Participants' input will be taken into account in the project's communications

Screenshot with some of the participants of GOLIAT's online workshop in Spain

Screenshot with some of the participants of the online workshop

Project GOLIAT held a two-hour online workshop in Spain on February 26. The session brought together 20 diverse participants to explore their views on 5G and how information about it should be communicated.

Participants represented a broad cross-section of Spanish society, from young professionals to retirees. Their backgrounds included education, research, public administration, consulting, telecommunications, IT, biomedicine, science communication, social services, and the pharmaceutical industry. The mix included public and private sector employees, researchers and freelancers, with a strong representation of women and experienced professionals. This diversity was critical, as preliminary GOLIAT findings (Task 6.2) indicate widespread misconceptions about 5G across demographic groups.

The interactive session included a focus group to explore participants’ perceptions and ideas about 5G, followed by a co-design session focused on how participants preferred to receive 5G information and the co-creation of effective communication channels and formats.

The workshop revealed a mix of anticipation and apprehension about 5G. While acknowledging potential benefits such as faster speeds and improved connectivity, participants expressed concerns about health risks, privacy, and control over the technology’s deployment. Key takeaways underscore the need for aspects such as transparent communication about ongoing research, especially long-term health effects, or independent research free from the influence of private actors. Addressing these concerns is critical to building public trust and fostering an informed dialogue between communities, regulators, and the telecommunications industry.

As a result, the workshop methodology will be documented in a playbook to ensure replicability and provide a foundation for future initiatives. In addition, the co-created messages and formats will inform the development of broader communication and dissemination efforts within WP8, helping to foster informed dialogue and citizen engagement.