Research

Communication has always been a determinant factor in the configuration of power relations among people, social groups, institutions... In periods of big transformations, such as nowadays, it acquires a special significance in the measure that communication plays a fundamental role in the consolidation of the ideas that create a certain ideological hegemony, in the mechanisms that allow setting power relations and the balance between society and market, between politics and economy. Moreover, it also plays a significant role in the configuration of the diverse social interests and in the channeling of the social conflicts that form societies. The seminar " Communication and Civil Society " is the space in which a group of people with different professional, social and civic experiences and which comes from diverse and plural perspectives, tries to analyze which is the role played by communication in the consolidation of these dominant ideas, which are the alternatives that in very incipient forms are appearing, what role are playing the civil society organizations, and which experiences are generated, specially across the "network". 

Next session: Novembre 28, 2011

Dates:  October 26-27th, 2011

Location: William J. Mitchell Room. Media-TIC building, (Roc Boronat 117, 7th Floor) Barcelona.

The network society and technological conditions that enable it are causing significant changes in the operation and practices of all the realities that shape civil society. In recent years there have been significant changes in the development and diffusion of communication and information channels, these being more and more widely distributed and accessible, accelerating the emergence of processes in which the Internet and the different access technologies have played a central role. In the scenario of economic crisis these technologies have been incorporated into numerous processes of social transformation, not only as a means but as a key for the reconfiguration both of the practices that have been carried out and of the collective imagination being constructed. From the Arab Spring to 15-M, through the struggles for the defence of Internet neutrality, the ways of conceiving not only political action but a socio-technological relationship in its broadest sense, have completely changed.

With these conferences, under the obvious influence that the unique experience of the 15-M movement - with all its diversity and complexity - has on these reflections and discussions, we wish to explore some of the questions raised in relation to changes in politics in the Internet Age, the formation of a rapidly changing civil society, and the transformation of the media and the emergence of mass self-communication, and the weight that the defence of the freedom and neutrality of the network itself wields in the evolution of these processes.

At the "Communication and Civil Society" Seminar of the UOC-IN3, which lasts two days, we invite you to actively participate in the different presentations and panel discussions that will explore these issues by sharing common analyses and posing new questions regarding an emerging issue which still remains open to trailblazing and experimentation.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26th

9:30h Presentation

-          Inauguration of conference by  Manuel Castells

-        Presentation of Seminar “Communication and Civil Society” by Joan Coscubiela,  Co director of the Seminar.

10:00h Panel I. “Politics in the Internet age”

-          Manuel Castells (UOC)

-          Joana Conill (UOC)

-          Amalia Cardenas (UOC)

11:30h Coffee Break[1]

12:00h Panel discussion with:

-          Marta G. Franco (Acampada Sol participant)

-          Javier Toret (Democracia Real Ya Barcelona participant)

-          Mayo Fuster (Berkman center for Internet & Society)

-          Moderation: Arnau Monterde (UOC-IN3)

14:00h Lunch  

16:00h Panel II. Net neutrality struggle and new movements in the digital era.

-          Ponencia: John Perry Barlow (Electronic Frontier Foundation)

17:00h Panel discussion with:

-          Carlos Sanchez Almeida (Bufet Almeida)

-          Txarlie (Hacktivistas)

-          Gala Pin (X.net)

-          Introduce and coordinate: Ismael Peña (UOC)

THURSDAY OCTOBER 27h

9:45h   Presentation.  Imma Tubella (Professor of Communication - UOC)

10.00h Panel III. The transformations of Civil Society in the Information and Knowledge Society

-          Joan Coscubiela (UOC-IN3)

-          Gemma Galdon (UOC)

-          Ada Colau (Plataforma d’Afectats per la Hipoteca)

-          Moderation: Oscar Mateos (Ramon Llull University)

11:45h Coffee Break

12:15h Panel IV. The incidence of the new social movements. Exploring new fields for political action.

-          Mònica Oltra (Coalició Compromís)

-          Joan Subirats (IGOP)

-          Raul Sanchez Cedillo (Nomad University)

-          Modera: Joana Conill (UOC-IN3)

14:00h Lunch

16:00h Panel V. The limits of the mass media and the emergence of mass self-communication in the digital age.

-          Lluís Bassets (El País Associate Director )

-          Manuel Campo Vidal (Journalist)

-          Mayte Pascual (TVE  Journalist)

-          Ricardo Galli (Meneame.net)

-          Klaudia Alvarez (Communication group DRYbcn)

Limited places: 90 people

Free registration (limited to availability*)

To register send an email to amonterde@uoc.edu with your name and a brief description of why you are interested in participating in the conferences, and whether you wish to attend on one or both days. You will be notified after the registration and you will have to reconfirm your attendance. Due to limited availability, it is important to confirm or you may lose your place.

*Due to limited availability, places will be allocated in order of registration.

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* During the meeting there will be streaming service.

We want to thank everyone who has contributed to the production of the conference and in particular:

- Participants of the Seminar on "Communication and Civil Society" for their dedication and collaboration.
- To Free Culture Forum for its good collaboration and its support.