Mark your calendars! On 14 January, 2025, the Open Knowledge Foundation will host an engaging online event to dive deep into the intersection of technology and democracy. Together, we’ll reflect on the transformative Super Election Year 2024, exploring how technology shaped electoral processes worldwide and discussing the future we can build together.
🗓 Date: January 14th, 2025
🌍 Where: Online
🕑 Time: 14:00 UTC
Confirmed Speakers
- Alejandra Padilla – Journalist, Serendipia
- Emmanuel K. Gyan – Fact checker, Fact-Check Ghana
- Juan Manuel Casanueva – Executive Director, SocialTIC
- Nurunnaby Chowdhury – Open Knowledge Bangladesh
- Oluseun Onigbinde – Open Knowledge Nigeria
- Setu Bandh Upadhyay – Asia Hub Regional Coordinator, Open Knowledge Network
💡 Stay Tuned: More details on speakers and sessions coming soon.
This event is part of The Tech We Want initiative—our ambitious effort to reimagine how technology is built and used. We believe software should be useful, simple, long-lasting, and, most importantly, focused on solving real-world problems.
Why This Matters
Elections are a cornerstone of democracy, but they are not immune to the challenges posed by rapid technological change. From digital voter registration systems to combating misinformation and ensuring secure, transparent electoral processes, the role of technology in 2024 elections was unprecedented.
This online gathering is a follow-up to our 2023 roundtable discussions on Digital Public Infrastructure for Electoral Processes, where experts from across the globe highlighted the need for inclusive, open, and reliable tech to support democratic practices. If you missed it, you can learn more about the initiative here.
What to Expect
The event will bring together policymakers, technologists, activists, and thought leaders to:
- Reflect on key lessons from 2024’s elections.
- Discuss how technology supported (or hindered) democratic participation.
- Explore practical ways to design and implement tech that truly serves people.
This is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action. Let’s ensure that the next generation of technology is built to empower citizens, uphold transparency, and strengthen democratic systems.
The discussions will directly contribute to a submission for the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression’s 2025 Thematic Report on Freedom of Expression and Elections in the Digital Age. This is a unique opportunity to ensure that our collective vision for responsible and impactful technology influences global policies and strengthens the democratic process worldwide.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a developer, advocate, or simply curious about the intersection of technology and democracy, this event is for you. Let’s come together and shape The Tech We Want—tech that works for everyone.
For updates, follow the Open Knowledge Foundation on Mastodon, Bluesky, X and LinkedIn.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🚀
