Episode 1: Let’s bring basic skills back in the European Year of Skills

by Silvano
April 11, 2023June 9, 2023

On June 7th, we hosted the first episode of our Digital Inclusion event series: Back to Basics. This hybrid event took place in Brussels and reunited different key actors in the skills field towards a common objective: to prioritise basic skills – with an integrated approach that includes basic digital skills – in the European Skills Agenda. As this year has been declared the European Year of Skills by the European Commission, it is a fruitful context to work towards ensuring equity and inclusion. During the event, our Collective emphasised the need to address basic skills as a prerequisite for this relevant year: the skills gap cannot be closed without addressing first individuals with low skills. In the same way, the digital divide cannot be bridged without addressing individuals with no to low digital skills first.

During his opening speech, Gori Yahaya – Co-Director and Co-Founder of DigiCo – highlighted how basic digital skills have become a necessity in today’s world, becoming a basic skill for individuals to be able to thrive in modern society. In this context, basic digital literacy is the first step towards integrating disadvantaged groups who currently have no to low basic digital skills and who risk being sidelined in the processes of upskilling and reskilling.

Gori Yahaya then welcomed the first guest speaker of the event to the stage, Ana Carrero – Deputy Head of Unit for Cedefop at DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion from the European Commission. The first panel was called “In Conversation with the European Commission: Where do basic skills stand in the European Year of Skills?”. During her presentation, Ana Carrero highlighted strategic objectives and initiatives the European Commission is working on to ensure relevant skills learning pathways and sustainable growth in this European Year of Skills.

The second panel of the event, “Fireside chat: How can AI contribute to bridging the digital divide?” was a conversation between Gerardo Franco – Philanthropies Lead Western Europe at Microsoft – and Silvano de Marte – Communications & Community Engagement Officer at DigiCo – where Artificial Intelligence played a central role. The speakers first addressed AI and the changes it will bring about regarding the labour market, and then moved into AI and its potential to narrow the digital skills gap. In this respect, Gerardo Franco enumerated three aspects that need special attention: 1) address computer science education in young people, 2) handle the needs of workers today for reskilling and upskilling, and 3) put special attention to all those people who are not in those two categories (such as individuals from non-traditional backgrounds and underserved populations). He also highlighted that educators play a fundamental role in this transitional period, that AI literacy is crucial to make the best use of this new technology, and that soft skills such as critical thinking and empathy will be the skills that will help individuals use AI in the best and most positive way towards inclusiveness.

The third panel of the event, “Panel Discussion: European and Global best practices for tackling basic (digital) skills gaps”, welcomed three experts in adult education with different levels of governance: global, European and regional. Rakhat Zholdoshalieva – Team Leader and Researcher at UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) -, Viola Pinzi – Head of Projects at the European Association for the Education of Adults -, and Antra Carlsen – Head Coordinator at the Nordic Network for Adult Learning (NVL) – joined Léa Ichikawa – Program Manager at DigiCo – to discuss best practices for basic skills training. All three speakers gave their perspectives on solutions to reducing the basic skills gap and increasing the number of individuals that reach basic skills while sharing concrete examples and best practices within their governance. They also discussed lifelong learning and highlighted equity and inclusion as fundamental notions for policy, curriculum and training design. The event ended after Léa Ichikawa’s closing remarks.

Did you miss the event, or would you like to see it again?

Follow us on our Social Media channels to stay updated on this and other upcoming events: