ECDL Foundation to Host High-Level European Round Table to Promote Digital Literacy and e-Inclusion

Under the Patronage of European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes, Key Actors from the European Commission, the European Parliament, National Governments, and Stakeholders Will Attend a Brussels Round Table to Aid the Achievement of Principal Aims of the Digital Agenda for Europe

The Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) is the European Commission’s (EC) comprehensive roadmap outlining measures to stimulate economic growth, and promote social inclusion through the creation of a more competitive and digitally streamlined Europe. ECDL Foundation, as a leading advocate for the promotion of digital skills and inclusion, is holding the first European Round Table on the Digital Literacy, Skills and e-Inclusion action areas of the DAE, which will take place at the European Parliament on 7 December.

Organised under the patronage of Vice-President Kroes, and hosted by Mr. Seán Kelly, MEP, this event brings together key EC officials, Members of the European Parliament, representatives of national governments, and stakeholders to:

·         Discuss the reality of delivering on the goals of the DAE at national level and,

·         Endeavour to map future steps needed for the success of the ‘Enhancing Digital Literacy, Skills and Inclusion’ pillar of the Digital Agenda for Europe.

Sean Kelly MEP (EPP), Member of the Culture and Education Committee of the European Parliament, highlighted "the paramount importance of enhancing digital literacy, skills and e-inclusion”. 

"With so much social and economic activity moving online, it is imperative from both the social inclusion and economic competitiveness perspectives that citizens are afforded the opportunity to develop greater digital literacy.  The ECDL Foundation has been at the heart of progress in this area and I welcome the opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of promoting the Digital Agenda for Europe as a key tool in bridging the digital divide.”

ECDL Foundation and its Europe-wide network of national partners have been working intensively over the last 12 months to achieve the actions outlined around e-skills and inclusion, and during this First European Round Table progress on actions committed to will be reviewed and potential targets and milestones for the next 12 months will be discussed. This event will mark the first in a series of European Round Tables to raise the profile of e-skills, foster sustainable action, and ensure a virtuous cycle of feedback into European policy.

This unique event provides a crucial opportunity to realistically appraise, and to build upon significant actions already taken around the digital literacy and e-skills elements of the DAE within a high-level multi-stakeholder forum. The event provides a complement to the ‘Going Local’ initiatives of the EC, and is aligned with the aims of the pan-European ‘e-Skills Week’ initiative.