What kind of place is the Oslo Freedom Forum? An easy-to-understand explanation of this important conference that considers "freedom" and "human rights" around the world!
Hello, I'm John, and I'll be sharing the latest news on blockchain technology (a new system for safely recording and managing information together) in a way that's easy to understand even for beginners! I usually talk about the latest technology, but today I'd like to change the topic a bit and introduce you to the Oslo Freedom Forum, a conference held every year in Norway that is attracting worldwide attention.
When you hear the term "Free Forum," some of you may think, "That sounds difficult..." or "It doesn't have anything to do with me...". However, the things discussed at this conference are actually connected to very important themes for the society we live in and the future that lies ahead. Let's take a closer look at the appeal of this forum, including how new technologies such as blockchain, my specialty, are involved in this discussion!
A place where stories of courage, oppression and hope come together
In a word, the Oslo Freedom Forum is a special place where people from all over the world who are courageously working for freedom and human rights (basic rights that people are born with and cannot be taken away by anyone) gather. This year marks the 17th anniversary of the conference, and it has a long history and a proven track record.
The greatest feature of this forum is that it allows you to hear the "real voices" that you cannot get from textbooks or the news alone. The stories of people from various countries and regions who stuck to their beliefs, even at times feeling their lives were in danger, deeply touch the hearts of those who hear them.
For example, the following speakers will be sharing their experiences:
- Human rights activist: Activists continue to speak out against injustice and discrimination in their own countries. They fight every day to protect people's rights, refusing to succumb to pressure or intimidation from the government. We will talk about the specific activities they carry out, the struggles they face as they continue their work, and the hope that supports them.
- Independent Journalists: Journalists try to expose hidden truths and corruption perpetrated by power that are not reported by the major media. How do they gather information and share it with the world when freedom of reporting is restricted? This program will highlight the difficulties and importance of doing so.
- Exiled artists: Artists who have fled countries where freedom of expression is not tolerated and continue to work overseas. Through their artworks, including music, paintings, films and literature, they express the situation in their home countries and their desire for freedom, and raise issues for the international community.
- Technologist: It will also feature experts developing new technologies and proposing how they can help protect human rights.
What they talk about sometimes is the harsh reality of "oppression" (when the freedom of individual opinion and action is forcibly suppressed by powerful forces such as the state). However, at the same time, it also gives a strong sense of the "courage" of people who never give up no matter how difficult the situation, and the "hope" they have for the future, making it an extremely valuable learning opportunity.
Is technology an ally of freedom? A "tool" for protecting civil rights
At the Oslo Freedom Forum, in addition to the stories of these activists, there will be lively discussions about the tools available to protect civil liberties (basic rights and freedoms that each individual has). Traditional demonstrations and petitions are of course important, but in modern society, new technology can be a very powerful force.
So what specific tools are attracting attention?
- Secure Communication Technology: For example, apps and methods of communication that encrypt messages to prevent them from being intercepted by eavesdroppers or monitored by governments are essential tools for activists to communicate and plan securely with each other - just like the secret scrolls of the ninjas of old!
- Information dissemination platforms that circumvent censorship: In some countries, "censorship" (when a government or other organization checks information and restricts its disclosure) is practiced to prevent information that is inconvenient for the government from being viewed on the Internet. Technology and services that allow people to get around such censorship and freely disseminate information or access information from around the world are also important tools.
- Technologies that protect your privacy: Technology that protects personal information, such as who did what, when and where, from being collected or misused without the individual's knowledge, is also essential for free activity.
- New Financial Technologies (Fintech): And as can be seen from the publication in which this article was published, "Bitcoin Magazine," crypto-assets (also known as virtual currencies) such as "Bitcoin (a type of digital money that can be used on the Internet. It uses a P2P system that allows direct transactions with people all over the world without a central administrator such as a specific country or bank)" and blockchain technology, which is my specialty, are also being discussed as having great potential as tools to support freedom.
The reason why technologies like Bitcoin are attracting attention is that, for example, there are cases where support funds for activists or organizations that are being unfairly oppressed by the government cannot be sent or are seized through the traditional banking system. However, by using a system like Bitcoin that allows direct P2P (person-to-person) remittances, it is possible to circumvent such censorship and restrictions and deliver the necessary funds. In countries with economic instability where the value of the national currency is plummeting, it is sometimes used as a safe haven to protect assets. Of course, no technology is perfect, and challenges and risks need to be discussed, but it is very interesting that new technologies like this can be a means to promote people's economic freedom and freedom of activity.
This is not a story from a faraway country! It's a matter of facing our own "freedom"
You may feel that a conference held in Norway is something from a faraway world. However, the themes discussed at the Oslo Freedom Forum, such as freedom and human rights, transcend national borders and are in fact deeply connected to the lives and values of each and every one of us.
Think about it. In Japan, we take for granted the ability to "express our opinions freely," "read the books we like," and "go wherever we want." These things may not be commonplace in many parts of the world. By coming into contact with the stories told in this forum,
- We can reaffirm the value of our freedom: It allows us to once again feel how precious the rights and freedoms we possess are and how they should be protected, something that is difficult to think about in our daily lives.
- Discover the diverse realities of the world: You will learn concretely that there are people in the world who are living in difficult situations beyond our imagination, but who have not given up hope. This may broaden your perspective and change the way you see the world.
- It fosters empathy and solidarity: Being exposed to the suffering and courage of others gives you the opportunity to empathize with them and think about what you can do to help. Even if you are far away, you will feel that you are connected to them as fellow human beings.
- You may find some hints for a better society: The challenges people in other countries face and the wisdom and ingenuity they use to overcome them can sometimes provide us with hints for how to improve the society in which we live.
The Oslo Freedom Forum is not just a place to listen to talks. It provides a valuable opportunity to learn about the current state of the world, to experience the courage and passion of the people working there, and to think deeply about our own "freedom" and "human rights."
Author's note
The article about the Oslo Freedom Forum that I introduced this time was short, but I couldn't help but feel the great significance behind it. There are many people in the world who continue to raise their voices every day in areas where the freedoms we enjoy are not taken for granted. And if new technology can help these people's activities a little more safely and effectively, I strongly feel that this is one of the wonderful possibilities of technology. We too should be grateful for the "ordinary" things around us, take a greater interest in world events, and continue to think about what we can do.
This article is based on the following original articles and is summarized from the author's perspective:
The 30,000-Foot View of the Oslo Freedom Forum