Digital Tax - what will it mean for Europe's businesses, and for fairness in taxation?

On 17 November, we organised a debate, hosted by MEP Paul Tang, on the implications for the EU and European SMEs of the OECD Inclusive Framework’s Two-Pillar Approach to addressing the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the global economy. The MEP was joined by the following guest speakers:

• Benjamin Angel, Director of Direct taxation, Tax coordination, Economic analysis and Evaluation, DG TAXUD, European Commission
• Gerhard Huemer, Director Economic & Fiscal Policy, SMEunited
• Megan Funkhouser, Director of Policy, Tax and Trade, Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
• Mona Barake, Postdoctoral Researcher, EU Tax Observatory

EU cybersecurity strategy - how to ensure a more cybersecured EU?

On 16 November 2021, we organised a debate, hosted by MEP Bart Groothuis, to take stock of the EU’s cybersecurity strategy presented in December 2020, including the progress made on the adoption of the NIS2 Directive. The MEP was joined by the following guest speakers:

• Lokke Moerel, Professor Global ICT (Tilburg University), Member of the Dutch Cyber Security Council, cyber expert on the European Commission’s Horizon2020 Innovation Program and Senior Of Counsel Morrison & Foester
• François Zamora, Chief Security Officer, European Division Orange on behalf of ETNO members
• Jakub Boratynski, Head of Unit for Cybersecurity and Digital Privacy, DG CNECT, European Commission

Protecting and empowering children and young people online

On 12 October 2021, EIF organised the virtual debate “Protecting and empowering children and young people online”, co-hosted by MEPs Ivan Štefanec and Liesje Schreinemacher.
Five experts joined the debate, moderated by EIF Director General Maria Rosa Gibellini, to discuss how to make the online world fitter for children and which legal instruments are in place or needed in order to ensure that children are protected and empowered online:

• June Lowery-Kingston, Head of Unit, Accessibility, Multilingualism & Safer Internet, and Deputy to the Director for Data at DG CONNECT, European Commission
• Christopher Payne, Director of Digital Responsibility, Government and Public Affairs, at the LEGO Group
• Charlotte Niklasson, Director of European Affairs at Nordvision
• Alexandra Evans, Head of Safety Public Policy, Europe at TikTok
• Leanda Barrington-Leach, Head of EU Affairs at 5Rights

Digitalisation of the Health Sector

On 28 September 2021, EIF hosted a virtual debate on the ‘Digitalisation of the Health sector’ to discuss the role that the EU can play to support member states and patients, with a special focus on the EU4Health Programme, on the Commission’s strategic approach for e-health and the priorities and challenges for Europe.

The debate, hosted by MEP and EIF Steering Committee member Marina Kaljurand, was moderated by EIF Director General Maria Rosa Gibellini and featured the following experts and policymakers:

• Cristian-Silviu Busoi MEP and EIF Member, Chair of the ITRE Committee and rapporteur on the EU4Health programme
• Ioana-Maria Gligor, Head of Unit for European Reference Networks and Digital Health, DG SANTE European Commission (who joined the Q&A session)
• Wayne Miller, Director, EMEA Healthcare Practice, Zebra Technologies
• Alexander Volt, Solutions Advisor, Intellectsoft

Debate with EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel

On 29 September 2021, EIF hosted an exchange of views with European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel.
The Commissioner shared her views on the need to create a pan-European Innovation Ecosystem, involving constant bottom-up consultations with our European Champions, without forgetting women’s potential and central role of education and research.

The exchange was hosted and moderated by MEP and EIF Steering Committee member Maria da Graça Carvalho, who asked the Commissioner 5 questions on themes that are at the heart of Commissioner Gabriel’s work.

After the exchange, the Q&A session was moderated by EIF Director General Maria Rosa Gibellini and featured the following EIF Steering Committee Members:

- Pilar del Castillo, MEP and EIF Chair
- Sabine Verheyen MEP
- Victor Negrescu MEP
- Eva Kaili MEP

EIF-GSMA High-level virtual discussion on 'Europe's Digital Transformation: Now to 2030'

On 30 June 2021, EIF and GSMA hosted the 7^th annual high-level virtual discussion on ‘Europe’s Digital Transformation: Now to 2030’ in the context of the MWC21 Barcelona, bringing together legislators, regulators, and stakeholders in the EIF and GSMA networks.