Advancing Palestinian Digital Rights: Strategies for Engagement within the EU

Advancing Palestinian Digital Rights: Strategies for Engagement within the EU

When - Monday December 2nd 

Where - Hotel NH Brussels EU Berlaymont

Agenda:

09:30 – 10:00 | Arrival and Registration

10:00 – 10:15 | Opening Remarks
Welcome speech addressed by the Director of 7amleh Nadim Nashif, highlighting the significance of the conference and the main challenges of Palestinian digital rights.

10:15 – 11:15 | Panel 1: The Impact of EU Legislation and Regulation on Palestinian Digital Rights
This panel will explore how EU laws and regulations affect digital rights globally, with a specific focus on Palestinians as a case study. Speakers will delve into the challenges and opportunities posed by European legal frameworks.
Speakers: Rima Hassan (Member of the European Parliament -The Left group), Itxaso Olazabal Dominguez (Policy Advisor - EDRI), Eliška Pírková (Senior Policy Analyst and Global Freedom of Expression Lead - Access Now)
Moderator: Taysir Mathlouthi (EU Advocacy Officer - 7amleh)

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11:15 – 11:30 | Coffee Break

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11:30 – 12:30 | Panel 2: Palestinian Digital Rights and Big Tech Accountability
This session will focus on the role of Big Tech in regulating and restricting digital spaces, and how this impacts Palestinian voices. Experts will discuss strategies to hold tech companies accountable for their actions within the EU context.

Speakers: Mark Dempsey (Senior Advocacy Officer - Article 19); Svea Windwehr (Assistant Director of EU Policy - EFF): Mona Shtaya (Campaigns and Partnerships Manager (MENA) and Corporate Engagement Lead- Digital Action)

Moderator: Aimee Shalan (Director - Makan)

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12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch 

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13:30 – 15:00 | Breakout Session: Intersectionality and Mobilization
Small group discussions on how different organizations and coalitions that have a base in the EU can create stronger synergies within the digital rights space. Participants will exchange ideas on mobilizing support for Palestinian digital rights through intersectional approaches.

Breakout Session n°1 : Leveraging the DSA: Strategies for CSOs to Advocate for Palestinian Digital Rights - the session aims to equip CSOs with knowledge and practical approaches to effectively use the DSA framework in their advocacy efforts, potentially leading to more targeted and impactful campaigns for Palestinian digital rights in the face of challenges such as biased content removal, lack of transparency, and extraterritorial impacts of EU regulations.

Breakout Session n°2: Litigation Efforts to End Big Tech Complicity: this session will explore ongoing and potential litigation efforts in Europe aimed at holding big tech companies accountable for digital rights violations. 

Breakout Session n°3: Challenging (or improving) Classical Advocacy in Brussels - this session will  explore innovative approaches to advocacy for Palestinian digital rights within the EU’'s political landscape. Participants will discuss strategies to improve traditional lobbying methods in Brussels. 

Breakout Session n°4: Forging Digital Alliances - Mobilization, Campaigning and Collective Action for Palestinian Rights - this session explores strategies for mobilizing solidarity and building effective partnerships to advocate for Palestinian digital rights. The discussion will focus on applying collective action frameworks to the digital sphere, emphasizing the power of united efforts in addressing challenges faced by Palestinians online.

15:00 – 15:20 | Group Summaries
Each group will present key takeaways from their discussions. 

15:20 – 15:30 | Closing Remarks

The event will conclude with closing words summarizing the day's outcomes and future steps for advocacy within the EU context.