Watson Events

Panel Discussion -- Building Collective Capabilities via Transnational Virtual Networks

Panel Discussion: Building Collective Capabilities via Transnational Virtual Networks

From the descriptions of the Arab spring as “social media revolutions” to the role of “Anonymous” in sparking Occupy Wall Street, technological tools are increasingly portrayed as central to social mobilization, nationally and globally. But how useful are they in reality? Five panelists will discuss their own experiences in trying to use the Internet to facilitate people’s ability to secure their rights and shape the political and economic decisions that affect their lives. They will reflect on the potential and limits of information and communications technology as a political resource and how we might use it to better advantage.

Panelists:
Archon Fung, Participedia and the Kennedy School of Government
Thea Gelbspan, The Economic Social and Cultural Rights Network [ESCR-Net]
Dara O’Rourke, Good Guide and the University of California, Berkeley Sociology 
César Rodríguez-Garavito, Dejusticia, Universidad de los Andes and Democratizing Global Economic Governance Project
Peter Evans, Senior Fellow Watson Institute, UC Berkeley, and Democratizing Global Economic Governance Project

Moderated by Patrick Heller, Department of Sociology and Watson Institute.

Reception to follow.

Location: Joukowsky Forum, Watson Institute, 111 Thayer Street.