Open Call for participants: The (un)freedom of Artificial Intelligence
Study Session on Finding the role of Young People in Human Rights Education and Peacebuilding in Artificial Intelligence
When? 21–25 March 2022
Venue: European Youth Centre Budapest
Deadline: 24 February 2022
Application form: https://forms.gle/Mdgr1W1WWzFTJgdj9
Background
Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a buzzword in public discourse requently heard in policy-making, in business, health, economy, education, politics and other arenas. In fact, the Council of Europe has highlighted that AI is closely related to young people, and it raises questions on ethical issues, human rights, and security. But what exactly does AI entail in both its technological design and societal use? What is the impact of AI in human rights, and peacebuilding? What are some of the risks that AI poses to the
youth, as well as what opportunities? Finally, is there a space for democratic AI? We believe that young people, especially youth leaders and youth workers have a central role to play in the democratic oversight of AI technologies both at local/national and international level. Yet, there is a lack of awareness among youth about AI and their potential risks to core values of human rights and democracy. The crisis of COVID-19 has highlighted the urgency to understand AI’s impact in our lives. Forced to stay at home due to the lockdown, we navigate through AI-based services, and governments
start to look into a more — often intrusive — use of AI for the common good and of solving the pandemic-influenced problems.
In a world where AI is becoming more and more commonplace, it is important that young people are empowered to take a humanights-based approach to understanding AI systems. We see a need to study about AI technologies and their impact on the human rights and democratic participation of youth. Young people and youth workers need to be equipped to understand and face the challenges that AI will bring, including the potential opportunities for a more inclusive, equal and fair society.
Taking into consideration all these factors, the Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (YPAN) plans to gather 29 participants from 29 countries to equip them with competences to understand the ethical, societal, and safety-related implications of these technologies. In accomplishing YPAN’s mission of empowering young people, we are prone to using AI-based platforms, such as social media. Therefore, we feel directly concerned by this topic. Our members are highly experienced and knowledgeable in the fields of peacebuilding, human rights and peace education, activism and conflict
transformation, including direct experience in the No Hate Speech Movement.
About the study session
The study session will take place in the European Youth Centre in Budapest (EYCB) and will last for 5 days (excluding travel days). Participants are expected to attend in person, subject to the evolution of the Covid-related protocols on travel and meetings. The methodology will be based on non-formal education approaches and make use of participants’ experience. The course programme will particularly make use of the set of educational resources on AI, human rights and peacebuilding.
The session welcomes people with various expertise on the topics, including those who have not directly worked with them but that are currently studying or that are keen on working or improving in these fields.
Aims and objectives
This study session aims to empower and build competences of participants to explore AI opportunities and challenges from the perspective of human rights and peacebuilding.
Objectives of the study session:
● To increase participants competencies about AI-based technologies in relation to human rights and peace-building;
● To explore and develop critical thinking among participants about the potential benefits and risks of AI in relation to human rights and peace-building;
● To create a common and safe space for participants to share experiences,
challenges and local initiatives on this topic;
● To enable participants to identify spaces and processes at local, national and
European level where they can propose ideas and perspectives for the
development of new approaches and practises that could foster peace-building and human rights through AI technologies;
● To provide to participants the space and opportunity for development of new initiatives at local and/or international level in relation to AI, human rights and peace-building, as well as fostering international networking and cooperation.
Profile of participants
Participants of the study session are expected to be:
- Youth workers, youth leaders, human rights, peace and digital activists/advocates — Active in youth organisations, youth centres, or at
community-level;
- Interested in developing competencies and critical thinking to work with the
topics of study sessions and to act as multipliers after the study session;
- Aged 18–35;
- Be resident in a country signatory of the European Cultural Convention — Be committed to attend the full duration of the study session;
- Be able to work in English.
The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all candidates who fulfill the specific profile of the activities, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
Financial and practical conditions of participation
Travel expenses
Travel expenses and visa fees for accessing Budapest will be reimbursed according to the rules of the Council of Europe. Only the participants who attend the entire training course can be reimbursed.
Accommodation
Board and lodging for the residential training course will be provided and paid for by the Council of Europe at the European Youth Centre Budapest. The European Youth Centres are accessible to people with disabilities and can take measures to accommodate for any specific needs of participants in this respect. Please provide all the necessary information in your application form.
Enrolment fee
An enrolment fee of 50 Euros is payable by each participant. This amount will be deducted from the amount to be reimbursed for travel expenses or paid at the EYCB during the residential seminar.
Working languages
English will be the working language of the training course. Participants are expected to be able to express themselves autonomously in English.
COVID-19 protocol
A special COVID protocol will be shared with participants upon selection. This includes rules and recommendations for a safe stay in the European Youth Centre Budapest. All participants are expected to follow this protocol during the training course.
Application, procedure and selection of participants
The team of trainers will select up to 29 participants on the basis of the profile outlined above. It will try as far as possible to respect the organisations’ priorities, but also to ensure a balance between genders, geographical regions, different types of experiences, cultural backgrounds and organisations, institutions and projects a waiting list may be established.
Candidates will be informed whether their application has been accepted or rejected, and if they have been put on the waiting list.
The application form must be submitted on-line before 24 February 2022, 23:59 CET at https://forms.gle/Mdgr1W1WWzFTJgdj9
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us: ypan.study.session.2022@gmail.com
About Youth Peace Ambassadors Network
Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (YPAN) is an informal network of young peacebuilders across Europe who work with and in conflict affected communities. The YPAN was developed from the ‘Youth Peace Ambassadors’ project. The project itself was proposed by the Advisory Council on Youth and endorsed by the Joint Council on Youth of the Council of Europe in 2010 and lasted from April 2011 until December 2013. It aimed to promote and support the role of young people in peace-building activities and one of its objectives was to create the network of youth peace ambassadors. Equipped with knowledge and skills in human rights protection, conflict transformation, peacebuilding and intercultural dialogue YPAN members strive to make a social change where a different peace is possible.
