European Union / Fred Guerdin
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) participated in the European Public Communication Conference held from 3-4 July in Brussels. The event, hosted by the European Committee of the Regions, is Europe's largest annual gathering of public communication experts and is jointly organised by EU institutions.
This year’s conference explored the theme “Beyond Words – A Story of Trust,” bringing together communicators, leaders, and changemakers to examine trust in public communication, the role of social media, and the impact of artificial intelligence.
CEC Communications Officer Naveen Qayyum and Programme Assistant Thy Khanh Tran took part in discussions focusing on the use of AI, digital tools, and effective public communications strategies.
“It is important for CEC to stay informed and well-trained in using modern digital tools, including AI and social media, while ensuring ethical standards guide our work,” said Qayyum. “The conference provided practical insights into building trust with audiences and navigating digital platforms responsibly in a rapidly changing environment.”
The conference placed a strong emphasis on the people behind public communication—citizens seeking reliable information, local leaders supporting their communities, journalists managing an evolving media landscape, and communicators working to connect policies with daily realities. Participants also examined strategies to counter misinformation and maintain accuracy and trust.
CEC’s participation underlines its commitment to strengthening transparent and ethical communication, while embracing digital transformation to support its mission.