Symposium in Crisis Management and Crisis Communication

Legal, Institutional and Societal Dimensions

Symposium Description

Modern societies are increasingly confronted with various forms of crises - from natural disasters and public health and security threats to political, institutional, and reputational crises. The way institutions manage crises and communicate with the public has a direct impact on public trust, the protection of human rights, and overall societal stability.

This symposium aims to provide a multidisciplinary perspective on crisis management and crisis communication, with a particular focus on legal frameworks, institutional responsibility, and the ethical dimensions of public communication in times of crisis. Special attention will be given to challenges in countries with complex political and administrative structures, as well as to the role of media and social networks in shaping crisis narratives.

Thematic Focus and Key Questions

• The concept and types of crises in modern society
• Legal frameworks for crisis management and states of emergency
• Institutional coordination and accountability in crises
• Crisis communication by public institutions
• Transparency, disinformation, and protection of citizens’ rights
• The role of media and digital platforms in crisis situations
• Ethics, human rights, and proportionality of measures
• Examples of good and bad practices from the region and globally

Target Audience and Interdisciplinarity

The symposium is intended for legal professionals, political scientists, communication experts, journalists, representatives of public administration, security and crisis management structures, civil society actors, as well as researchers working in the fields of public policy, human rights, and risk management.