Certificate Training in Disinformation and Cybersecurity at the OSCE Academy

Between 20 and 23 November 2024, the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, in partnership with CRISP, hosted an intensive Certificate Training programme focused on Disinformation and Cybersecurity. This four-day event brought together participants from various professional backgrounds to examine the complex relationship between digital media, public perception, and conflict. The training gave attendees essential tools to combat disinformation, improve media literacy, and enhance cybersecurity practices. By fostering collaboration among professionals dedicated to tackling challenges in the digital age, the programme encouraged a shared commitment to addressing these critical issues.

The first day of the training was officially opened by Dr. Pal Dunay, the Interim Director of the OSCE Academy, Ms. Kateryna Pavlova, the Chief Operating Officer and Trainer at CRISP and Dr. Rashid Gabdulkhakov, Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and also an alumnus of the OSCE Academy of 2013. The training began with introductory sessions on cybersecurity, focusing on its role in conflicts and the ethical considerations associated with digital spaces. Participants examined the intersection of cybersecurity with electoral processes and societal vulnerabilities. They gained a deeper understanding of these complex issues through discussions and hands-on exercises.

On the second day, Dr. Gabdulkhakov and Ms. Pavlova’s sessions concentrated on the role of digital media in shaping public perceptions and how simplified narratives can influence conflicts. Participants explored media literacy tools and strategies to address digital threats at both personal and state levels. The training included case studies highlighting successful changes in narratives and discussed the best practices for applying the lessons learned to real-world situations.

On the third day of the programme, participants engaged in a simulation game that required them to respond to a cyber threat from an external source while representing fictional states. This activity was designed to simulate a digital conflict scenario, allowing attendees to navigate various challenges and test their knowledge in a realistic environment. Through guided sessions, participants developed strategies to counter disinformation campaigns and strengthen digital security. The day concluded with a debriefing session for participants to reflect on the insights they gained.

The programme concluded with a ceremony outdoors in the Ethno-resort Supara Chunkurchak, where Dr. Dunay and Ms. Pavlova handed out certificates and expressed their gratitude to participants for their commitment to better digital literacy and cybersecurity in the region. Later participants were introduced to the local Kyrgyz cuisine and participated in the discussion moderated by Dr. Dunay on the current evolution of the international system and how it influences the region.

CRISP is an organization based in Berlin, Germany. It is one of the few organizations worldwide that develops and applies the method of simulation-gaming to the fields of conflict transformation, civic education, and citizen participation. Geographical areas of intervention are the South Caucasus, Ukraine, Central Asia, the Western Balkans, the MENA Region, and the EU.

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