Virtual Event – As digitization transforms education and social interactions, students from Leiden University, Helsinki University, and the Jagiellonian University came together under the banner of Future UniLab to tackle the pressing question: What does it mean to be human in a digital world? Hosted as part of Una Europa’s think-tank initiative, the event offered a platform for young voices to explore the intersections of technology, identity, and humanity in increasingly virtual spaces.
A Debate on Humanity in the Digital Age
The virtual debate encouraged participants to navigate thought-provoking dilemmas and share diverse perspectives on how digital environments influence learning, relationships, and cultural expressions. Guided by prompts and challenges, students examined the balance between technological innovation and the preservation of human connection.
Virtual Reality (VR) technology played a pivotal role in the event, pushing the boundaries of traditional conferencing and offering immersive ways to engage with the topic. This innovative approach emphasized the potential for collective and embodied interactions in virtual settings.
Insights from the Visionary Team
The debate also built upon ongoing discussions led by the Visionary Team, which has been exploring the concept of “Being Human in a Digital World” for months. The team’s reflections, coupled with insights from the student debate, will be presented at the end of November and made available on Una Europa’s channels, promising fresh perspectives on humanity’s role in digital spaces.
A Shared Focus on Immersion and Perspectives
Similar to the goals of the IMPULSE project, the student debate underscored the importance of creating immersive, collaborative experiences to explore complex questions. The event highlighted how virtual environments can foster empathy, broaden perspectives, and enhance our understanding of what it means to navigate digital worlds as humans.
Collaborators and Contributors
This initiative brought together key contributors, including:
- Helsinki University
- Leiden University
- Jagiellonian University
- Marcin Klimek & Exploded View
- Future UniLab (on X @Future_UniLab)
- Una Europa
By amplifying student voices and experimenting with cutting-edge VR technology, the Being Human in a Digital World debate offered an exciting glimpse into the future of education and digital interaction.
Stay tuned for the Visionary Team’s insights, which promise to redefine how we view humanity in an ever-digitized world. For more updates, follow Una Europa and Future UniLab channels.
