The European Commission launched its vision for the digital transformation of Europe on 9 May 2021. Digital skills feature significantly as one of four focus areas, with an aim that at least 80% of the European population have basic digital skills by 2030.
The four “cardinal points” of ‘Europe’s Digital Compass’ will be realized through targets, international projects, and investment from the EU, Member States and the private sector. They will also be supported through an ‘interinstitutional solemn declaration’ of ‘digital citizenship’, with a set of digital rights and digital principles, including universal digital education and skills.
European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said, “As a continent, Europe has to ensure that its citizens and businesses have access to a choice of state-of-the-art technologies that will make their life better, safer, and even greener – provided they also have the skills to use them. In the post pandemic world, this is how we will shape together a resilient and digitally sovereign Europe. This is Europe’s Digital Decade.”
The Digital Compass will be featured in the first day of an upcoming online conference organised by the European Commission on 1 and 2 June 2021. The second day will see the launch of the Digital Europe Programme, which will finance European digital projects.
More information about the Digital Compass can be found on the website of the European Commission. Registration for the Leading the Digital Decade event is also open on the Commission’s website.
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