What does the EU do for me: edition #DigitalEducation

Every 9th of May, Europe day is celebrated. Why, you might ask; and why is this important to me?

In this article, we will try to answer these two questions –assuming that, if you’ve come this far and are now reading these lines, you’re familiar with DigiEduHack or, at least, you’re interested in digital education.

The first one has an easy answer: It’s the anniversary of the signing of the Schuman declaration in 1950. As additional questions could arise now, here’s the short version: Five years after the end of World War II, Mr. Schuman was the French minister of foreign affairs when, on the 9th of May 1950, he proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community - precursor of our current day European Union.

Why is this important to you? This is trickier to answer – there are over 400 million citizens in the EU. Nonetheless, here are some facts related to digital education that should be relevant to all of us:

• 54% of people aged 16-74 have basic digital skills.
• 1/3 of the eight-graders are underachieving in digital skills . 
• Less than 20% of EU students in upper-secondary schools with an internet speed above 100 mbps.
• 4 out of 5 female European students have never engaged in coding at school.

In a world where technology’s fast paced advancements could easily make our heads go dizzy, the EU is actively working to ensure a high quality, inclusive and accessible education in Europe, through the Digital Education Action Plan and its actions, one of which is also DigiEduHack.

Only in mid-April, the Commission proposed an ambitious digital education and skills package with the objective to provide high-quality, inclusive and accessible digital education and training and develop the digital skills of all Europeans. The package includes two proposals for Council Recommendation – on key enablers for successful digital education and training and training and on improving the provision of digital skills in education and training

These advancements in the EU policy on digital education remind us of what we’re celebrating today. Thus, let us finish with one of Mr. Schuman’s most famous quote from his 9th of May declaration: “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which will first create a de facto solidarity”.

Happy Europe Day!