and equip communities to prevent and combat mis -and disinformation as well as harmful rumours. 

This track will bring together voices from influential communities including civil society groups, faith leaders and organizations, youth groups and networks, and marginalized and vulnerable groups to think big and hard about how they, in their respective roles, can support a community-led approach to halt the spread of the COVID-19 infodemic.

Track Participants will include representatives from a number of local, regional and international organizations and networks. The list below provides a snapshot of organisations supporting their communities against today’s infodemic.

• Core Group
• EBODAC
• Global Shapers
• ICRC
• IFMSA
• IFRC
• Internews
• IRC
• MIL Youth Ambassadors
• MVTTV
• NRC
• Oxfam
• Ready Initiative
• UReport Volunteers
• War Child Holland

Track Objective

In two, 90-minute interactive workshops, participants will identify and analyse the top three challenges and propose the top three actionable solutions for a united community led response to the COVID-19 infodemic. The workshops will encourage and activate influential groups to empower communities to prevent and protect themselves from mis-information and other harmful effects of the infodemic. 

Outputs

The workshops will result in the development of a community led challenge and solution statement which will lay out a path for community coordination and collaboration in the fight against mis-disinformation. The statement will be developed together, during the sessions and approved by each group member before being presented at the 11 December plenary session. This document will contain a summary of findings that can be used to advocate for meaningful inclusion of the community in the infodemic response. In addition to the final statement, the group will also develop a video that represents a collection of community voices who will continue the efforts beyond this conference with the support of the WHO and our partners.

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