Hello all, On March 21st, Nesta is hosting "*Reimagining the Internet, *a free evening event held in London on building radical new alternatives for a more democratic future internet. *I sent out a first note about this event a couple of weeks ago, but wanted to update you all on the confirmed speakers so far* This will be the first event in a series of provocations on how European citizens can retake control over the future of the internet. Register your interest here if you'd be interested in joining: https://www.nesta.org.uk/event/reimagining-internet *2017 was a crucial year of reckoning for the internet: from public outcry about the impact of fake news on our democracies, to the emerging risks of rule-by-algorithm. As the Dark Side of the internet is becoming increasingly clear, public demand for more accountable, democratic, more human alternatives is growing.* *But challenging existing dynamics won’t be easy. The internet finds itself dominated by two ruling narratives: the American one, where power is concentrated in the hands of just a few big players, and a Chinese model, where government surveillance appears to be the leitmotif. Between Big Tech and government control, where does this leave citizens?* - *Could Europe build the kind of alternatives that would put citizens back in the driver’s seat?* - *Rather than trying to build the next Google, should Europe focus on building the decentralised infrastructures that would prevent the next Google instead? * *This event is part of the Next Generation Internet initiative, the European Commission’s ambitious new flagship programme focused on building a more democratic, inclusive and resilient internet by 2025.* *We will bring together policymakers, civil society leaders, innovators, activists and everyone else involved with shaping and thinking about the future of the internet.* *Registration will open at 17:30 with the event starting promptly at 18:00. The event finishes at 19:30, and will be followed by networking drinks until 20:00.* *Confirmed speakers so far: * - *Professor John Naughton *- Technology Columnist at the Observer, Senior Research Fellow at Cambridge University & Emiritus Professor of the Public Understanding of Technology at the Open University - *Marleen Stikker *- Managing Director and Founder of The Waag Society - *Adam Rang -* Head of Location-Independent Investment, e-Residency programme, Government of Estonia - *Geoff Mulgan -* Chief Executive of Nesta - *Chi Onwurah MP (tbc)* - Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, Science and Innovation -- 58 Victoria Embankment London EC4Y 0DS www.nesta.org.uk | Newsletter <http://www.nesta.org.uk/newsletter_signup> | Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/nesta_uk> | LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1868227&goback=%2Egdr_1274367066783_1> | Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/pages/NESTA/116788428355432?v=wall&ref=sgm> This email and any attachments are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. Any use, copying or disclosure other than by the intended recipient is unauthorised. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via +44 (0)20 7438 2500 or by email to information@nesta.org.uk and delete this message and any copies from your computer and network. The views expressed in this email are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nesta. Nesta is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number 7706036 and charity number 1144091. Registered as a charity in Scotland number SC042833. Registered office: 58 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DS.