OLLI Fab Fridays Lunch & Learn Lectures: ‘China, Surveillance Technology & Human Rights’ with Jonathan Tetzlaff

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville will host Jonathan Tetzlaff to discuss ‘China, Surveillance Technology & Human Rights’ as part of its Fab Friday series on Friday, April 23.

China’s aggressive use of surveillance technology has garnered international attention in recent years, with many observers expressing concern that these tools are being used in ways that restrict human rights and seek to restrict political activity in Hong Kong, western China, and elsewhere.

Jonathan has visited China on multiple occasions over the years.  His first visit was in 1992, just three years after the Tiananmen Square protests when the country was largely undeveloped.  One of the poorer countries in the world at the time, China has — in only 30 years — become the world’s second-largest economy.  According to many sources, China has lifted more people out of poverty than any other country in history:  800 million people, an unparalleled achievement.

In this fast-paced and fact-filled presentation, Jonathan will outline how technology is being used in China, with a particular focus on the Uyghur population.  He will display specific tools used by authorities to monitor the population and outline ways in which China has exported these tools to countries around the world.

Jonathan C. Tetzlaff has been involved with international risk management since 1980.  Throughout his career, he has managed and consulted on complex situations and problems for government agencies, corporate entities, and educational institutions. Jonathan has been traveling periodically to China for over 25 years; his first visit was in 1992 (just three years after the Tiananmen Square incident).  Jonathan has a B.A. in International Relations and an M.A. in U.S. and Comparative Foreign Policy, as well as a CISSP, CBRM, and MBCI. His post-graduate study includes “certificate courses” at institutions including MIT and Georgetown University.  Jonathan will also touch on surveillance and free speech issues related to the COVID-19 virus and the ongoing protests in Hong Kong.

Register at this link. Once you have registered, you will receive a link to join.