HEMISPHERES is a European Commission project in which UIC Barcelona participates alongside other educational and civil society institutions. In October, following months of joint efforts between all research groups, the network presented its first series of publications, available on the website hemispheres.digital. These include the article “Inverting the Brussels Effect: What the EU Can Learn from Latin America in Digital Governance”, which analyses the so-called “Brussels Effect”, i.e. the EU’s ability to shape global markets and standards through regulation.
The report, drafted in partnership with the Tum Think Tank, shows that while the EU is moving towards a comprehensive, top-down regulatory model for digital governance, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries have leveraged their distinct institutional, economic and legal capacities to develop pragmatic approaches adapted to their context. These experiences, centred around community and citizen empowerment, offer a valuable counterpoint for Europe. The LAC region also continues to draw inspiration from the institutional strength and procedural maturity of European frameworks.
According to the publication's conclusions, initiatives from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina “prioritise inclusion and community empowerment” in digital regulation. The network points out that LAC countries adopt “innovative, context-driven and rights-based approaches”, while the EU implements “institutionalised, comprehensive frameworks”. The report advocates for “digital cooperation” and proposes creating a “sandbox federation” in which both regions can learn from each other and experiment in legislative matters. The authors also propose a collaborative approach to the digital security of young people, one that moves beyond “restrictive measures”.
The Faculty of Communication Sciences played a key role in the HEMISPHERES Forum held in July 2025 in Germany, on emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, internet use, digital platforms, privacy and youth and the media. Participants from UIC Barcelona included teaching staff members Ana María Castillo, Núria Roca, Isadora García, Lara Martín, Joan Hernández, Pedro Sigaud and doctoral student Aya Ahmed. Their presence at the forum underscored the Faculty’s commitment to international discussion on the social, cultural and regulatory impact of technology.
The HEMISPHERES project plans to hold upcoming forums in Brazil (2026) and Colombia (2027), expanding cooperation and exchange between the two regions in the field of digital governance.
