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Sep 1, 2021
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EUVP Alumni Webinar - COVID-19: An accelerator for digital transformation?

EUVP Alumni Webinar

COVID-19: an accelerator for digital transformation?

22 September 2021, 09.30-11.30 AM Brussels time

The European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP) is pleased to announce the second EUVP Alumni webinar! The event will be dedicated to the European Digital Transformation and will feature EUVP Alumni guest speakers from Australia, Japan and Singapore as well as  representatives from the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Join us to get the most up-to-date insights into digital transformation policies of the European Union and to hear from international partners.

 


Direct web streaming page

 

AGENDA

09.30 - 09.40 Welcome message from Ms Susanne ALTENBERG, Director of the Office of the Secretary General of the European Parliament

 

09.40 - 09.50 Speech by Mr Karl-Peter REPPLINGER, Director, Directorate for Economy and Scientific Policies, Directorate General for Internal Policies of the Union - DG IPOL, European Parliament

 

09.50 - 10.00 Speech by Ms Lorena BOIX ALONSO, Director, Digital Society, Trust & Cybersecurity, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT), European Commission

 

10.00 - 10.10 Speech by Mr Aaron MANIAM, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information in charge of Industry and information, SINGAPORE

 

10.10 - 10.20 Speech by Ms Naoko OKAMURA, Deputy Director-General/Director-General for International Cooperation, National Space Policy Secretariat, Government of Japan, JAPAN

 

10.20 - 10.30 Speech by Mr Alistair KNIGHT, Director Europe, Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa Branch-International. Policy Division, National Resilience and Cyber Security Group, Department of Home Affairs, Canberra, AUSTRALIA

 

10.30 - 11.00 Discussion between the panellists moderated by Ms Sarah SHEIL, Head of Communication and Outreach Unit, Directorate General for External Policies of the Union - DG EXPO, European Parliament

 

11.00 – 11.30  Q&A Session

 

Speakers and Panellists

EUVP Alumni

 

Mr Aaron Maniam - Deputy Secretary (Industry and Information), Ministry of Communications and Information - SINGAPORE

Aaron Maniam is a Singaporean civil servant, having served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Centre for Strategic Futures, Civil Service College and Ministry of Trade and Industry. Currently Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information, he oversees digital economics, digital regulation, digital literacy and access, and public sector broadcasting.

In his free time, he writes poetry, facilitates inter-religious dialogues, and teaches at the National University of Singapore's Scholars Programme. He is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, an Asia 21 Young Leader of the Asia Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

 

Ms Naoko OKAMURA - Deputy Director-General/Director-General for International Cooperation, National Space Policy Secretariat, Government of Japan, JAPAN

Naoko Okamura is a Japanese civil servant. She has been involved in science and technology policy since 1990, and has been formulating policies and promoting national & international projects in a wide range of fields such as nanotechnology, medical science, nuclear research and space. She was invited to EUVP based on her leadership in the formulation of Japan's first nanotechnology policy.

From 2008 to 2011, she worked for the Mission of Japan to the EU as the Counselor in charge of science, technology and education, and leading diplomatic negotiations for concluding the EU-Japan Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement signed in 2009.

Currently, she is responsible for promoting space issues. As a part of this responsibility, from 2018 to 2020, she also served as the representative of Japan on the Multilateral Coordination Board of the International Space Station, and Co-Chair of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum.

 

Mr Alistair KNIGHT - Director, Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa Branch | International Policy Division, National Resilience and Cyber Security Group, Department of Home Affairs, Canberra - AUSTRALIA

Alistair Knight is currently Director Europe within the Department of Home Affairs’ International Policy Division where he is responsible for leading all international engagement with European counterparts for non-military national security issues. He was also previously the Department’s Director Middle East and Africa.

Prior to joining the Department of Home Affairs, Alistair held a variety of positions across Australia’s defence and national security community. His experience spans international affairs, cyber-security, counterterrorism, strategic policy, and capability development. Alistair has cumulatively spent several years living and working in Iraq, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar; developing a passion for the Middle East, its cultures, and history in the process. He holds a Master of Arts in Strategy and Policy as well as a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Politics. Alistair maintains an avid interest in ancient history, motorbikes, and contemporary art.

 

EU Representatives

Ms Lorena BOIX ALONSO, Director, Digital Society, Trust & Cybersecurity, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT) - EUROPEAN COMMISSION

 

 

 

 

Mr Karl-PeEuropean Parliament staff member to discuss global challenges – UCCS  Communiqueter REPPLINGER Director, Directorate for Economy and Scientific Policies, Directorate General for Internal Policies of the Union - DG IPOL - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT