Center for Ethics of Science and Technology, Chulalongkorn University,
Siam Intelligence Unit (support by Thai Health Promotion),
Thai Netizen Network and Noviscape Consulting Group
20 November 2012, 9:00 – 16:00
Room 310 and Room 815, Maha Chakri Building,
Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
The Internet has revolutionized the way of communication and has become a global connection network for everyone. The new level of connectivity and computer-mediated social interaction has slowly changed not only digital awareness of citizens, in terms of access to communication and privacy, but has also increased political awareness and public participation in political issues. Furthermore, the Internet has become a channel for the voices of citizens enabling all kinds of new political forces. And soon the Internet itself could be a major political cause.
This conference aims to explore a wide field of digital democracy from different points of view. We would like to initiate a new multidisciplinary research field to explore the arising issues related to digital democracy, especially in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, we would like to reach policy makers and IT-professionals, in order to cross communicate between both groups, especially in the issues concerning the use of information and communication technologies and strategies in political and governance processes.
This one day conference consists of public and invited sessions. The morning session is open for the public with six 20-minutes talks on different topics concerning digital democracy. The afternoon session will be a discussion round in a closed group with invited guests. We would like to brainstorm new ideas for further field building in digital democracy and research tracks. Engaging trans-disciplinary ideas to formulate a cluster of knowledge excellence in digital technology and democratization.
Objectives:
1. To build-up digital democracy as a new research and knowledge field in both higher educational institutes and other research-oriented organizations.
2. To establish a group of researchers and practitioners from various disciplines in order to generate and disseminate knowledge and issues regarding to cyberspace participation, digital politics, rights and ethics, technological and social changes, and other forthcoming agendas relating to digital democracy in Thailand and other Asian countries.
3. To create a high quality and dynamic space for ideas, openness, dignity, embracement, and inclusion for cyber-citizens and other bodies.
We would like to examine digital democracy from a number of perspectives throughout the conference. The topics are as following.
1. Socialization of digital technologies
Accessibility is the most important requirement of digital democracy (e.g. Internet accessibility in Thailand is still around 20-25%). The digital divide is not only an issue of physical accessibility e.g. lack of digital facilities, but also an issue for disabled people and senior citizens. The use of social and digital media for each institution needs to be inclusive, otherwise the prevailing digital divide – between the haves and have-nots – will prevent certain groups of citizens to actively take part in this so-called participatory governance. This raises the issue of fairness – fair and equal involvement of all citizens, otherwise it will lead to the segregation of the citizens and create second-class citizens – those who are disconnected.
2. Technological innovation and political space
Open government is a governance approach, which encompasses the principles of “information transparency, public engagement, and accountability”. Open government, however, requires a holistic approach on policies, the legal and regulatory framework, institutional structure, and process. An overall strategy or direction, at both the national and agency-level, on the use of social media should be in place. Without this, it might lead to confusion for both officers and citizens. For example, what kind of information should be released or communicated on official channels and what should be done via social media and who should be in charge.
3. Digital space & communication style
New media and hate speech: Political discussions seem to be more heated online. How can we respond to hate speech or even identify any content as such? How can we establish a constructive discussion culture?
Digital censorship and self censorship: The extent of Internet Censorship varies on a country-to-country basis. Moreover, some countries have little Internet Censorship, while other countries go as far as to limit the access of information to such matters as the news and suppress discussion among the internet population. Internet Censorship also occurs in response to or in keenness of events such as elections, protests, and riots. Governments across Southeast Asia share different degrees of authoritarian style digital censorship. Governmental monitoring of internet usage and blocking of international sites can be seen in Burma, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam (Doherty, 2010). It is likely that censorship will be increased due to the events of the Arab Spring, Thailand’s Political Turmoil, and Myanmar political unrests.
4. Institutionalization of digital politics
ON-OFF line: The line between online and offline participation in politics is disappearing. How can we channel online enthusiasm into real-world action? What can we learn from online petitions or online recruitments for political purpose in Thailand? What can we learn from Malaysia with its strongest digital politics movement in Southeast Asia?
Political Party & Cyberspace: What could we do for more digital democracy? Does it have to be a political party? Is it enough to establish a movement? (e.g. BIG Trees project and Bangkok Bicycle Campaign). What does an initiative need to become a movement? (e.g. mainstreaming, sharing bite-size information that people can feel connected).
5. Digital security:
Security is a timely issue among governmental agencies. Apart from traditional security that has been associated with national defense and international diplomacy, a non-traditional security issue emerges from “grand challenges” like natural disasters, change of technological regime, emerging diseases or climate change, and other new threats, become a new normal of daily life. Digital technology accelerates social change and the way national security being conform. New key players have more involvement with both security domains. In this aspect, digital security is a bridge between traditional and non-traditional security and will ultimately blur the existing paradigm on categorization of social and security institutions.
6. Strategy and internationalization of digital politics
Digital Democracy in SEA context: Considering the ASEAN members, e-Participation in the region, with the exception of Singapore, does not seem to be progressing satisfactorily. In 2012, for example, Malaysia and Brunei are in the top twenty rankings, while Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have managed to be ranked within the top thirty, whereas data prohibits meaningful rankings for Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. The utilization of digital and social media by government agencies in those countries to reach out to their citizens is not a common practice. ASEAN governments in general, and Thailand in particular, have not yet been able to capitalize on the popularity and tremendous growth of social media despite the obvious growth of social media use among their citizens. How is the use of digital media in political issues in other countries in Southeast asia? What can we learn from their situation?
Program (Tentative)
Public session: Room 310, Maha Chakri Building
9:00 – 9:30
Registration
9:30 – 9:45
Introduction and opening remarks, Dr. Jittiporn Chaisaingmongkol
Speaker session hosted by Dr. Pun-Arj Chairatana
9:50 – 10:10
Socialization of digital technologies: Digital divide, Dr.Kasititorn Pooparadai, NECTEC
10:10 – 10:30
Net Neutrality, Dr. Soraj Hongladarom, Chulalongkorn University
10:30 – 10:50
Digital security, Dr. Teeranan Nandhakwang
10:50 – 11:10
Digital space & communication style: New media and hate speech, Dr. Pirongrong Ramasoota Rananand, Chulalongkorn University
11:10 – 11:30
Countering Hate Speech: Wikipedia as a Socio-technical Solution?, Dr. Chanchai Chaisukkosol
11:30 – 11:50
Institutionalization of digital politics: ON-OFF line, Sombat Boonngamanong
11:50 – 12:00
Closing remarks for public session
12:00 -13:00
Lunch
Invited session: Room 815, Maha Chakri Building
13:00 – 14:30
Roundtable discussion I hosted by Pichate Yingkiattikun
14:30 – 14:45
Coffee break
14:45 – 15:45
Roundtable discussion II
15:45 – 16:00
Closing and concluding remark by Dr. Soraj Hongladarom
Center for Science, Technology, and Society 