As the European Union faces increasing challenges from external and internal actors aiming to undermine democratic processes, frontline border regions are particularly vulnerable to malign interference and disinformation campaigns. These areas often serve as the first line of defense against such threats, making their perspectives crucial in shaping effective countermeasures. We’ll also explore how the European Democracy Shield can support vulnerable democracies.

Agenda

9:00 – 10:00 Registration

Welcome coffee

10:00 – 10:10 Opening remarks

· Adam Szłapka, Minister for the European Union

10:10 – 11:00 Panel I

EU response to hybrid threat, and foreign information manipulation. Are EU actions fit to combat foreign interference?

· Marie- Hélène Boulanger, deputy Director General DG JUST, European Commission

· Christel Schaldemose, Danish MEP, S&D coordinator in the Special European Defence Shield Committee

· Martyna Bildziukiewicz, Deputy Head of Division, Strategic Communication and Coordination of Task Forces, EEAS

· Dominika Hajdu, Policy Director of the Center for Democracy & Resilience at Globsec

Moderator: Anna Słojewska, journalist and media literacy expert

11:00 – 11:15 Coffee break

11:15 – 12:05 Panel II

Local governments in the face of disinformation. Regions at the EU borders are particularly vulnerable to external malign interference and disinformation. How do local and regional authorities deal with these challenges, and how can the EU better support their preparedness and resilience?

Opening speech: Marcin Kuchciński, Marshal of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship

· Mikael Benzon, Member of Regional Municipality of Bornholm

· Simeon Dukic, Strong Cities Network (tbc)

· Thorsten Kohlisch, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Moderator: Anna Słojewska, journalist and media literacy expert

12:05 – 12:15 Concluding remarks

· Weronika Frydryszek, Representative to the Political and Security Committee and Deputy Head of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU

12:15 – 13:30 Networking lunch

Shielding EU democracy from malign interference and disinformation