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Med-Or Hosts the Fourth Day of the Executive Peer Learning Mission on Electoral Leadership, AI Governance, and Cyber Resilience
Med-Or hosted a thematic session dedicated to cybersecurity and the protection of electoral infrastructure as part of an initiative developed in collaboration with ECES, MAECI, the African Union, AAEA, Luiss, and the Imagine the Change Foundation
On May 7, 2026, the Med-Or Italian Foundation hosted, at its headquarters, a training day focused on cybersecurity and the protection of critical electoral infrastructure, within the framework of the Executive Peer Learning Mission – Italy Electoral Leadership, AI Governance & Cyber Resilience.
The electoral commissions of the priority countries of the Mattei Plan took part in the meeting, together with representatives of the African Association of Electoral Authorities (AAEA), which comprises 45 members, as well as the regional networks of Central, West, Southern, and East Africa, thereby ensuring comprehensive representation of the entire African continent and its electoral commissions. The meeting represented a key moment of the mission, reaffirming Med-Or’s commitment to promoting international dialogue and strengthening expertise on strategic issues such as democratic resilience.
The meeting represented a central moment of the mission, reaffirming Med-Or’s commitment to promoting international dialogue and strengthening expertise on strategic issues such as democratic resilience.
During the morning session, experts from the National Cybersecurity Agency presented Italy’s national framework on cybersecurity, with particular reference to the protection of electoral processes and relevant international standards. Key threat scenarios were examined, including ransomware attacks, data breaches, and external interference, along with corresponding prevention and response measures.
In the afternoon, the session featured contributions from Leonardo’s Cyber & Security Solutions Division, with a focus on human oversight and the mitigation of risks related to artificial intelligence in electoral systems. “Human-in-the-loop” models, security standards, and case studies related to influence operations and disinformation were discussed.
The initiative was carried out as part of the Pro-Electoral Integrity programme, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and implemented by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), in partnership with the African Union Commission and the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA). It forms part of a broader set of activities supported by Med-Or to promote international cooperation and the exchange of best practices among institutions, experts, and stakeholders.
Throughout the five days, key topics related to electoral governance, digital transformation, and security were addressed, with a focus on the impact of artificial intelligence, the protection of electoral integrity, and the role of media in countering disinformation. Particular attention was also given to strengthening the resilience of democratic systems through the exchange of European and African experiences.
