Summary
At the 2024 Bucharest Security Conference, the Center for Civic Participation and Democracy (CPD) will host a timely panel titled Elections 2024: Online Disinformation and Security Risks. Bringing together academia, civil society, and policy experts, the panel will delve into the intersection of electoral processes, online disinformation, and the broader security landscape.
Moderated by Dan Sultănescu, the discussion will address the challenges posed by misinformation campaigns in shaping public opinion and their implications for democratic resilience, offering insights into strategies to counteract these growing threats.
Unfortunately, the danger of online disinformation in shaping electoral outcomes is more pressing than ever.
The timing of this panel is particularly significant, as it follows two important electoral events (the shocking outcome of the first presidential round of the Romanian presidential elections, as well as the reelection of Donald Trump in the US), and precedes another (Romania’s parliamentary vote). By analyzing the role of online disinformation in the context of these electoral contests, the panel will provide a fresh and relevant perspective on how digital communication can influence and shape electoral outcomes, and pose challenges to both national and international security.
From social media manipulation to state-sponsored cyber campaigns, the digital domain has become a battlefield for influence, misinformation, and interference. This panel will explore the complex challenges that online disinformation poses to the integrity of elections, with a focus on the 2024 electoral landscape. Key questions to be addressed include: How much have the 2024 elections been impacted by disinformation, and in which way? How can democracies build resilience against such threats? What are the implications of AI-generated content for election security?
ABOUT THE PANEL
MODERATOR: Dan SULTĂNESCU, PhD, research director of the Center for Civic Participation and Democracy (CPD SNSPA).
Our SPEAKERS:
Elena CALISTRU, President & Co-founder, Funky Citizens
Elena CALISTRU is an experienced civil society advocate with a strong interest in good governance, transparency, and fiscal-budgetary policies. She has been actively involved in the non-governmental sector since 2008 and has spent the past decade focusing on public finances. At Funky Citizens, she frequently leverages budget analysis to provide insights and raise awareness about the use of public funds at both central and local levels. Over the years, she has conducted numerous training sessions related to budget literacy for NGOs, journalists, and local officials.
Remus ȘTEFUREAC, PhD, CEO and founder of INSCOP Research
Remus ȘTEFUREAC is the CEO and founder of INSCOP Research, a prestigious sociological research company in Romania, and has extensive experience in political and public opinion analysis. He teaches courses on public opinion polling, tackling disinformation and building resilience at the College of Communication and Public Relations (SNSPA) and has previously served in the public sector as a political counselor at the Embassy of Romania to the United States and as an adviser to the director of the Romanian Intelligence Service.
Iulia HUIU, PhD, CEO and Founder of Great Empowerment Consulting, CPD SNSPA expert
Iulia HUIU is a political analyst, associated with the Center for Civic Participation and Democracy, and teaches US-Russia Post-Cold War Relations at the National University for Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA). Her academic focus is on democracy and coalitions, the impact of domestic politics on foreign policy, and US politics and foreign policy. She authored numerous articles and studies on Romanian democracy and transition and co-authored two books. She is the CEO and founder of Great Empowerment LLC, a consulting company specialized in strategy, management and communication.
John CAPPELLO, Chief of Operations, Balkan Security Network
John CAPPELLO is the Chief of Operations at the Balkan Security Network, where he coordinates analysis and consultancy activities in the field of regional security. With extensive experience in international security and defense, Cappello has been involved in various projects focused on stability and cooperation in the Balkans and has also served as a senior analyst at the U.S. Missile Defense Agency annex office in Tel Aviv, as the U.S. Air Force attaché and Acting Defense attaché in Belgrade, Serbia, and as a political military officer at Headquarters United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
Radu MAGDIN, CEO Smartlink Communications
Radu MAGDIN is the CEO of Smartlink Communications, a consultancy company specializing in strategic communication and public affairs. He has served as an advisor to prime ministers, governments, and international corporations, being recognized for his expertise in crisis management, communication strategies, and advocacy. Radu Magdin is a NATO Emerging Leader with the Atlantic Council of the US (2014), a Forbes Romania Trendsetter (2014), and a Warsaw Security Leader (2015).
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
The eighth edition of the Bucharest Security Conference, one of the most prestigious international conferences on security and defense in Romania, will take place on November 29-30, 2024.
This annual event, held since 2016, aims to foster a shared understanding of security threats among NATO members and partners, strengthen allied military presence in the region, and enhance cooperation among B9 countries.
This year’s conference will explore the profound strategic shifts reshaping our world and the most recent security evolutions in Euro-Atlantic space. The focus of this edition will be on the changing security environment, assessing security threats in Eastern and Central Europe. Considering the ongoing global security challenges, this year’s conference will also feature in-depth discussions on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. In this context, the event seeks to cover analyses on the opportunities and risks posed by emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, a common understanding of the present trends and future solutions.