On March 6, Ambassador Roy Chun Lee was invited by Eurotech Universities Alliance to join the panel discussion “Cracking the code: How can we protect and empower our society?” in the seminar “Bytes and Ballots: How Technology Shapes Democracy in 2024”.
The aim of this seminar, which is part of Eurotech’s annual events, is to discover what is technologically possible in 2024 and beyond, and to discuss how to collectively build and defend a resilient society. Ambassador Lee cited the proverb " A long-time illness makes one a good doctor." as a reference to Taiwan’s experience of cyberattacks and election interference in information space, particularly during the presidential election period. The way to deal with this is to establish a "zero trust" for internet security, to work with citizen groups and the government to check the facts, and, most fundamentally, to promote media literacy education.
Regardless of fake news or conspiracy theories, it is extremely important to respond immediately. Taiwan has adopted the "3X2" response principle, whereby any false or distorted information must be responded to within two hours, with an explanation of the error in 200 words, and shown in 2 photographs or diagrams. We need to use facts and truths to maintain a democratic society. The government needs to publicize and debunk disinformation. Political and media "transparency" thus plays a key role.
Other panellists include President of Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Thierry Coulhon, President of European Research Council, European Commission, Maria Leptin, Meta EU Affairs Public Policy Manager Lara Levet and President of Eindhoven University of Technology, Robert-Jan Smits. All of them shared their specific viewpoints toward debunking fake news and keeping democracy and resilience in a society.
Eurotech Universities Alliance is composed of 6 leading universities of science and technology in Europe: Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Eindhoven University of Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Technical University of Munich, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, joining forces to build a strong, sustainable, sovereign, and resilient Europe.
