Wednesday, May 28, 2014, took place the works of the Roundtable “Consumer protection and the pressure of economic and societal changes: the digital revolution; the sustainable consumption; the social exclusion, the vulnerable consumers and the accessibility,” organized by the Romanian-American University (RAU) in collaboration with the Romanian Distribution Committee (CRD). RAU Rector, Professor Ovidiu Folcut, opened the debate (“Welcome and Opening Remarks: Improving consumer education, information, and culture, while addressing deficits in consumer awareness and skills”).

Theodor Purcarea, Professor at the RAU School of Management-Marketing, and President of the Romanian-Distribution Committee (“Key objectives of the European Consumer Agenda 2020 and the first steps to achieve them”), who moderated the debate, gave the floor to the distinguished participants, such as: Professor Petru Filip, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Romanian Senate („The Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue – TACD”), Professor Florian Popa, Vice-President of the Commission of Public Health of the Romanian Senate, and President of SANABUNA International Congress (“The dialogue with patients’ and consumers’ organizations at EU level”), Iulian Cristache, Member of the Commission of Public Health of the Romanian Senate (“Avoiding consumer health inequalities”), Otilian B. Neagoe, Vice-president of the Romanian Competition Council (“Interactions between competition and consumer protection policy”), Paul Anghel, Director, National Authority for Consumer Protection, Romania (“The effective application of consumer protection legislation, with a focus on key sectors”), Associate Professor Costel Stanciu, President of the Romanian Association for Consumers’ Protection – APC Romania („Developing knowledge and skills for more effective participation of consumers in the market”), Dr. Nicolae Albu, Expert, S.I.F. Transilvania, and Honorary Member of CRD (“A tourism services perspective on consumer protection”), Professor Dumitru Patriche, Romanian-American University, and Honorary Member of CRD (“Introducing the first course of consumer protection”), Radu Titus Marinescu, Professor at Artifex University, Dumitru Bortun, Associate Professor at NUPSPA (S.N.S.P.A.), and Chairman of the Honorary Jury at Romanian Association of Public Relations Professionals – ARRP, Professor Ion Bulborea, Romanian-American University, Associate Professor Victor Lorin Purcarea, President of the National Organizing Committee of SANABUNA International Congress, Nicolaie Mihaiescu, Vice-president of CRD, Dean Emilia Gabroveanu and Vice Dean Monica Paula Ratiu of the RAU School of Domestic and International Economy of Tourism, Irina Chiritoiu, Director of the European  Consumer Center in Romania, Alexandru Bejan, RAU Alumnus, and UMF Carol Davila and RAU Students.

The lively debate allowed the clarification of questions and concerns, the fresh conversation also conveying scientific and practical information, including new perspectives in consumer protection education in connection with SANABUNA International Congress’ approach. An educated consumer is a powerful consumer, able to protect himself and to modify unfair commercial conduct of the economic operator. In order to achieve this goal, the Romanian Association for Consumers’ Protection – APC Romania – is currently running nationwide the following consumer information and education campaigns: “Say No to the unfair deceptive commercial practices”, “Be an active patient” and “Healthy food - an investment for your health.”

It is worth to mention that within the context of this remarkable Roundtable, Associate Professor Costel Stanciu, President of the Romanian Association for Consumers’ Protection – APC Romania, was awarded the Diploma of „Honorary Member” of the Romanian Distribution Committee, as a prestigious recognition for his endeavor and achievement. Allow as to remember that APC Romania, a Founding Member of the Romanian Distribution Committee, is continuing to confirm the ability to reach its role of independent campaigning voice for Romanian consumers, by focusing on the shared concerns of consumers within Romanian society at large and by constantly covering the complex area of expectations from business in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (https://www.crd-aida.ro/2007/02/apc-romania-consumers%e2%80%99-protection-association-romania-a-founding-member-of-the-romanian-distribution-committee-is-confirming/).