Utrecht Center Alum Will Examine Technology, Human Rights, and Democracy
From January to June 2012, Femke Halsema will hold the Treaty of Utrecht (Vrede van Utrecht) Visiting Chair at Utrecht University Centre for the Humanities. In her role as visiting professor, she will conduct research on the meaning of communication technology and social media for human rights and democracy.
Worldwide, the Internet connects people in powerful new ways and provides new opportunities for the dissemination of information and knowledge. The downside of social media however is that citizens can become vulnerable to surveillance from political regimes and intelligence services.
During her guest professorship, Halsema will address such questions as: Can communication technology, the Internet and social media play a key role in protecting human rights and ‘arming’ people against oppression and violence? Does ‘diplomacy 2.0’ have a future? How sustainable are social media and initiatives such as crowd sourcing and crowd funding? Can they play a meaningful role in supporting vulnerable citizens in emerging economies?
These topics fit in perfectly with the research themes of the Centre for the Humanities and the Treaty of Utrecht, which include social sustainability, cultural participation and responsible citizenship.
Lectures, Inaugural Address and Other Activities
Femke Halsema’s activities as Treaty of Utrecht professor will include public lectures, seminars and master classes in Utrecht. On March 8, she will participate with Professor Rosi Braidotti (Utrecht University Professor and director of the Centre for the Humanities) in a special International Women’s Day programme. Later in the spring she will give the Treaty of Utrecht public lecture; on May 25 she will present the spoken column during the annual Treaty Concert and on May 31 she will deliver her inaugural address.
Femke Halsema
Femke Halsema (1966) has an established track record as a politician and opinion maker. She was member of the Lower House for the GroenLinks party from 1998 to 2010 and party chairman from November 2002. Her previous work included her role at Wiardi-Baeckman Stichting (the PvdA research agency). She is alumnus of Utrecht University, having graduated in Law in 1993. She is currently active as an independent publicist, television producer and consultant.
Treaty of Utrecht Chair
The Treaty of Utrecht Chair is an initiative of the Province of Utrecht and is a joint venture between the Province, Treaty of Utrecht and the Utrecht University Centre for the Humanities. The Treaty of Utrecht was signed in 1713 and is considered to be the commencement of modern diplomacy. In 2013, the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht will be celebrated. The aim of the fixed-term professorship is to keep alive today the body of thought of the Treaty of Utrecht from 1713, which is typified by globalisation, world citizenship and cultural diversity. For more information, visit: www.uu.nl/vredevanutrechtleerstoel
