Albulena Halili Mentors in the 2024 WMGIC x NATO Countering Disinformation Challenge

Albulena Halili, Leader of the Media Literacy & Disinformation Research Cluster at the Max van der Stoel Institute (MVDSI), served as a mentor in the 2024 William & Mary Global Innovation Challenge (WMGIC) x NATO Countering Disinformation Challenge. 

This event brought together hundreds of undergraduate students from 33 countries and nearly 200 universities, challenging them to propose policy-driven solutions for NATO to counter disinformation across key areas, including the Russia-Ukraine War, Artificial Intelligence, Public Health, Gender-Based Violence, Terrorism, Climate Change, and Human Rights.

In the Russia-Ukraine War stream, she guided students as they developed actionable strategies tailored to NATO’s existing capacity and mission, focusing on what actions NATO should implement within the next 12 months. The teams received detailed case studies prior to the challenge, allowing them to engage deeply with the issues at hand.

This mentoring role aligns with MVDSI’s commitment to advancing knowledge and innovative approaches in countering disinformation and enhancing democratic resilience. Halili’s participation highlights MVDSI’s dedication to connecting academic research with real-world impact, contributing to a global response to the disinformation challenges facing societies today.