CEP Symposium

From Protection to Empowerment

• 01
  08:45 – 09:20 | Welcome Breakfast & CEP Impact Gallery

  Participants are welcomed through an informal breakfast and immersive gallery showcasing CEP’s key achievements.

• 02
  09:25 – 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:

  – Martins Prieditis, Deputy HoU DFA, DG JUST

• 03
  10:00 – 10:10 | CEP in Action: Scholarship and Consumer Digital Empowerment Index

  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.

  Confirmed speakers:

  – Vincenzo Tiani, Programme & Dissemination Coordinator, VUB
  – Marco Anelli, Group Manager Statistical Surveys, Euroconsumers

• 04
  10:15 – 10:55 | Panel – From Rules to Reality, DMA Implementation for Consumers

  This first panel will take stock of the implementation of the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, with a specific focus on their concrete impact for consumers.

  Confirmed speakers:

  – Bartlomiej Telejko, Google
  – Luca Aguzzoni, Head of Sector, DMA team DG CNECT

  Moderated By Brandy Miller, Editorial Director, The Watcher Post EU

• 05
  10:55 – 11:20 | Coffee Break
• 06
  11:20 – 11:30 | 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 Amsterdam

• 07
  11:30 – 12:05 | 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 speaker:

  – Antonio Balhanas, CEO, Euroconsumers

• 08
  12:05 – 12:15 | CEP in Action: My Data is Mine Spotlight

  A fireside chat with a past award winner on how their research shaped the field and how the data protection landscape continues to evolve.

  Confirmed speaker:

  – Tea Mustac, MDIM Winner 2024
  – Pratiksha Ashok, MDIM Winner 2025

• 09
  12:15 – 12:25 | Closing Reflections

  Closing remarks by Marco Scialdone, CEP Director

• 010
  12:30 – 13:30 | Networking Lunch

  Informal networking lunch