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The overall theme of the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Forum 2019 will be “Smarter practical implementation of digital technology to enhance active and healthy living”. Six thematic areas were identified by the Forum's Programme Committee and are described in detail on the AAL website. The Active Assisted Living Programme asks for workshop proposals as a way to engage audiences and key stakeholders. Workshops proposals should be interactive and motivational sessions and follow one of the thematic areas. Deadline for submission is 25 March 2019.

Today the European Commission published the latest monthly reports from Google, Twitter, and Facebook, on the progress made in February towards meeting their commitments to fight disinformation. The online platforms are all signatories of the Code of Practice against disinformation and have committed to report their progress in the run up to the European Parliament elections in May 2019.

The Commission has received Monthly Reports from Google, Facebook and Twitter addressing actions taken during February 2019 towards implementation of the commitments on electoral integrity. These Reports are part of the intermediate targeted monitoring of the Code of Practice against disinformation ahead of the European Parliament elections in May 2019 and follow up on the reports submitted for January.

The Cybersecurity Act was adopted by the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). This new EU Regulation gives ENISA, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, a permanent mandate and strengthens its role. The Act also establishes an EU framework for cybersecurity certification, boosting the cybersecurity of digital products and services in Europe.

The winners of the European Media Literacy Awards 2019 have been announced during the European Media Literacy Conference event in Brussels. Giuseppe Abbamonte, Director for Media Policy at DG Connect, awarded three project winners in different categories focusing on innovative media literacy project, most educative media literacy project, and the media literacy project with the greatest European potential.

The Startup Europe Summit 2019, hosted by the Romanian Presidency of the European Council of the European Union, will take place in Cluj-Napoca, one of the emerging startup capitals of Europe. It will bring together leading players in technology entrepreneurship and innovation from Central and Eastern Europe as well as key actors in innovation ecosystems from Western Europe. Around 800 participants will be present to find out what it takes to lead their field. Here's an overview of projects taking part in the exhibition.

Climate change, a growing world population and urbanisation pose new challenges in water management. A quarter of all treated water in Europe is lost due to leakages alone. In some Member States it is 50% of fresh water. Water scarcity will be a growing challenge not only in the south of Europe. To address these challenges, the European Commission is offering a Horizon prize with a cash reward of € 2 000 000. The winner is the Fenix Hub solution.

The FET Proactive project MAGENTA is developing brand new thermoelectric materials based on ionic ferrofluids (colloidal dispersions of magnetic nanoparticles in ionic liquids).These materials will be versatile, cost-effective and non-toxic and will assist the economically and environmentally sustainable energy transition in Europe.

The Future and Emerging Technologies A-LEAF project seeks the realization of an artificial photosynthesis platform for the capture and transformation of solar energy into chemical energy, as sustainable substitute for fossil resources.

European Commission strategies for boosting digital connectivity and skills are targeting real needs in the single market, according to the results of a comprehensive study of ICT in education published this week.