Activism & Citizenship

In the age of social media, online activism has emerged as a transformative force in shaping political and social movements. Key authors such as Manuel Castells (Networks of Outrage and Hope) and Zeynep Tufekci (Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest) have explored how digital platforms enable rapid mobilization, global solidarity, and new forms of collective action.Additionally, Ethan Zuckerman (Digital Cosmopolitans) has previously written on the potential for digital tools to contribute to a global citizenship and cross-cultural understanding, while also addressing the challenges of echo chambers and algorithmic bias.

We also seek to rethink the concept of citizenship in the context of a globally interconnected, digitally mediated world. Drawing on the standard definition of digital citizenship as “the ability to participate in society online”, we aim to explore how digital technologies are reshaping civic engagement, identity, and belonging. Traditional notions of citizenship, tied to nation-states and territorial boundaries, are increasingly challenged by the digital, in which participation in these spaces – and therefore plausibly, rights and responsibilities – transcend geographic and political borders. We also address critical issues such as digital divides, data privacy, and the ethical implications of algorithmic governance. By reimagining citizenship for the digital age, we aim to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable global society.