The Polish SA has inaugurated the 15th edition of the nationwide programme "Your Data-Your Concern"

A two-day training course for coordinators of the nationwide “Your Data - Your Concern” Programme, organised by the Personal Data Protection Office (UODO), began on 24 October 2024. The programme, which has been in force for 15 years, is aimed at primary and secondary schools and focuses on education in the protection of personal data.

The first day of training - 24 October 2024

The training was opened by Agnieszka Grzelak, Deputy President of the Personal Data Protection Office, who emphasised the importance of responsible data processing in schools.

“Personal data can be used as a dangerous weapon and a tool for manipulation. They should therefore be treated with care and processed with the least possible risk for the data subjects.” - pointed out Agnieszka Grzelak, indicating the need for data protection especially in the context of the education of children and young people.

The training was attended by 150 coordinators, teachers and school principals who engage in data protection education activities targeting not only students, but also parents and the local community. This year's edition of the Programme will be implemented in 349 institutions across Poland.

During the first day of the training, participants were acquainted with the methods of implementing the Programme and the timetable of planned activities. In addition, topics such as the protection of children's personal data in the international arena and current threats related to the use of children's and young people's images on the Internet were discussed. Participants were also familiarised with the challenges of image protection in the context of so-called ‘sharenting’ and were provided with information on competitions and reports, which are relevant to every participant in the Programme.

The second day of training - 25 October 2024

The second day of the training was opened by Marta Mikołajczyk, Programme Coordinator at the Personal Data Protection Office. Speeches were devoted to sharing experiences and good practices in children's education. The day's programme included speeches on teaching about GDPR in practice, mediation as a method of resolving conflicts arising from inappropriate proceedings on social media, as well as stage presentations by pupils as part of the ‘Your Data - Your Concern’ competition and advice from an employee of the Polish SA's Hotline on the protection of personal data in the education sector.

The opening training of the 15th edition of the Programme was an opportunity to share experiences, knowledge and best practices in data protection education.

The Minister of National Education and the Ombudsman for Children assumed honorary patronage of the 15th edition of the Programme. Media patronage was provided by Polskie Radio Dzieciom, Portal Oświatowy, Tik w Edukacji, Głos Nauczycielski and TVP programme 2 ‘Pytanie na śniadanie’.

You may read more about the training in the October edition of the Bulletin of the Polish SA.