Youth Cyber Forum

Chair

• Laura Groenendaal, Research and Projects Associate, The German Marshall Fund of the United States 

Input speakers

• Alex Blau, Vice-President, Ideas42, the United States 
• Louise Marie Hurel, Researcher, Igarapé Institute, and PhD Candidate, London School of Economics, Brazil 
• Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative, Nigeria 
• Yukako Uchida, Manager of Global Coordination Division, JPCERT/CC, Japan Sonja FISCHBAUER, Program Lead for 'Jugend hackt' at the Open Knowledge Foundation, German

The rapid digitalization driven by the COVID-19 crisis has led to a ‘Black Mirror’-like reality that is characterized by a significant increase in malicious cyber activities. Cyber criminals take advantage of the crisis by spreading COVID-19 related phishing emails and malicious content on health websites. Cyber-attacks on public institutions and hospitals threaten effective government responses to the crisis and can even put the lives of citizens at risk. As such, cyber security has become even more crucial in day-to-day life.  

How do younger generations view such cyber security threats and how do they judge current responses by the governments? How can we involve younger generations in designing the policy responses? What is needed to ensure higher involvement of young people in the discussion about topics such as disinformation, cybersecurity, etc.?  During this interactive session experts and youth participants (ages 18-35) from Europe, North America, Asia, Latin-America and Africa, will share their perspectives on rising cyber security challenges and innovative solutions.