The protection of personal data is part of the right to privacy and must be guaranteed to everyone. It is now a major issue due to the rise of information and communication technologies, as these rely in part on the processing and monetisation of personal data.

Whilst the processing of such data is regulated by various international legal instruments, the general public remains largely uninformed on this subject. Young people are among the main users of digital platforms and the internet, yet they are often unaware of the issues surrounding personal data protection. This course aims to raise participants’ awareness of this issue in order to contribute to the creation of a digital society that is more respectful of privacy and individual freedoms.

 Deepen young people’s knowledge and understanding of regional and international legal and ethical rules (such as specific treaties, conventions and protocols of the Council of Europe, the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the African Union) relating to the protection of personal data, highlighting their close link to human rights (in particular the right to privacy).

 Promote greater awareness among young people of their rights relating to personal data protection and the right to privacy and of how to exercise these rights in the event of a breach.

 Equip young people with the tools they need to become more informed, responsible digital citizens who respect everyone’s freedom, by encouraging the development of their critical thinking and reflection on the issues and risks associated with the use and processing of personal data.

 Empower young people by giving them the ability to take action to promote a shared culture of personal data protection, by opening up dialogue between cultures and developing a universal vision of digital issues (including points of convergence and specific characteristics).

Module 1 - Understanding personal data: introduction to basic concepts, definitions, social, economic and human issues related to data

Module 2 - Regulating personal data: key principles underpinning personal data protection (lawfulness, fairness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, retention, security and accountability) and their practical implications.

Module 3 - Protecting personal data: main risks to personal data, presentation of the concepts of integrity and confidentiality, digital hygiene habits

Module 4 - Exercising your rights and taking action: the rights of persons, complaints procedures, data protection stakeholders, and contemporary challenges (such as artificial intelligence, surveillance and data flows)

The training is open to young people aged between 18 and 30 years old from Council of Europe member states (with priority given to North-South Centre member states) as well as from Africa and the Middle East, with the potential to act as multipliers, in particular:

• Young people working in sectors of particular importance for data protection (medicine, banking and insurance, media, etc.)
• Young entrepreneurs (including start-ups)
• Young teachers, secondary school teachers, youth workers and educators in the broadest sense
• IT tool users/gamers, developers/designers
• Young people active in civil society organisations/networks
• NEETs (young people who are neither in education, employment nor training)

The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all candidates who fulfil the specific profile of the course, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.

50 participants will be selected for this course. Selection will be carried out by the North-South Centre, ensuring gender and geographical balance. Priority will be given to candidates active in a CSO or a youth organisation/platform/youth-related institution, with the potential to act as multipliers. Candidates should be able to communicate in French.