CONFERENCE IN LISBON
The organizing team of the European project Citizens and Libraries against Disinformation (CLAD) from Portugal and Slovakia met between 25 and 27 November in Lisbon. On the afternoon of 26 November an international conference dedicated to the themes of the project took place at Torre do Tombo, the national archive of Portugal.
From November 25th to 27th, the CLAD Project team gathered for an international conference at the Goethe-Institut and at Torre do Tombo, the national archive of Portugal in Lisbon. The first day welcomed participants at the Goethe-Institut, where libraries and community centers from Portugal and Slovakia shared their 2025 project proposals in a dynamic Pecha Kucha format. The evening ended with a social dinner, fostering further idea exchange.
On the morning of November 26th, the coordinating team presented the project's next steps and expectations, followed by a consensus on new topic that will be addressed throughout the project - mental health and well-being. The public conference in the afternoon attracted around 100 attendees and included two discussion panels. The first panel explored the role of libraries in promoting democracy and citizenship, highlighting key documents like the European Commission's report "Culture and Democracy, the Evidence" and the "Rough Guide to Citizen Engagement in Public Libraries."
The panel discussed strategies for libraries to address topics like minorities, the environment, housing, and European identity, challenging them to become platforms for debate and inclusion. The second panel, titled "Disinformation and Critical Thinking: What Role for Public Libraries?" addressed the challenge of maintaining libraries as trusted spaces while combating disinformation. Strategies included partnerships with fact-checkers and journalists, promoting media literacy, and using digital tools for information verification.
The conference was a valuable opportunity to share experiences and reinforce the role of libraries in building a more informed and inclusive society. It concluded with a social dinner and a technical visit to the Marvila Library, showcasing initiatives for citizen participation and democratic inclusion.
On the morning of November 26th, the coordinating team presented the project's next steps and expectations, followed by a consensus on new topic that will be addressed throughout the project - mental health and well-being. The public conference in the afternoon attracted around 100 attendees and included two discussion panels. The first panel explored the role of libraries in promoting democracy and citizenship, highlighting key documents like the European Commission's report "Culture and Democracy, the Evidence" and the "Rough Guide to Citizen Engagement in Public Libraries."
The panel discussed strategies for libraries to address topics like minorities, the environment, housing, and European identity, challenging them to become platforms for debate and inclusion. The second panel, titled "Disinformation and Critical Thinking: What Role for Public Libraries?" addressed the challenge of maintaining libraries as trusted spaces while combating disinformation. Strategies included partnerships with fact-checkers and journalists, promoting media literacy, and using digital tools for information verification.