The scientific and educational event Data Protection Day 鈥 2026: European Approach to Data Governance: Trust, Protection and Innovation was held online on January 28, 2026. It was organized within the framework of the international educational project Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Module European Data Strategy: Data Governance for New Opportunities (鈩 101127839 鈥 Data4EU).
More than 230 participants 鈥 including students, postgraduate students, academic and research staff, legal professionals, IT specialists, and business representatives from Ukraine and other countries 鈥 took part in the event. It attracted significant interest and served as a platform for professional discussion of current issues in personal data protection and data governance.
The welcome speech and official opening of the conference was delivered by Vasyl Tesliuk, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Automated Control Systems, the Institute of Computer Sciences and Information Technologies, 果冻APP. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to data protection issues, combining legal, technological and educational aspects, as well as the role of universities in forming a culture of responsible data use.
Next, Anastasiia Doroshenko, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Automated Control Systems, presented the project European Data Strategy: Data Governance for New Opportunities, which she coordinates. She introduced the participants to its objectives, structure, and key focus areas. The presentation emphasized the importance of the European data strategy for fostering innovation, advancing science and education, and facilitating Ukraine鈥檚 integration into the European digital space.
The event began with an overview of the international legal dimension of personal data protection, presented by international experts in the field of personal data protection and digital law.
Giacomo Pescatore, Founder and Managing Partner of Cartwright Pescatore (Italy), delivered a welcoming address. In his speech, he outlined the legal perspective on building trust in digital technologies in Europe, emphasizing the role of personal data protection as a foundation for the sustainable development of innovation and digital markets.
The event concluded with a discussion on the challenges of personal data protection and data governance in Ukraine. Participants actively exchanged views, asked questions, and explored the prospects for harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with European standards. The lively debate and strong audience engagement underscored the relevance and timeliness of the topics addressed.
Data Protection Day 2026 has become an important platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, exchange of experiences and dissemination of best European practices in the field of personal data protection and data management, contributing to the development of trust and innovation in the digital environment.
