Several EMILDAI students travelled to Brussels last week to attend the IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress, one of the leading international events in the field of privacy and data protection.

This year, EMILDAI was particularly well represented: out of the 25 scholarships awarded by the IAPP, at least eight went to EMILDAI students. We are delighted to see EMILDAI participants recognised and supported at such a significant global event.

The Congress offered students a unique opportunity to engage with high-level discussions on pressing privacy and governance topics, as well as to meet key figures shaping the future of data protection in Europe and beyond.

Among the experts our students encountered were:

• Michael McNamara, MEP, Co-Chair of the European Parliament Working Group on the Implementation and Enforcement of the AI Act

• Dale Sunderland, Commissioner at the Data Protection Commission Ireland

• Yann Padova, former Secretary General of the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL)

• Philippe Latombe, Member of the French Parliament and of the CNIL

Students described the experience as “fantastic”, noting the exceptional access to leading policymakers, regulators, and practitioners all in one place.

We extend our thanks to the IAPP for supporting EMILDAI students through their scholarship programme and for hosting such an enriching event.