Inspiring passion for data protection in IGO’s
Inspiring passion for data protection in IGO’s

About us

What is IGOPA?

We are a group of Data Protection Officers and privacy professionals working in Intergovernmental Organisations and we are passionate about Data Protection.  

History

Intergovernmental Organisations face unique issues and challenges, especially when it comes to data protection and privacy. To overcome these challenges, a group of Data Protection Officers and privacy professionals from Intergovernmental Organisations* started meeting in their personal capacities to forge a way of working together. *(CERN – European Organization for Nuclear Research; EMBL – European Molecular Biology Laboratory; ESA – European Space Agency; ESO – European Southern Observatory)

This was so successful and added so much value to their everyday work that it was decided to formalise the organisation – and so IGOPA was born.

Members Capacity

Our members and Office Bearers participate in IGOPA in their individual and personal capacity only and do not represent the Intergovernmental Organisations they work for.

Legal Governance

IGOPA is established as a not-for-profit Association in terms of the Swiss Civil Code.

We are governed by Swiss Law.

Vision

Inspiring passion for data protection in Intergovernmental Organisations.

Mission

Be the foremost organisation for data protection and IGO’s

  • Promote Data Protection in IGO’s.
  • Enhance the standing and participation of IGO’s in the field of Data Protection.
  • Support the protection of Human Rights and Privacy.
  • Explore the standardisation and harmonisation of data protection laws, rules, guidelines, practices and activities inside and between IGO’s as well as between IGO’s and other bodies and organisations.

Objectives

  • IGOPA fosters contact, collaboration and the exchange of information and views among professionals working in the field of data protection in intergovernmental organisations and thereby contributes to the general development and promotion of the field of data protection law.
  • We organise workshops, meetings and interactions on the subject of data protection in intergovernmental organisations.

Guiding Principle

IGOPA is guided by a twofold approach – to support IGO’s to achieve their goals and to support the rights of individuals through the protection of personal data.

Values

  • We are inclusive of all people.
  • We facilitate connectivity.
  • We strive for excellence and professionalism.
  • We are respectful of one another.
  • We are transparent, committed and fair.
  • We accept accountability.
  • We are honest and reliable.

What is an IGO?

The term intergovernmental organization (IGO) refers to an entity created by treaty, involving two or more countries, to work in good faith, on issues of common interest. Some well known examples are United Nations (UN), Organization for Economic and Co-operation Development (OECD), Council of Europe (CoE), CERN

For more information take a look at our FAQ page

Does GDPR apply to IGO’s?

No! IGO’s are not subject to the laws of any particular country or region as this could possibly give one country or region an unfair advantage over the workings of the IGO. Instead IGO’s operate in terms of international law, often by treaty. This means that IGO’s most often create their own rules for their operation. This includes rules about data protection.

This means that IGO’s most often create their own rules for their operation. This includes rules about data protection.

For more information take a look at our FAQ page