CACOR Live | Dr Elizabeth Anderson | A Battle for Hearts and Minds: Cognitive Warfare and Democratic Defence from Europe to Canada | 28 Jan 2026 at 13:30 EST
Raymond Leury
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Speaker: Elizabeth Anderson
Subject: Digital authoritarianism and the defence of democracy
Time: 28 January, 2026 13:30 Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Summary:
Our adversaries are targeting the cognitive domain: deliberately manipulating citizens' perception of reality to undermine democratic governance. The objective is not persuasion but paralysis—democracies that cannot think clearly cannot act collectively. Whether delivered through missiles on power grids or algorithmic manipulation, the target is always the same: the citizen's capacity to understand reality, trust institutions, and sustain political will.
Drawing on field research across 15 European countries, Elizabeth Anderson examines how frontline democracies have built practical defences against cognitive warfare. From Sweden's Psychological Defence Agency to Finland's world-leading societal resilience, from France's active defence model to Estonia's digital governance innovations, she identifies what works and what Canada can adapt.
At a moment of rupture in the international order—what Prime Minister Carney has called the end of a "pleasant fiction"—middle powers must build their strength at home and act together. The question is not whether we will face these challenges but instead, whether we will recognize these threats and act decisively to defend our democratic way of life.
Biography:
Elizabeth is a tenacious, intellectually curious, and passionate Canadian leader, dedicated to strengthening Canada’s role in the world through the renewal of its security architecture and the defence of democratic principles.
A former Fulbright Scholar, Elizabeth focuses on defending democracies in the digital age. Her work centres on cognitive and grey-zone warfare—particularly psychological and influence operations—and digital authoritarianism, ensuring that Canada, its Allies,
and partners are prepared for 21st-century threats across the cyber, space, and electromagnetic domains. She concentrates on three core themes: (1) cognitive and grey-zone warfare; (2) Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression and transatlantic security;
and (3) Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. Beyond these priorities, Elizabeth engages broadly with Canadian foreign and defence policy. She applies a whole-of-society approach—drawing on Finland’s comprehensive-security model—and advanced technologies,
including AI and quantum, to strengthen democratic resilience.
Elizabeth previously served as Director of Operations and Senior Advisor for International Security to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, and brings more than seven years’ experience across multiple Government of Canada portfolios.
Her work is guided by an abiding commitment to ensuring that Canada meets the challenges of a more dangerous world while upholding human rights, the rule of law, and democracy on the world stage.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Administration:
– The CACOR Sponsor is Jean Dougherty
– Please invite friends and colleagues.
– One brief question at a time please. Others are waiting.
– DO NOT post these Zoom credentials on social media.
– Suggestions for future speakers are solicited. Wednesdays starting on 22 April 2026 are available.
Raymond Leury
You are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Speaker: Patrick Chuang
Subject: What is and is not possible in a fossil-fuel free world?
Time: 04 Feb 2026 16:00 Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87451458845?pwd=fWJvN6Qq2I1i5fJlbYHF65kbqb8s71.1
Meeting ID: 874 5145 8845
Passcode: 396556
Summary:
A world whose energy mix excludes fossil fuels is highly desirable as it can stabilize climate. Many carbon-free energy sources, such as solar and wind, have the advantage that the "fuel" is free, as it is present-day sunlight. However, capturing, transforming, transporting and storing this energy is not free, and requires society to invest materials and energy into maintaining this energy infrastructure of, e.g., solar panels, a power grid, and batteries, which can be viewed as an "overhead" on modern society. In this talk, I will explore the material and energy constraints of a fossil-fuel free world, focusing on what these constraints imply for a society that is built upon this foundation.
Biography:
Dr. Patrick Chuang is a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz. He is an atmospheric scientist who primarily studies clouds, usually from research aircraft, and their impacts on climate, in addition to more recently doing research on the implications of a green energy transition. He has a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Science from the California Institute of Technology.
Administration:
– The CACOR Sponsor is Claude Buettner
– Please invite friends and colleagues.
– One brief question at a time please. Others are waiting.
– DO NOT post these Zoom credentials on social media.
– Suggestions for future speakers are solicited. Wednesdays starting on 22 April 2026 are available.
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