High-Level Conference “The Right to Be Forgotten as a Human Right”
Program Name: The Right to be Forgotten as a Human Right: Ending Financial Discrimination Against Cancer Survivors.
Organizer: Co-organized by Prof. Françoise Meunier, Founder of the initiative Ending Financial Discrimination Against Cancer Survivors, Prof. Mark Lawler, Professor, Digital Health, Queen’s University Belfast and immediate Past Chair, International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership
The event is recognised as an associated event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026
What is it?
A landmark European conference designed to accelerate legislative action on the “Right to Be Forgotten” (RTBF) for cancer survivors. The event aims to establish that life after cancer is not only a health policy issue, but a fundamental matter of equality, dignity, and human rights, specifically addressing the financial discrimination (such as access to loans or insurance) that survivors face.
What will participants learn?
The agenda is structured into four main sessions covering all angles of the initiative:
- Session I (Survivor Experiences): Personal testimonies of living beyond cancer and the reality of financial discrimination.
- Session II (National Perspectives): Insights from countries currently advancing the Right to be Forgotten across Europe.
- Keynote Speech: A dedicated address by Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Irish Department of Finance.
- Session III (Human Rights): A deep dive into the legal and ethical dimensions of ending discrimination.
- Session IV (Best Practices): Lessons learned from countries with binding legal protections already in place.
Who is the program designed for?
Cancer survivors, patient advocates, clinicians, researchers, legal and human-rights experts, and policymakers.
The event is a public, and open event. Registration is mandatory.
Geographic eligibility: Europe / International (Focuses on European legislation, but seeks to bring this discussion to a broader, global audience).
Format: In-person.
Venue: Fondation Universitaire (University Fondation), Rue d’Egmont 11, Brussels, Belgium.
Duration: 1 day (21 October 2026, from 9:30 to 18:30).
Cost: Free registration. However, participants must cover all their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Scholarships available: No. There are currently no financial supports or travel grants available for this meeting.
What will you gain?
- Advocacy Tools: Strategies to translate political momentum into binding protections in your own nation.
- Expert Connections: Direct exchange with leading academic, legal, and policy experts.
- First-hand Insights: Access to the latest survivorship evidence and implementation data from the OECD and national health ministries.
You can also read: OncoDaily Lived Experience Advocacy Hub
