How to Navigate Information Overload and Cope in a Crisis

There is more information around us than ever before, so it is increasingly important to approach it critically. News portals, social media, various organisations and individuals compete for our attention, and this flow of information includes inaccurate, misleading and deliberately distorted content. We will explore how today’s information environment works, why false and misleading information spreads, and how attempts are made to influence us. We will discuss the attention economy, social media platforms and algorithms, making money by distorting information, and the role information plays in influence operations between countries and in hybrid warfare.

Then we will turn to what we can do ourselves. We will look at how to assess the reliability of information and sources, find high-quality information, and navigate scientific information. We will discuss the role of journalism, the actions taken by Estonia and the European Union to address information disorders, and the part each of us and our communities can play in strengthening information resilience. The training is not limited to lectures: there will also be group discussions and practical exercises throughout the day.

The training day also includes the Estonian Rescue Board’s “Residents’ Emergency Preparedness”, or ABC of Civil Protection, training. It provides basic knowledge on preparing for and acting in different crises, including situations where regular services may not be available. The Estonian Rescue Board’s training covers, among other things, interruptions to essential services, emergency supplies, hazard alerts, sheltering and evacuation.

Programme:
12:30–13:00 Gathering, coffee and a light snack
13:00–14:30 ABC of Civil Protection
Trainer Merle Liba, Estonian Rescue Board
14:30–14:45 Break
14:45–16:15 Information overload, the attention economy and information disorders: who misleads us, how and why?
Trainer Maia Klaassen
16:15–16:30 Break
16:30–18:00 Information resilience: how to find your way through the information maze?
Trainer Maia Klaassen

Who is it for?
The training is intended for community leaders and members from the counties of Tartu, Võru, Valga, Viljandi, Põlva and Jõgeva. By communities, we primarily mean local communities—for example, village and neighbourhood associations and apartment associations—but representatives of other organisations and local governments are also welcome. Several people from the same community may attend, but we ask each participant to register separately.

The training day is delivered by Tartu Rahvaülikool and is part of the action plan “Implementing a Community-Centred Approach 2023–2026”, carried out under the Ministry of the Interior’s strategic partnership. The plan was developed and is being implemented by the Estonian Association of Folk High Schools (MTÜ Eesti Rahvaülikoolide Liit) and the Association of County Development Centres (MTÜ Maakondlikud Arenduskeskused), in cooperation with the Institute of Social Studies at the University of Tartu, the Estonian Cooperation Assembly (SA Eesti Koostöö Kogu) and OÜ Toimevõimendi. Read more.