Fact Over Fiction: Solutions to Climate Misinformation

Fact Over Fiction: Solutions to Climate Misinformation - An European Climate Pact Satellite Event

Introduction: Join a select group of experts for an informative seminar where we will directly address climate misinformation and explore effective strategies and online tools to combat it. Let's unveil the truth about climate change during this satellite event of the European Climate Pact!

Event Description:
Misinformation about climate change is a serious issue in our society. Join an informative seminar organized by "Pur si Simplu Verde" in collaboration with the Center for Leadership and Innovation (CLI) and the Center for Civic Participation and Democracy (CPD) at SNSPA. As the European Climate Pact Ambassador in Romania, Dr. Ioana Petrescu will share her expertise and vision regarding climate-related challenges, while Dr. Dan Sultănescu, an expert in political science and communication, will shed light on the tactics used to spread false information. Remus Stefureac will present disinformation data that INSCOP collected.

Speakers' Bios:

Ioana Petrescu is the President of the Pur si Simplu Verde Association, a non-governmental environmental organization in Romania. Since 2022, she has been the Ambassador of the European Climate Pact, advocating for the adoption of green energy throughout the economy and the expansion of public transportation powered by renewable energy in collaboration with local authorities. She is the Director of the Leadership and Innovation Center at SNSPA and was a public policy researcher at Harvard for four years. Dr. Petrescu has also served as the Minister of Finance. In the past, she worked as an expert for the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels. She was an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland and holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard.

Dan Sultănescu is a political scientist and public communication expert, with experience since 2000 in political campaigns, elections, and public communication projects. He holds a Ph.D. at SNSPA, in the field of communication, with a thesis regarding the effects of new media on civic participation and electoral mobilization. He is one of the founders of CPD@SNSPA. He holds a BA in Political science from SNSPA since 2001. He also attended Law School classes and has followed courses for a Master's in Elections and political campaigns at SNSPA. During the last 10 years, he has been involved in managing EU-funded projects focused on increasing civic participation and social inclusion. In the last years, he has specialized in analyzing the impact of new media on public communication, studying the relations between social sciences and data sciences, and use of Big Data in communication and political analysis.

Remus Ștefureac is the owner of INSCOP Research (founded in 2013), one of the most active and respected polling companies in Romania and STRATEGIC Thinking Group-business (founded in 2005), a consulting company specialized in political risk analysis. He is also professor at the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration. Previously, Mr. Stefureac served in the public sector as political counselor at the Embassy of Romania to the United States and advisor to the director of the Romanian Intelligence Service. Mr. Stefureac holds a BA in Political Science and a MA in Governance and Institutional Development. His Ph.D. thesis covers the vast topic of active measures, disinformation, and propaganda.

Event Agenda:

16:00 - 16:10 Opening 

Event description and speakers' bio (Ioana Petrescu)

16:10 - 16:20 What is disinformation?

Definition of the disinformation concept, reasons behind the loss of trust in information sources, and identification of experts in the field (Dan Sultanescu)

16:20 - 16:35 Examples of Climate Disinformation

Presentation of types of climate disinformation (Ioana Petrescu)

16:35 - 17:00 Data to Debunk Disinformation

Analysis of data from Romania and other countries (Dan Sultanescu and Remus Stefureac) 

17:00 - 17:20 The Effects of Disinformation and Solutions

Discussions on the economic impact of disinformation (Ioana Petrescu)

Presentation of solutions (Ioana Petrescu, Dan Sultanescu, and Remus Stefureac)

17:20 - 17:50 Questions and Answers

Opportunity for participants to ask questions and receive answers from experts

17:50 – 18:00 Closing

Summary of the event and other relevant information (Dan Sultanescu and Ioana Petrescu).

Powerpoint Presentations:

Ioana Petrescu

Dan Sultănescu

Remus Ștefureac

Video Recording

Let's join forces to develop a deeper understanding of climate change, separate facts from fiction, and work towards a greener and more sustainable future!

Date:: 28/11/2023

Time:: 16:00-18:00 EEST

Place: Multifunctional Room, The National School of Political Science and Public Administration, 30A Expozitiei Boulevard, Sector 1, Bucharest.

Hybrid Event? Yes. It will be streamed live on Facebook.

Language:: Romanian.

Registration: You can register for free online until November 27.