DigitHarium Events 1 February 2021 14:00

Digital Dilemmas Debate #1: Balancing the benefits and risks of digitalization in public health emergencies

Video

Speakers & panellists

Helen Alderson
Host

Helen Alderson

Head of Regional Delegation, UK and Ireland (ICRC)

Massimo Marelli
Co-editor

Massimo Marelli

Head of Data Protection Office (ICRC)

Stuart Campo
Moderator

Stuart Campo

Team Lead for Data Responsibility (OCHA Centre for Humanitarian Data)

Carmela Troncoso
Speaker

Carmela Troncoso

Assistant Professor in Computer Science (EPFL)

Ana Beduschi
Speaker

Ana Beduschi

Associate Professor of Law (University of Exeter)

Garrett Mehl
Speaker

Garrett Mehl

Unit Head, Digital Health Technology, Department of Digital Health and Innovations (WHO)

About the event

How are digital technologies and data being leveraged to support the responses to COVID-19 around the world? Has the pandemic accelerated our use of experimental technologies? How can we balance the benefits and risks introduced or amplified by these technologies while protecting rights to privacy and medical confidentiality?

Building on the first Digital Dilemmas Dialogue, we have invited policy, public health and technology experts to explore the many facets of technologies used to respond to health emergencies. The debate will focus on the COVID pandemic as a global case study, with a particular emphasis on digital health passports that many public health authorities are currently designing and deploying. Our speakers will offer insights on how to balance the risks and benefits of these technologies while enabling a better public health response and upholding the rights of affected people.

The discussion will be the second event of the January thematic path - COVID-19 and Digital Response.

The series

The Digital Dilemmas Debates are a series of roundtable discussions between prominent experts and stakeholders from different sectors about the humanitarian digital transformation, its implications and the work ahead. Each month, they will explore a different type or trend in the technologies used to respond to various types of crisis, and offer reflections on what is coming next.

The Digital Dilemmas Debates are an initiative of the DigitHarium.

Date & Time

1 February 2021 14:00

Venue address

Online