We officially kicked off this year’s All Digital Weeks campaign on 17 March in Brussels with a dynamic launch event that brought together 50 participants from across Europe.
The day featured a high-level panel discussion, a powerful live testimonial from a learner who benefited from digital skills training, an interactive brainstorming session, and the official campaign presentation – all setting the tone for the three-week digital inclusion campaign.
High-level panel: Voices of digital inclusion
Moderated by our CEO David Mekkaoui, the panel sparked powerful reflections and bold ideas:
- Andreea Dima, MAKS, shared how digital skills training provided through the All Digital network is transforming lives by helping people reach their full potential and access job opportunities.
- Elisa Gambardella, President, Lifelong Learning Platform (LLLP), reminded us that lifelong learning is essential for ensuring no one is left behind in the digital transition.
- Victor Negrescu, Vice President, European Parliament, MEP Romania, called for concrete measures and clear budget allocations for digital upskilling at the EU level and emphasised that AI must bridge gaps and not widen them.
- Nathalie Pensaert, HR Director, Council of the EU, addressed the impact of digital fatigue in the workplace and the urgent need for better tools and policies to support digital well-being.
- Riina Vuorikari, DigComp expert, advocated for the vital role of digital competences and the DigComp framework in helping citizens confidently navigate the digital world.
Live testimonial: The power of digital inclusion training
One of the most powerful moments of the launch event was the testimonial by Bernard Kadima Muzela, who shared how his life was transformed after participating in a digital skills training offered by MAKS – an opportunity that led him to find a job. Watch his story down below!
Interactive session: Ideas into action
All participants joined an engaging interactive session, facilitated by the All Digital team and supported by experts from the panel discussion. Together, they developed actionable solutions to help overcome barriers to digital inclusion across All Digital’s five key focus areas. Here are some highlights:
Access to Digital
- Basic digital skills are a right, not a luxury
- Tailor trainings to diverse groups
- Ensure digital access at schools
- Support older learners
- Combine digital with non-digital learning
- More public funding and private sector partnerships
Digital Upskilling
- Use engaging training methods like gamification
- Promote intergenerational mentorship
- Adapt training approaches for different age groups
- Secure investment for better infrastructure
AI and Emerging Tech
- Promote AI literacy and responsible use
- Support formal and informal education actors in advancing AI inclusion
- Create safe spaces for experimentation and learning with AI
- Encourage the development of affordable and trustworthy European AI
- Hold the private sector accountable for supporting inclusive AI
Digital Well-Being
- Build digital resilience for everyone
- Develop mental health resources to promote healthy social media use and positive digital self-expression
- Provide training on privacy, digital footprints,and the safe use of technology
Digital Skills Policy
- Ensure alignment of EU policies with local realities
- Involve civil society in policy development and consult local platforms
- Bridge the gap between citizens and institutions
- Translate policies into action by sharing best practices
We also received strong messages about what role All Digital can play to support these actions:
- Build strong partnerships
- Advocate for digital skills funding
- Share best practices
- Host networking and expert events
- Support capacity building and collaboration
- Connect the grassroots level with Brussels
- Campaign for the accessibility of digital tools for all
A special thanks goes to our volunteers who wrapped up the outcomes of each working group: Natalie Jubb from Digital Poverty Alliance, Giulia Meschino from European Vocational Training Association – EVTA, Diana Nitu from European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training-EVBB, Noémi Grette and Cheryl Miller from Digital Leadership Institute.
Ready for more?
The launch event set the stage for an exciting campaign, inspiring action towards a digitally inclusive and skills-ready Europe. The day was concluded with presentation of this year’s campaign programme by All Digital COO Peter Palvolgyi and a networking reception where participants had the chance to further connect with each other for future collaboration on digital inclusion.
Check out the upcoming international events at the All Digital Weeks campaign and join the movement for digital inclusion:
