On October 22, the “2024 China-Europe Human Rights Seminar” took place in Berlin, Germany, with a focus on “Emerging Rights Protections: Perspectives from China and Europe.” The event brought together multiple experts to discuss the challenges of safeguarding human rights in the digital age.
Zhang Yonghe, the Executive Director of the Human Rights Research Institute at Southwest University of Political Science and Law, emphasized that the advancement of digital technology introduces new ethical dilemmas, such as privacy concerns, data security, and the moral decision-making of artificial intelligence. He suggested that philosophers need to explore how to balance technological advancements with human values, ensuring that technology is used in alignment with ethical standards.
Li Wenjun, an associate professor at the same institute, highlighted that rights protection in the digital era must adhere to the value concept of “diversity for good.” He stressed the importance of balancing various digital interests while maintaining limited rationality and fundamental human-centered value care. The ultimate goal, he argued, is to ensure that technology serves humanity. Moreover, he pointed out that protecting human rights in this digital age should not only focus on technological development but also empower vulnerable groups through education and cultural activities, facilitating their transition from “digital existence” to “digital citizenship.”
Hu Yajuan, Director of the News Release Research Center at the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, remarked that social media has proven to play an increasingly critical role in safeguarding global human rights. She proposed that China and Europe could engage in regular exchanges of experiences regarding how social media can empower human rights protections, sharing best practices validated by real-world experience. This collaboration, she argued, would enhance the role of social media in protecting human rights for both Chinese and European citizens, as well as people worldwide. Furthermore, she advocated for increased cooperation within the international community, including China and Europe, to promote access to and the proliferation of the internet in developing countries, enabling them to benefit from the advancements of digital technology. This, in turn, would provide foundational support for social media efforts in global human rights protection and the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Guo Min, a research assistant and doctoral student at the Human Rights Research Center of Central South University, noted that while social media offers new spaces for expression, the underlying algorithmic mechanisms, data commodification, and discourse control complicate the protection of rights for vulnerable groups. She maintaining that a profound understanding of social media’s dual role in empowering and jeopardizing these rights is essential to harness its empowering potential while minimizing inherent risks, thereby ensuring that technology truly serves the greater good.
The China-Europe Human Rights Seminar, established in 2015, serves as a structured academic platform for exchanges and cooperation in the area of human rights between China and Europe. The current seminar was co-hosted by the China Human Rights Research Society and Central South University, with the Human Rights Research Center of Central South University and the China Cultural Foundation in Germany organizing the event, in collaboration with the University of Münster and the International Philosophical Society.
