From October 15-17, 2024 Madrid hosted the Summit of Engaged Digital Citizenship, bringing together experts, innovators, and leaders from across Europe to explore the latest trends in digital education, training, and cultural access.
PANEL on Engaged Digital Citizenship: Fostering Equality in Enjoying Cultural Goods in the Digital Era
One of the key panels ‘Equality in Enjoying Cultural Goods in the Digital Era’ featured Aistė Ulubey, founder and manager of Artscape Arts Agency, representing Lithuania’s innovative practices in commitment to fostering cultural inclusivity in the digital age. Artscape, working in intersection of arts and social field, is on applying creative solutions in solving inclusion problems. This is how innovative practices like digital creative solutions, innovative advocasy actions are strenghening dialoge and social cohesion in work with refugees, incarsarated people and other underrepresented communities. The panel, moderated by Vaggelis Gettos, Head of Culture Arts Unit at CSI Cyprus, was an insightful exploration of the intersection between digital innovation and cultural equity. Beside Aiste Ulubey the discussion featured Christy Romer, Communications Director of the European Theatre Convention, and Jolan Wuyts, Collections Editor at Europeana.
Aistė Ulubey shared how digital tools can democratize access to cultural goods, particularly for marginalized groups who have traditionally faced barriers to participation. Aistė emphasized how technology can bridge gaps between different social groups, using digital platforms to foster empathy and understanding, even in spaces that feel inaccessible.
The discussion revolved around the broader theme of digital inclusivity, with each speaker bringing unique perspectives on how cultural organizations can leverage technology to advance equity. From the preservation and digitization of cultural heritage to challenges that creatives are facing working in performainge arts are field, panel showcased how digital innovation is reshaping the cultural landscape, making it more accessible to all.
The summit,which gathered experts in digital skills, media education, culture, aimed to raise awareness about social exclusion and digital rights, while creating new opportunities for networking and alliances. Event included networking events, ‘Digit village’ spaces, inspiering talks, that highligted commitment to a future where everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, can enjoy the full benefits digital goods. Artscape team, Ieva Sliachtoviciute, Stefanija Paulauskaite were presenting organisation’s projects innovative practices for inclusion.
The latest digital series, Soundscape, created in partnership with UNHCR capturing unique stories from a diverse range of refugee voices in Lithuania and and demonstrating how digital media can serve as a platform for inclusion and storytelling.
October 24, 2024