The 9th Democracy Forum

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the ninth Democracy Forum!

Last week, on Wednesday, September 18, we had the honor of hosting Fabian Virchow from the Hochschule Düsseldorf (HSD). Fabian led an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on “Challenging Fake News and Conspiracy Theories in Education.”

During his presentation, Fabian explored several critical themes. He highlighted how conspiracy theories and fake news impact democracy and presented a compelling overview of the structure of conspiracy narratives. Fabian emphasized that such narratives often thrive in times of crisis, offering simple explanations for complex problems, thus appealing to those feeling uncertain or anxious. He also discussed the importance of developing digital literacy and fostering critical thinking as key tools in combating misinformation within the classroom.

We invite you to rewatch the talk here and reflect on the following questions or share your thoughts on any related aspects discussed by Fabian:

• What are some effective strategies for helping students critically engage with fake news and conspiracy theories in educational settings?
• How can educators balance the need to counter misinformation with the importance of upholding freedom of speech and encouraging open dialogue?
• What role should schools play in fostering resilience against the fear and uncertainty that can make individuals more susceptible to conspiracy theories?

We look forward to your insights and comments!

Stay tuned for our next Democracy Talk in October, where Diana Trevino will be hosting the 10th forum. We will have a conversation with Clàudia Soler Laborda and her colleagues of the Escola Carrilet Palagrufell, Catalonia. They will speak about the project “Read Right-Read Rights: A School Project Using Children’s Rights to Develop Democratic Thinking in the Educational Community”. 

You can subscribe to all our future talks on our YouTube page.

Fabian has also published a blog further detailing his presentation which you can read on the Agora here. See you in a week!