MEGAPHONE
Changing the game
13-15thNovember 2018
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Activists and NGOs are facing a global pushback. Technology is accelerating that process and we need to better understand how it’s happening. But technology can also connect us and amplify our activist response.
In reaction to the attacks we must tell our stories and strengthen our narratives. We need to get people involved in our causes, and use technology as a megaphone for engagement.
Activists and NGOs are facing a global pushback. Technology is accelerating that process and we need to better understand how it’s happening. But technology can also connect us and amplify our activist response.
In reaction to the attacks we must tell our stories and strengthen our narratives. We need to get people involved in our causes, and use technology as a megaphone for engagement.
Let’s support each other, build new and strengthen the existing networks. We need to start changing the game. Let’s meet at MEGAPHONE.
Megaphone is an international event with an unconference spirit that provides space for collaborative discussions and peer-to-peer learning to brainstorm new ideas between activists, action groups, and NGOs who are struggling in the era of misinformation and social media algorithms. Join us!
The working language of the event is English, so good command of the language is necessary.
Agenda
DAY 0
13.11.2018
19:00 meet and greet

DAY 1
14.11.2018
UNDERSTANDING PROPAGANDA, DISINFORMATION AND WAYS OF REACTING TO IT
8:30
Registration & Coffee
9:00 – 10:00
Big Room
10:00 – 12:00
collabarative break-out sessions
Technology labs
Demystifying AI: what you need to know
Tin Geber (Hivos)
Shaping narratives
What makes propaganda work today
Brandon Oelofse (RNTC, the Netherlands)
Technology labs
Technologies to increase online visibility
Katarzyna Zwolak-Szwechowicz (TechSoup Europe)
12:30 – 14:00
Shaping narratives
Fake news – how it works, how to combat it
Kateryna Kruk
Common response
Common response part I
Elena Calistru (Funky Citizens, Romania) + TransparenCEE
Self-care of activists
Self-Care Within Community: Strategies to Survive in an Era of Burnout
Susan Comfort (NonprofitWellness, USA)
15:30 – 16:00
Interactive session
16:00 – 17:30
Technology labs
Data Visualisation – how to present data in persuasive story telling
Neema Iyer (beginners)
Nino Macharashvili (advanced)
Sharping narratives
How to find a radical in the room
Brandon Oelofse (RNTC, the Netherlands)
Common response
Common response part II
Elena Calistru (Funky Citizens, Romania) + TransparenCEE
17:30 – 18:15
Big Room

DAY 2
15.11.2018
HOW TO TELL YOUR STORY AND GET YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS
9:00 – 10:00
Big Room
10:00 – 12:00
Varia
Humor, irony, sarcasm – how to use it in your communication
Borna Sor (News Bar, Croatia)
Shaping narratives
How to make “good propaganda”
Brandon Oelofse (RNTC, the Netherlands)
Making of
Mobilizing p. I
Avnik Melikian (Society Without Violence, Armenia)
Klementyna Suchanow (Polish Women on Strike)
Jakub Rok (Camp for the Forest, Poland)
12:30 – 14:00
Making of
On-line harassment how to react and protect yourself
Klára Kalibová
Common response
Common response p. III
Elena Calistru (Funky Citizens, Romania) + TransparenCEE
Sharping narratives
How we failed… Counter narratives and what not to do
Brandon Oelofse (RNTC, the Netherlands)
15:30 – 16:00
Interactive session
16:00 – 17:30
Making of
Mobilizing p. II – Don’t leave it only to the activists
Tudor Bradatan (Declic, Romania)
Olga Popescu (Declic, Romania)
Sharping narratives
Building better Counter Campaigns
Brandon Oelofse (RNTC, the Netherlands)
Varia
Reportage, video – tips and tricks
Jakub Górnicki (Outriders)
17:30 – 18:15
Big Room
Session leaders

Jakub Rok

Nino Macharashvili

Neema Iyer

Elena Calistru

Katarzyna Zwolak-Szwechowicz

Avnik Melikian

Brandon Oelofse

Tudor Bradatan

Klara Kalibova

Borna Sor

Klementyna Suchanow

Jakub Górnicki

Susan Comfort

Tin Geber

Olga Popescu

Kateryna Kruk
Practical information
How to get there
You can reach Cluj-Napoca by train or airplane.
Cluj airport is located about 20 minutes car/bus/taxi ride from the city center (where the conference venue and hotels are).
We will organize airport transfers for the participants to and from the airport but taxis (traditional ones or taxify) are moderately priced and a popular mean of transport in Romania.
Flights and accommodation
TechSoup covers all costs of travel and accommodation for the event.
The working sessions will take place on the 14-15th of November but due to limited capacity of Cluj-Napoca airport we’ll organize the travel for the participant on the 13th of November. For the return flights – some will leave on the 15th and others on the 16th. We cover all 3 nights of participants’ stay.
VISA notice
Romania is a member of the European Union but not part of the Schengen Area. That is why participants from outside EU are asked to check the formalities involved in traveling to Romania.
For further details or if you have any questions, email us at MEGAPHONE@techsoup.org.
Code of Conduct
MEGAPHONE 2018 is an open event for activists from Central Eastern Europe and Central Asia whose aim is to understand and better respond to the process of shrinking civic spaces.
The rules enlisted below apply for any and all conference venues, including sessions, workshops, after parties etc. and social media.
We would like to all participants, sessions leaders, donors, volunteers and us – organizers to follow the below mentioned rules:
- Act fairly, honestly, and in good faith with other participants;
- Listen actively (especially if you have the loudest voice);
- Engage in conversations which challenge your world views;
- Act with integrity and respect even when you disagree;
- Facilitate transparency and openness as much as possible;
- Assist in creating a welcoming and respectful environment, by following instructions from our staff and volunteers;
- Respect the privacy rights of participants that attend MEGAPHONE 2018, irrespective of nationality, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs (or lack thereof), disability, age, or sexual orientation, physical appearance, body size or technology choices everyone has the right to be free from harassment.
Anti-Harassment Policy
- Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated [Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, technology choices, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention];
- Any harassing or disrespectful behavior, comments, messages, images or interactions by any participant will not be tolerated;
- You should report any unusual or inappropriate activity directly to one of our staff or to the contact below;
- MEGAPHONE 2018 organizers reserve the right to revoke the attendance privileges of any offending individual or party and determine on what basis this decision is made.
Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy Response Process.
When there has been an incident or breach of this code, the MEGAPHONE 2018 team will confidentially review and respond to any participant who has experienced harassment, inappropriate behavior, or a violation of the code of conduct. The final decision on any disciplinary action will be made by a TechSoup Board and communicated to those involved.
Please contact us at megaphone@techsoup.orgor contact Maja Durlik (mdurlik@techsoup.org) or +48 501126426.
Thanks to ePaństwo Personal Democracy Forum CEE for letting us use their Code of Conduct as an inspiration.
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