EVENT

12 March 2018

Conference on Data Protection in Humanitarian Action

Presented by

Minister of Development Cooperation, Digital Agenda Telecom and Postal Services

ICRC Delegation to the EU, NATO and the Kingdom of Belgium

Brussels Privacy Hub, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

The development of new technologies, allowing for easier and faster processing of ever-increasing quantities of personal data in an interconnected world, has given rise to concerns about the possible intrusion into the private sphere of individuals. Regulatory efforts around the globe are ongoing to respond to these concerns.

Protecting individuals’ personal data is an integral part of protecting their life, integrity and dignity. This is why personal data protection is of fundamental importance for humanitarian organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The Handbook on Data Protection in Humanitarian Action published in June 2017 is the result of a very fruitful collaboration between ICRC and the Brussels Privacy Hub and it strives to shed light on this fundamental issue.

In suggesting how data protection principles should be applied by humanitarian organizations, this Handbook builds on existing guidelines, working procedures and practices that have been established in humanitarian action in the most volatile environments and for the benefit of the most vulnerable victims of armed conflicts, other situations of violence, natural disasters, pandemics and other humanitarian emergencies.

The conference aims at addressing the importance of data protection principles to humanitarian action and discussing specific scope and purpose of humanitarian activities to provide for the urgent and basic needs of individuals, and to protect their rights. The conference aspires to bring together representatives of states and humanitarian organisations, leading academics as well as practitioners.

Participation by invitation only. For more information, please contact info@brusselsprivacyhub.eu.