“Protecting vulnerable individuals must never come at the cost of their autonomy and dignity.”

The Facing Death project operates in one of the most sensitive areas of human experience, where personal data protection, human dignity, and freedom of choice at the end of life intersect. While individuals in the final stages of life are often perceived as especially vulnerable and in need of heightened protection, such assumptions can lead to overprotection by relatives, institutions, and even care organizations—ultimately undermining personal autonomy and dignity.

In her contribution, Alenka Križnik presents the key risks encountered during the project’s implementation and outlines the strategies developed to identify, assess, and prevent them. Central to this approach are informed consent, interdisciplinary collaboration, continuous reflection, and the empowerment of all those involved. The talk offers valuable insights into ethically responsible practice and risk management in end-of-life care and support.