The 2019 European Meeting of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) took place in Rome on 6-7 June, gathering about 25 presidents and secretary generals of the European national PR associations. Participants focused, inter alia, on the promotion of communication ethics, freedom of speech, human rights and the information society.

Responding to an invitation to establish a cooperation framework, Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department of the Council of Europe presented the latest standards on freedom of expression, internet governance, data protection, action against cybercrime and artificial intelligence. He also reflected on recent developments in Europe regarding freedom of media and the trust in our democratic institutions.

ICCO is an independent NGO. It serves as the world’s umbrella organisation of national PR industry organisations and other NGOs/networks active in the field of professional communications and communication research and education.