After three years away, the Brussels community finally had the chance to reconnect in person, and in style, at AmCham EU’s Gala 2022. With a special focus on ‘Invested in youth’, the evening brought together more than 250 guests to celebrate the contributions of the young generation. It showcased an inspiring cello performance from the two Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists and was capped off with the presentation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Award to a female entrepreneur.
After three years away, the Brussels community finally had the chance to reconnect in person, and in style, at AmCham EU’s Gala 2022. With a special focus on ‘Invested in youth’, the evening brought together more than 250 guests to celebrate the contributions of the young generation. It showcased an inspiring cello performance from the two Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists and was capped off with the presentation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Award to a female entrepreneur.
The festivities began with remarks from Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU who shared a hopeful perspective for the future of European innovation and the transatlantic relationship. The audience then had the opportunity to enjoy a cello concert from Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists Hayoung Choi and Yibai Chen.
The highlight of the evening, however, was the presentation of this year’s Youth Entrepreneurship Award, in collaboration with JA Europe. For the last decade, AmCham EU has been proud to support entrepreneurship in Europe, and this year, as part of the European Year of Youth and in line with the mission of the EMPOWER HER initiative, the Executive Council doubled down on their commitment. All three finalists will receive mentorship from the business minds of European CEOs. There could only be one winner and the top prize went to Sweden’s Ida Norström, CEO, Energy Effective Solutions. Norström works to provide energy-efficient electrical installations for companies and private individuals, and her company is the fastest growing in her country’s sector.
AmCham EU also made a contribution to the Queen Elisabeth Competition, and has been glad to support the young musicians, even when we could only hear their performances virtually the last two years. Learn more about how AmCham EU gives back here.
A big thank you is in order for sponsor ExxonMobil. Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s 60th anniversary gala, set for Wednesday, 28 June 2023.
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The review of the Cybersecurity Act (CSA 2.0) is an opportunity to build a more coherent, outcome-oriented EU cybersecurity framework. While the proposal recognises fragmentation across the Single Market, further simplification is needed to reduce overlaps and support effective compliance.
A harmonised approach to risk assessment and supervision can strengthen resilience while avoiding duplicative obligations. Certification and supply-chain measures should remain risk-based, objective, technical and aligned with international standards. Structured industry engagement and clear designation thresholds under the ICT Supply Chain Framework and a secure-by-design approach to policymaking will be essential to support cybersecurity and global interoperability. Read more on how CSA 2.0 can strengthen resilience across the Single Market.
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From Monday, 27 to Wednesday, 29 April, AmCham EU travelled to Paris, France and the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France for a series of meetings on EU financial services policy developments. The delegation engaged with representatives from French and European financial authorities, Members of the European Parliament, Accredited Parliamentary Assistants and Group Policy Advisers, to share business perspectives on the EU’s financial services agenda. Discussions focused on how to improve Europe’s competitiveness, deepen capital markets and create the right conditions for innovation in digital finance. Members also highlighted the need for more coherent and interoperable rules that reduce complexity while encouraging long-term investment through risk-based regulation.
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On Tuesday, 28 to Wednesday, 29 April, AmCham EU travelled to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France for a series of meetings with policymakers to discuss ongoing EU healthcare policy initiatives. The delegation met with Members of the European Parliament, Accredited Parliamentary Assistants and Group Policy Advisers, to discuss priorities for the EU’s health agenda. This included exchanges on how to strengthen Europe’s life sciences competitiveness and support resilient supply chains. Members also stressed the need for urgent action to simplify overlapping rules and reduce complexity. They underlined that proportionate, risk-based regulation is essential to support innovation. This approach can also help ensure timely patient access to medicines, medical technologies and diagnostics.
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