CEP Symposium
5 NOVEMBER 2026 | BUMP – BRUSSELS
“From Protection to Empowerment – Shaping Consumer Agency in the Age of AI and Digital Fairness”
To mark five years of driving meaningful dialogue, the Consumer Empowerment Project invites you to Brussels for our flagship CEP Symposium. Together with European leaders, researchers, and digital innovators, we are moving beyond basic protection to build fair digital environments that foster consumer agency, trust, and informed choice in the age of AI.
Click here to register for the event.
PRELIMINARY 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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0209:25 – 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
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0310:00 – 10:15 | 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 2025 -
0410:15 – 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, 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
– Bartlomiej Telejko, GoogleModerated By Brandy Miller, Editorial Director, The Watcher Post EU
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0510:55 – 11:20 | Coffee Break
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0611:20 – 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 -
0711:30 – 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 speakers:
– Antonio Balhanas, CEO, Euroconsumers
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0812:05 – 12:15 | 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, Euroconsumers -
0912:15 – 12:25 | Closing Reflections
Closing remarks by Marco Scialdone, CEP Director
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01012:30 – 13:30 | Networking Lunch
Informal networking lunch
Our Confirmed Speakers
Event Registration Form

5th November 2026
Bump | Bruxelles