Empowering Europe with Digital and Cybersecurity Skills

What is the current state of our digital and cybersecurity skills? And are we truly ready to meet the ever-increasing demands of the digital future?

We are pleased to invite you to the conference “Empowering Europe with Digital and Cybersecurity Skills,” which will focus on assessing the current state of digital and cybersecurity competencies not only in the Central European region. As Europe undergoes a rapid digital transformation, this event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and education experts to discuss the steps needed to strengthen cybersecurity resilience, accelerate digital progress, and close critical digital skill gaps. Together, we will explore how to ensure Europe remains competitive, secure, and inclusive in the digital age.

Register now
 

Agenda

09.00 – 09.25 | Welcome and Opening Remarks  

• Mária Malová, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU
• Marek Bezák, Advisor of the Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic
• Mário Lelovský, Chairman, Digital Coalition, Slovak Republic
• Georgi Dimitrov, Head of Unit Digital Education, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission

09.25 – 10.45 |  I. Panel: Digital Skills – Current Status and Future Outlook  

• Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca Municipality, Member of the Committee of the Regions and Rapporteur of the CoR opinion on the Union of Skills Strategy, Romania
• Martin Úlovec, Ministerial Commissioner for Digitization and Digital Education at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, National Institute of Education of the Czech Republic
• Andreea Calbeaza, Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Microsoft, Chair of the Skills & Inclusion Working Group, Digital Europe
• Rehana Schwinninger-Ladak, Head of Unit Interactive Technologies, Digital for Culture and Education, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission
• Marek Čanecký, First Secretary at the Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU, MODERATOR  

10.45 – 11.00 | The Digital Bridge to Integration: Supporting Ukrainians in the Slovak Republic

• Alona Kurotova, Representative of the Ukrainian Community in Slovakia

11.00 – 11.20 | Coffee break  

11.20 – 12.35 | II. Panel: Digital Skills – Specific Projects and Best Practices  
 

• Lucia Martišková, Project Manager, Digital Coalition, Slovak Republic
• Michal Kanownik, President, Digital Poland Association, Poland
• Jaromír Hanzal, Director,  Association for Applied Research in IT, Czech Republic
• Viktor Bálint, Education and Labour Market Working Group Lead, Association of Digital Companies, Hungary
• Katarína Schwertnerová, Senior Advisor, EU Strategy, MODERATOR

12.35 – 13.35 | Networking Lunch  

13:35 – 13:50 Cyber Game – A Talent Show or How to Attract Young People to Cybersecurity?

• Jaroslav Ďurovka, Head of National Cyber Security Centre (SK-CERT), National Security Authority, Slovak Republic

13.50 – 14.50 | III. Panel / Cybersecurity Skills as Fuel for the European Labour Market
 

• Evangelos Ouzounis, Head of Unity Capacity Building and Skills, ENISA
• Marek Zeman, Senior Consultant, Cybersecurity Competence and Certification Centre, Slovak Republic
• Jean-Francois Simons, SC2, Senior Security Advisor and Chair of the European Council of ISACs
• Jeppe Engell, Senior Advisor for Cyber Policy, Danish Industry
• Radoslav Repa, Counsellor, Cyber Issues and Trust Services, National Security Authority, Slovakia, MODERATOR

14.50 – 15.55 | IV. Panel / Women in IT – Empowering the Next Generation: Supporting Girls in IT and Digital Skills

• Lenka Krištofičová, Project Manager, Digital Coalition, Slovak Republic
• Diogo da Silva, Pedagogical Director, Visionarium, Portugal
• Angela Jafarova, Head of Coding School, Datorium, Latvia
• Monika Kapráliková, Author and Women´s Voice Advocate, Slovakia, MODERATOR

15.55 – 16.00 | Closing Remarks  

Download the full programme (PDF)

Any questions? Contact the organisers via this email address