Joining forces against disinformation: humanitarian, peace and media actors' perspectives


Fondation Hirondelle

Session 315

Tuesday, 8 July 2025 13:00–13:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room F, Palexpo Media Interactive Session

How can the media sector join forces with the humanitarian and peace actors to prevent information disorder and disinformation to fragment further societies?

The panel will look at the the epistemic gap and discuss how can the media sector join forces with the humanitarian and peace actors to prevent information disorder and disinformation to fragment further societies.

This session will bring together:

This session will bring together:

🔹 Hanspeter Wyss, Thematic Advisor Governance, Swiss Cooperation
🔹 Philippe Stoll, Senior Techplomacy Delegate, ICRC
🔹 Itonde Kakoma, President and CEO, Interpeace
🔹 Tammam Aloudat, CEO, The New Humanitarian

🔹 Caroline Vuillemin, Director general, Fondation Hirondelle

We will look at the current information disorder and the fact that disinformation has been rated the #1 threat by the WEF in 2025.

The Swiss cooperation will explain why the triple nexus (peace, humanitarian and development) is key when dealing with disinformation. 
An understanding of the situation and actions taken by the Humanitarian sector against this threat will be shared by the ICRC.
An understanding of the situation and actions taken by peacebuilding actors will be shared by Interpeace.
Finally, the New Humanitarian will explore what the media can do? The role of media against disinformation.

We will discuss how the 3 sectors can join forces to prevent further fragmentation of the societies and more harm affecting the local populations?  and explore options of joint efforts or actions, coalition or alliances.
 

Q&A with the public and Wrap up

Panellists
Mr. Hanspeter Wyss Thematic Advisor Governance Swiss Cooperation (SDC)

Mr. Philippe Stoll Senior Techplomacy Delegate ICRC

Mr. Tammam Aloudat CEO The New Humanitarian

Mr. Itonde Kakoma President and CEO Interpeace

Ms. Caroline Vuillemin General Director Fondation Hirondelle Moderator

Topics
Artificial Intelligence Capacity Building Digital Divide Human Rights Media
WSIS Action Lines
  • AL C9 logo C9. Media

The session will demonstrate the key role of media and information integrity to enable social cohesion and support the efforts of humanitarian and peace workers.

Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 5 logo Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Goal 6 logo Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
  • Goal 13 logo Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • Goal 16 logo Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies

Humanitarian and Peace actors are working for equitable access: access to basic needs, such as water and protection against climate change for instance, as well as protection from violence for a more peaceful world.

Media are essential in informing the populations about these efforts, and in giving people a voice so that they can express their real needs, their fears and questions. Through information and dialogues amoung actors, we can achieve more peaceful and just societies.

Links

https://www.hirondelle.org/en/s-adapter-a-l-evolution-des-besoins-d-information-mediation-n-14-decembre-2024-2 

https://www.hirondelle.org/en/reaching-hard-to-reach-communities-using-whatsapp-to-give-conflict-affected-audiences-a-voice

https://x.com/FondHirondelle

https://www.facebook.com/fondationhirondelle