About us
Whether you are an environmental enthusiast, technology expert, sustainability professional, interested in peace and justice, work internationally, or simply looking to network with like-minded individuals, the FTU - Forum for Technology and Developing Countries Meetup Group is the place for you. Please sign up on our newsletter: https://ftu.no/nyhetsbrev/
Join us to share ideas, discuss cutting-edge technologies and innovation, and collaborate on projects that will achieve sustainable development. From renewable energy solutions to waste reduction initiatives, from democracy to peace and justice, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable development and tackling global challenges.
Connect with fellow professionals and students who are passionate about making a positive impact on the world through free debate and information. Let's work together to create a more sustainable future.
Featured event
Disinformation, influence operations and hybrid war
Fake news stories and propaganda are being pumped into society like poison. This evening, we bring together several of the world’s leading experts on disinformation, hybrid warfare, and influence operations. How do we expose and uncover such activities? And how can new technology help us?
Awareness of how Russia, China, and Iran in particular—but also other actors—deliberately use media channels to influence us in our daily lives, has grown significantly in recent years. Hybrid warfare against Norway and Europe is in full swing.
This evening offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into how these operations work in practice. Forum for Technology and Development Cooperation (FTU) has brought together experts who, through short presentations and panel discussions, will shed light on influence campaigns and disinformation—and on how we can best defend ourselves against them.
The seminar will follow a news-broadcast format, with concise presentations combined with interviews and expert panel discussions.
Participants
* Carl Heath (Sweden, RISE and the University of Gothenburg) – He helped develop educational materials on influence operations and disinformation for the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency (Myndigheten för Psykologiskt Försvar).
* Paul M. H. Buvarp – Senior Researcher at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).
* Andreas Skjøld-Lorange – Subject Matter Lead at the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM).
* Cecilie Hellestveit – Associate Professor at NTNU.
* Bjørn Johan Berger – Freelance researcher and commentator focusing on political disinformation originating from Russia.
* Lesia Ogryzko – CEO of the Sahaidachnyi Security Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. She leads several research initiatives on hybrid warfare.
How the Media Distinguish Fact from Disinformation
We will also hear how editor-led news organizations work to separate disinformation from factual reporting. Participants include:
* Thibaut Bruttin, Secretary General of Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
* Runa Victoria Engen, Editor-in-chief, Faktisk.no
* Jessikka Aro, Investigative Journalist, (Finland), who will discuss how she became the target of Russian trolls after challenging Russian influence operations in her work as an investigative journalist.
Psychological Resilience in the Civilian Population
The seminar will also explore psychological resilience among civilians, featuring:
* Geir Jordet from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences.
* Elisabeth Tandberg from the Norwegian Academy of Music.
* Unni Marie Heltne from the Center for Crisis Psychology at the University of Bergen (UiB).
Practical Information
The event is free and open to everyone. It is easy to travel from Oslo to Fredrikstad by train.
https://litthusfred.no/event/desinformasjon-hybridkrig-pavirkning/
Please remember to reserve a free ticket to secure your seat. Registrering is only at the webpage of Fredrikstad Litteraturhus at the link above. When registering, provide your full name. Tickets are personal and may only be reserved one at a time.
Please note: All attendees must present valid identification upon arrival (passport, driver’s license, or national ID card). Identification will be checked against the name on the ticket.
Upcoming events
1
Disinformation, influence operations and hybrid war
Litteraturhuset Fredrikstad, Storgata 11, Fredrikstad, NOFake news stories and propaganda are being pumped into society like poison. This evening, we bring together several of the world’s leading experts on disinformation, hybrid warfare, and influence operations. How do we expose and uncover such activities? And how can new technology help us?
Awareness of how Russia, China, and Iran in particular—but also other actors—deliberately use media channels to influence us in our daily lives, has grown significantly in recent years. Hybrid warfare against Norway and Europe is in full swing.
This evening offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into how these operations work in practice. Forum for Technology and Development Cooperation (FTU) has brought together experts who, through short presentations and panel discussions, will shed light on influence campaigns and disinformation—and on how we can best defend ourselves against them.
The seminar will follow a news-broadcast format, with concise presentations combined with interviews and expert panel discussions.
Participants
* Carl Heath (Sweden, RISE and the University of Gothenburg) – He helped develop educational materials on influence operations and disinformation for the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency (Myndigheten för Psykologiskt Försvar).
* Paul M. H. Buvarp – Senior Researcher at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).
* Andreas Skjøld-Lorange – Subject Matter Lead at the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM).
* Cecilie Hellestveit – Associate Professor at NTNU.
* Bjørn Johan Berger – Freelance researcher and commentator focusing on political disinformation originating from Russia.
* Lesia Ogryzko – CEO of the Sahaidachnyi Security Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. She leads several research initiatives on hybrid warfare.How the Media Distinguish Fact from Disinformation
We will also hear how editor-led news organizations work to separate disinformation from factual reporting. Participants include:
* Thibaut Bruttin, Secretary General of Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
* Runa Victoria Engen, Editor-in-chief, Faktisk.no
* Jessikka Aro, Investigative Journalist, (Finland), who will discuss how she became the target of Russian trolls after challenging Russian influence operations in her work as an investigative journalist.Psychological Resilience in the Civilian Population
The seminar will also explore psychological resilience among civilians, featuring:
* Geir Jordet from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences.
* Elisabeth Tandberg from the Norwegian Academy of Music.
* Unni Marie Heltne from the Center for Crisis Psychology at the University of Bergen (UiB).Practical Information
The event is free and open to everyone. It is easy to travel from Oslo to Fredrikstad by train.https://litthusfred.no/event/desinformasjon-hybridkrig-pavirkning/
Please remember to reserve a free ticket to secure your seat. Registrering is only at the webpage of Fredrikstad Litteraturhus at the link above. When registering, provide your full name. Tickets are personal and may only be reserved one at a time.
Please note: All attendees must present valid identification upon arrival (passport, driver’s license, or national ID card). Identification will be checked against the name on the ticket.1 attendee
Past events
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