Edgelands Maps: Mapping My Spaces from Security and Surveillance

In today's world, our actions and interactions with governments, as well as with other individuals and organizations, are conducted by explicit and implicit agreements that form the basis of the social contract. These agreements often involve trade-offs between personal freedoms and security, both in our physical environments, such as cities, and in the vast digital landscape encompassing networks and platforms. Edgelands Maps is a thought-provoking workshop series organized by the Edgelands Institute, where we delve into the intricacies of the modern social contract and the evolving dynamics of security and surveillance in our physical and digital spaces. Through interactive discussions and activities, we bridge theory and real-life experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of these complex issues. Our workshop guides are accessible to anyone interested in our activities. You can click here to read them in English, French or Spanish.

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Edgelands Maps, a unique space facilitated by the Edgelands Institute, serves as the backdrop for these workshops. Over the course of engaging sessions, participants had the opportunity to explore diverse perceptions and understandings of security based on their own experiences. Through interactive discussions and activities, we collectively identified spaces and situations that evoke feelings of security or insecurity, and critically examined the role of digital technologies in either enhancing or exacerbating security concerns within our communities. Designed for young individuals, these workshops equiped participants with the tools to critically analyze the agreements that shape their lives and freedoms. By creating a safe and inclusive environment, we encourage participants to openly discuss and share their insights, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding these issues.

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