Interdisciplinary Ideation Workshop for Signature e-Collecting System in Switzerland

Wednesday, June 3rd, 5th or 10th, 2025, 09h-13h30 (tbc),
BC 410, EPFL

Introduction

The transition towards digital solutions in Swiss democratic processes, such as e-collecting of signatures for initiatives and referenda, presents both opportunities and challenges. With increasing concerns about fraud, privacy, and data security, there is a pressing need to develop a trustworthy and resilient e-collecting platform. The Center for Digital Trust (C4DT) at EPFL aims to contribute to this endeavor by organizing an ideation workshop that leverages interdisciplinary expertise and collaborative insights.

This event is by invitation only and organized by the Center for Digital Trust (C4DT), EPFL in collaboration with the Federal Chancellery.

Objectives:

  • To gather interdisciplinary perspectives on the challenges, requirements, and key ingredients for the successful implementation of a secure e-collecting system.
  • To facilitate knowledge exchange and collaborative brainstorming among academics, government bodies, and civil society representatives.
  • To identify actionable steps and strategic partnerships needed to drive the development and adoption of the e-Collection of Signatures

Target Participants:

  • Academics specializing in law, digital ethics, data security, cryptography, and blockchain.
  • Representatives from Swiss government bodies.
  • Civil society organizations.

This workshop serves to identify the building blocks needed to establish a trustworthy and resilient signature e-collecting system in Switzerland. By bringing together experts and stakeholders, the C4DT aims to foster collaboration that will fortify Switzerland’s future of digital democracy.

Agenda

  • 9:00 – 9:15 : Welcome and Introduction
    Opening remarks and workshop objectives by C4DT.
  • 9:15 – 9:45 : System Overview
    Presentation: “Challenges and Opportunities in Current Signature Collection Processes” by the Federal Chancellery
  • 09:45 – 12:00 : Expert-led Thematic Discussions
    to discuss the building blocks for a trustworthy Signature e-Collecting System

    Part 1
    • Public Trust and Engagement
      This discussion will explore strategies to build and maintain public trust in the e-collecting platform. Discussions could focus on transparency measures, effective communication, and user-centric design to promote broader participation. Participants might address accessibility challenges, develop educational campaigns to inform the public, and create channels for public feedback to adapt processes to evolving needs. Strategies for countering misinformation and balancing digital and paper processes might also be considered, alongside leveraging community partnerships to encourage engagement and participatory governance.
      This discussion will be guided by civil society [tba].
    • Ethical Considerations
      Participants will discuss ethical principles to guide the e-collecting platform’s development, focusing on fairness, accountability, and transparency. The discussion could cover informed consent, user autonomy, and measures to ensure equity and inclusion, addressing the digital divide and preventing discrimination. Participants could explore roles and responsibilities for upholding ethical standards and establish accountability mechanisms to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines. The session aims to embed these considerations into the platform’s governance and operational framework.
      A digital ethicist [tba] will facilitate this discussion.
  • Coffee break (10:45 to 11:00)

    Part 2
    • Technological Building Blocks
      This session will delve into the technological components necessary for a secure and efficient e-collecting platform. Discussions could cover embedding privacy-by-design principles, leveraging advanced security mechanisms and cryptographic methods, including secure multiparty computation and zero-knowledge proofs, and mitigating potential cyber threats. Participants might explore approaches for user data management, integration with existing digital infrastructures such as eID systems, and achieving scalability and performance to handle national demands. The session might also identify innovative opportunities for future-proofing the platform, including AI applications in signature verification.
      This discussion will be led by a technology expert [tba].
  • 12:00 – 12:30 : Open Discussion
    Synthesize insights from thematic discussions and explore collaborative opportunities.
  • 12:30 – 12:45 : Conclusion and Next Steps
    Summarize key outcomes and present actionable steps.
    Closing remarks.
  • 12:45 – 13:30 : Standing Lunch and Networking
    Opportunity for informal networking and continued discussions.

Participants

  • to be confirmed