Call for CSOs: Strengthening Advocacy and Communication on AI Ethics, Data and Digital Rights

Deadline: 2-Feb-25

The Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF) is offering a new training opportunity to increase public awareness and understanding of some of the human rights risks introduced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and in relation to Data and Digital Rights (DDR).

This course is designed to improve the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Mexico and Colombia to effectively launch and implement communication and advocacy strategies focused on issues related to AI and digital rights.

This initiative builds on TRF’s mission to support free, fair and informed societies and its expertise in using the power of journalism and the law to advance media freedom, promote inclusive economies and protect human rights.

The training will deepen participants’ knowledge on the principles of AI ethics, data privacy, and other digital rights issues. The course will cover a variety of topics, including the ethical implications of AI, data collection and protection, bias (and impartiality) in AI systems, regulatory gaps, AI and misinformation, and more. The program will include a mix of interactive sessions, expert guests, and practical exercises to achieve a dynamic and relevant training experience. TRF will deliver the hybrid training in Spanish, combining 1 day of online sessions, offline work, and 4 days of in-person sessions in Bogotá, Colombia.

Course Objectives

• To equip CSOs with the skills and tools to communicate clearly, accurately and confidently on data and AI ethics issues, boosting their ability to engage effectively with media and regulators to drive change.
• Enhance CSO advocacy efforts by equipping participants with strategy development and implementation skills.
• Strengthening the resilience of CSOs by facilitating access to free legal advice.

Course Results

• After the training, participants will be able to:
  • Design and implement effective communication and advocacy strategies;
  • Improve your communication and advocacy skills;
  • Increase your organizational resilience;
  • Gain support to produce high-impact advocacy tools;
  • Networking with journalists from Mexico and Colombia who report on these issues;
  • Increase knowledge on existing AI regulation in Latin America, international AI frameworks and standards, and advocacy approaches towards the development of human rights-based AI regulations;
  • Gain access to free legal assistance to conduct research with the aim of establishing public policy recommendations or identifying good practices;
  • Leverage the multi-stakeholder approach facilitated by the programme to promote collaboration, information sharing and coordination.

Logistics

• Online Training: Week of March 31
• Course structure: The course will begin with a half-day (4 hours) online training, where you will have the opportunity to meet the trainers and other course participants. This will be followed by four full days of in-person training in Bogotá, Colombia. During the in-person training, you will have the opportunity to meet and network with journalists working in this field, who will receive journalism training at the same time.
• Participation costs: Participation in this program is free of charge. If you live outside of Bogotá, travel expenses (e.g. flight) and accommodation will be covered by TRF. All participants will receive a modest stipend during the in-person training.

Who can apply?

• Applicants must work full-time for a civil society organization operating in Mexico or Colombia.
• Your role in the organization should include some communication skills.
• Applicants must have a minimum of two years’ professional experience and must explain in their application why they will benefit from participating in this course, and how they plan to use the learning in their professional work.
• Once selected, applicants will be asked to submit a letter from their organisation supporting their participation in the programme. TRF will only request such a letter once candidates have been selected for the course.
• Applicants must have access to a minimum internet speed of 8MB/second. Applicants will also need access to a computer to participate in online training; participation from a mobile or smartphone will not be possible.
• Preference will be given to applicants from organisations working on digital rights issues and who can explain how the training will enable their organisation to strengthen its work on human rights risks in relation to AI and digital rights.
• Organisations that are not successful in securing a place on the training may benefit from free legal assistance from the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s TrustLaw service. Applicants will be contacted by the TrustLaw team regarding this possible support.

For more information, visit Thomson Reuters Foundation.