[Air-L] Internet of Things As An Agent for Democracy And Civic Engagement Conference

[Lawrence Ampofo]

CALL FOR PAPERS

A tremendous transformation is occurring. Smart technologies and the
internet of things 
<http://semanticaresearch.com/events/sr-smart-social-media-summit/> will
fundamentally change the way we govern, live and trade.
More than 50 billion Œthings¹ are projected to be connected to the Internet
by 2020, which, combined with advanced big data analytics, will constitute a
giant, intelligent network that will change the way we govern, trade, and
interact.
The Internet of Things as an Agent for Democracy and Civic Engagement
conference has been created to provide governance, democracy and Internet of
Things professionals with in-depth discussion and strategic recommendations
on ways the Internet of Things impacts upon democratic and political
engagement, particularly amongst civil society organisations.
It brings together IoT professionals, business executives, academics and
other influencers from around the world to discuss how the the internet of
things will disrupt democracy and civic engagement, paving the way for  a
fundamental change in the ways businesses and governments approach democracy
and governance in the 21st century.
In addition, the conference explores ways in which the Internet of Things
can help create a network of mutual independence that strengthens the
organisations that form civil society, and how the Internet of Things can be
used to reach civil society organisations to inform, empower and foster
constructive grassroots participation in a more consistent and systematic
way.
The Internet of Things as an Agent for Democracy and Civic Engagement
conference 2015 is a two-day event, taking place between 25-26 March 2015,
and includes extensive presentations and in-depth panel discussions on all
aspects on the Internet of Things and Democracy, an area for workshops where
companies and experts provide master classes on how best to utilise the
Internet of Things to foster democracy and civic engagement, together with
online and in-person networking opportunities where delegates can establish
valuable professional relationships. All attendees will leave with enduring
knowledge of the contemporary nature of the Internet of Things, democracy
and civic engagement, as well as a wealth of new contacts.
Call for Papers
Those people who are interested in presenting a paper at the conference are
requested to submit their abstract of 300 words in length to info [at]
semanticaresearch [dot] com by February 25 2015. If the abstract is
accepted, submission of the original paper is expected. Participants who
have not submitted their papers by the deadline will not be permitted to
give a presentation in the conference.
All abstracts will be evaluated by an academic committee.
Selected papers will be published in our  book of thematic compilation on
the Internet of Things, Democracy and Civic Engagement with the consent of
the authors. 
Possible topics for discussion include the following:
* How will privacy issues impact upon the uptake of the Internet of Things
in democratic institutions?
* What is the role of Government in an age of Smart Cities and algorithmic
regulation?
* How can civil society institutions ensure that the Internet of Things is
harnessed for the public good?
* How can technologies be designed to create deeper civic engagement?
* What are the global implications on foreign policy of connecting the
unconnected?
* How can the Internet of Things impact developing countries?
* What is the potential impact of the Internet of Things on transnational
crime?
* Cybercrime and Cybersecurity
* How will the Internet of Things affect critical national infrastructure?
* Hyperconnected Diplomacy
* Encryption and Integrity
* And much much moreŠ

Dr. Lawrence Ampofo
Associate Lecturer
International Relations Degree
Blanquerna School for Communication & International Relations
Ramon Llull University
Carrer Valldonzella 23
08001 Barcelona
Tel: + 34.722 704 851
E-mail: lawrencepetera at blanquerna.url.edu