CEP Symposium
5 NOVEMBER 2026 | BUMP – BRUSSELS
“From Protection to Empowerment – Shaping Consumer Agency in the Age of AI and Digital Fairness”
On 5 November 2026, the Consumer Empowerment Project celebrated five years of meaningful dialogue at its flagship CEP Symposium in Brussels. Bringing together European policymakers, consumer organisations, industry representatives, researchers and digital innovators, the event explored how to move from consumer protection to genuine empowerment in the age of AI. From digital fairness and the Digital Markets Act to the impact of AI agents on consumer choices, the Symposium offered a platform for exchanging perspectives, addressing emerging challenges and reflecting on five years of collaboration and achievements. Above all, it celebrated the growing CEP community and its shared commitment to shaping a fairer digital future.
Watch
5 Years of CEP: The Power of Dialogue
What is the greatest achievement of the Consumer Empowerment Project after five years?
For Marco Scialdone, CEP Director, the answer is clear: the community built around a shared commitment to meaningful dialogue.
PROGRAM
From Protection to Empowerment
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0108:45 – 09:20 | Welcome Breakfast & CEP Impact Gallery
Participants are welcomed through an informal breakfast and immersive gallery showcasing CEP’s key achievements.
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0209:20 – 09:30 | Welcome & Opening Remarks
Master of Ceremonies: Kait Bolongaro (On-Stage Host)
– Welcome Video: “CEP – 5 Years Later”
Introductory screening featuring opening remarks from Antonio Balhanas (CEO, Euroconsumers) and Debbie Weinstein (President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Google), reflecting on five years of multi-stakeholder dialogue, key milestones, and the future vision of consumer empowerment. -
0309:30 – 10:00 | High-Level Kick-Off Conversation – Digital Fairness and the Next Phase of Consumer Empowerment
The opening sequence will focus on the Digital Fairness Act and its role in shaping the next phase of EU consumer policy.
Confirmed speakers:
– Alex Agius Saliba, MEP
– Martins Prieditis, Deputy Head of Unit Consumer Law, DG JUST
– Natascha Gerlach, Director for Privacy and Data Policy, CIPLModerated By Brandy Miller, Editorial Director, The Watcher Post EU
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0410:00 – 10:40 | Panel – From Rules to Reality, DMA Implementation for Consumers
This first panel will take stock of the implementation of the Digital Markets Act, with a specific focus on their concrete impact for consumers.
Confirmed speakers:
– Stéphanie Yon Courtin, MEP
– Luca Aguzzoni, Head of Sector, DMA team DG CNECT
– Marco Pierani, Director Corporate Affairs, Euroconsumers
– Bartlomiej Telejko, Head – EU Data Governance, Competition, Cybersecurity policy team, GoogleModerated By Brandy Miller, Editorial Director, The Watcher Post EU
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0510:40 – 11:00 | CEP in Action: My Data is Mine Spotlight
A fireside chat with past award winners on how their research shaped the field and how the data protection landscape continues to evolve.
Confirmed speakers:
– Tea Mustac, MDIM Winner 2024
– Pratiksha Ashok, MDIM Winner 2025Moderated by Marco Scialdone, CEP Director
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0611:00 – 11:25 | Coffee Break
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0711:25 – 11:40 | CEP in Action: CLA Alumni Conversation
A fireside chat featuring past Consumer Leadership Academy participants sharing real-world impact, key lessons, and how they apply CLA insights to advance consumer rights.
Confirmed speakers:
– Marco Bani, Policy officer, Senate of the Republic of Italy
– Joanna Strycharz, Assistant Professor, University of AmsterdamModerated by Marco Scialdone, CEP Director
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0811:40 – 12:15 | Panel – AI on the Consumer’s Side, Can AI Agents Strengthen Consumer Agency?
The second panel will look ahead to the next wave of digital consumer policy by exploring the role of AI agents and AI-enabled tools in strengthening consumer agency.
Confirmed speakers:
– Brando Benifei, MEP // VIDEO MESSAGE
– Joanna Juzak, Legal & Policy Officer – AI Office, European Commission
– Antonio Balhanas, CEO, Euroconsumers
– Larisa Munteanu, Erasmus Rotterdam UniversityModerated By Brandy Miller, Editorial Director, The Watcher Post EU
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0912:15 – 12:35 | CEP in Action: Scholarship, Consumer Digital Empowerment Index and Kids Leadership Academy
A spotlight on the CEP Scholarship initiative empowering future consumer advocates, followed by a snapshot of the latest Consumer Digital Empowerment Index (CDEI)—featuring key insights on digital readiness and consumer attitudes toward AI. Plus a highlight video from the latest Kids Leadership Academy.
Confirmed speakers:
– Vincenzo Tiani, Programme & Dissemination Coordinator, VUB
– Marco Anelli, Group Manager Statistical Surveys, EuroconsumersModerated by Marco Scialdone, CEP Director
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01012:35 – 12:40 | Closing Reflections
Closing remarks:
– Marco Scialdone, CEP Director
– Sebastian Sposito, Public Affairs Manager for Europe at Google -
01112:40 – 13:30 | Networking Lunch
Informal networking lunch
Our Confirmed Speakers
Snapshots
