On January 17, 2019 – Margrethe Vestager, together with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition will host an international conference titled Shaping Competition Policy in the Era of Digitisation in Brussels. The aim is to discuss and identify ways to address the implications of the digital change on competition policy. The conference will be webstreamed in English, French and German, students would find it most beneficial to follow the following discussions on four issues:

  • Competition, Data and Artificial Intelligence;
  • Digital Platforms’ Market Power;
  • Competing with data – a business perspective;
  • Preserving Digital Innovation.

We encourage students throughout Europe and beyond to participate in the discussion, and are therefore excited to announce that the European Commission are organising a  “Student Challenge”. Their objective is to hear the views of students in Europe and enhance their and the EC’s understanding of the dynamics of digitisation and its impact on our economic and societal developments.

Students wishing to participate in this Challenge are invited to write a 250 word contribution “What would you have talked about if you had been a speaker?” on one of the four issues of the conference.

Participating students are invited to send their texts before January 31, 2019. A jury of DG Competition officials will select the best three entries for each panel category. Entries will be assessed on analysis and originality and on their relevance to the arguments debated in the panel category of choice.

The winning students will be invited to Brussels to receive the awards and visit the EU institutions.

More details on the Student Challenge will be available on the conference web page. After January 17, the portal will also include videos of the panel discussions.