As part of our participation in the FAIR Project, we are pleased to invite you to a dedicated workshop for rights defenders. The event will explore emerging forms of discrimination, with a particular focus on the impact of algorithmic decision-making in the public sector.
🔍 About the FAIR Project
The FAIR project – “EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: Awareness raising and Instruments to promote a culture of Rights” (FAIR) – is promoted by a consortium of nine organisations based in nine different EU countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.
FAIR is a direct response to the priorities outlined in the European Commission’s 2020 “Strategy to Strengthen the Application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.” This strategy, launched on the 20th anniversary of the Charter, highlights both the achievements and remaining challenges in ensuring its implementation across Member States.
🗣️ Workshop Objectives
- Engage rights defenders (e.g. NHRIs, ombuds institutions, equality bodies, data protection authorities) in critical discussion on discrimination risks
- Explore ethical implications of algorithmic and data-driven systems in public administration
- Examine how traditional and structural forms of discrimination may evolve through technology
- Foster peer learning and discussion through applied casework
📋 Programme Overview
14:00 – Welcome & Introduction
Introduction to the FAIR project and session structure
📌 Speaker: FRC Team
14:15 – Discrimination by Design? AI Use in the Public Sector
Exploring how algorithmic tools in areas like policing, welfare, or job services can reinforce indirect or structural discrimination
📌 Speaker: Prof. Ine Van Zeeland (VUB)
14:45 – Discrimination in the Context of Algorithmic Decision-Making: The Role of the EU Charter
An overview of the main rights at stake in algorithmic decision-making, their links with the GDPR and the AI Act, and a practical case illustrating how the Charter can provide added value in addressing discrimination risks.
📌 Speaker: Cristina Cocito (FRC, VUB)
15:00 – Guided Group Discussion: Understanding and Responding to Discrimination Risks
Open discussion structured around a realistic case scenario:
• Have participants encountered similar challenges in their work?
• What forms of discrimination are emerging in public sector practices?
• What are the barriers to addressing them?
• What support mechanisms or partnerships are needed?
• (Non-)Current use of the Charter.
📌 Facilitated by: FRC Team
15:45 – Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways
Summary of insights, questions, and final reflections from participants
📌 Speaker: FRC Team
🤝 Who Should Attend?
- This workshop is open to:
- Rights defenders, including NHRIs, equality bodies, ombuds institutions, and data protection authorities
- Civil society stakeholders working on human rights, social justice, or technology and society
📝 Register to Attend
Participation is free, but registration is required.
👉 Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dmU3qiCSs9Sak9NgPmQfK06uFMsDCKOZ0v-molqpU-4/edit
For any questions, please contact:
📧 sibel.top@vub.be or anna.maria.totokotsi@vub.be
We look forward to welcoming you to a rich and engaging discussion.