The fifth installment of Capitale Digitale, the round of debates organized by Telecom Italia, Fondazione Romaeuropa, the city of Rome and Wired magazine to discuss aspects of digital culture with leading international figures from diverse areas and sectors, will take place on Thursday, March 11 at 3:00 PM in the Sala della Regina at Palazzo Montecitorio.
The debate on “Internet and freedom – Why we must defend the net” will be introduced by a speech by Gianfranco Fini, speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, and will include a special lecture by Lawrence Lessig, director of Harvard University’s Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics and founder of the international Creative Commons organization, who will give his views on how the web is influencing the relationship between citizens and politics, increasing the circulation and visibility of data and, as a result, the responsibilities of individuals and institutions. Because it is based on open architecture, the Internet is by definition the place where the idea of democracy can be most thoroughly accomplished: Lessig will illustrate the ideals and realities, issues, challenges and opportunities of this process that is radically transforming the Western world.
A discussion panel moderated by Wired Italia editor Riccardo Luna will follow, with the participation of Telecom Italia CEO Franco Bernabè, Rome city councilor on cultural and communication policies Umberto Croppi, the Province of Milan’s head of innovation Fiorello Cortiana, Creative Commons Italy representative Juan Carlos De Martin, Democratic Party member of Parliament Paolo Gentiloni, Reeplay CEO Stefano Quintarelli and Vice Minister for Economic Development Paolo Romani.
A live webcast of the debate will be available at http://capitaledigitale.webcasting.it.
Capitale Digitale, inaugurated in September 2009, comprises several debates through which Telecom Italia – one of Italy’s most active promoters of innovation and digital culture - the Romaeuropa Foundation, the City of Rome and Wired magazine intend to favor the spread of digital culture in the Capital through encounters among the sector’s leading players.
The “Internet and freedom - Why we must defend the net” debate is organized in cooperation with Creative Commons and Centro Nexa, with the support of Rome’s Università La Sapienza (CATTID) and the Province of Rome.
Rome, 9 March 2010