From May 13th to 15th, Materahub proudly participated in the annual assembly of the All Digital Network, a dynamic European consortium dedicated to enhancing digital skills that already trained over 1.5 million Europeans.
The three days in Brussels were a whirlwind of ideas, connections, and learning, highlighting the critical need for ongoing dialogue and innovation amid rapid digital transformation.
On the 13th the All Digital Internal Staff welcomed all members and provided all info regarding the whole program. The first day felt more like an engaging workshop than a typical assembly. Divided into groups, we were challenged to employ our creativity in crafting transformative and innovative educational activities, training programs, and unique learning experiences aimed at digital upskilling.
The workshop utilized the Scaffold methodology, an inventive deck of cards developed by the European Training Foundation (ETF) in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission. The core concept of the Scaffold system is that key competencies – such as digital, entrepreneurial, personal, social, learning, and sustainability skills – develop in tandem and reinforce each other.
Pioneering Digital Inclusion
After a hands-on start, the second day of the assembly saw us moving to the impressive conference hall of the Microsoft Technology Centre.
Here, we engaged in a broader reflection on one of the most pressing and challenging themes of our age: digital inclusion and the need to effectively incorporate it into EU regulations for the digital sector.
As essential services become increasingly digitalized, those who are already facing exclusion or disadvantages risk further marginalization, both from the labor market and the social sphere. This crucial issue, along with information literacy, cybersecurity, and digital well-being, forms the core of this year’s All Digital Weeks.
This annual digital inclusion and empowerment campaign is conducted at digital competence centers, libraries, community centers, schools, and other venues across Europe. It underscores the growing importance of digital skills for European citizens and residents to confidently navigate the ongoing digital transformation.
The day concluded with an exciting session on the applications of artificial intelligence for the future of qualifications. Dries Augustyns, Technical Architect at the Microsoft Technology Center, gave a fascinating demonstration of Copilot. This was followed by a panel discussion with Gerardo Franco, Guillem Porres Canals, and Laurentiu Bunescu, who shared their insights on the role of AI in education and training. Additionally, the new category of the All Digital Awards was launched, recognizing the best use of GenAI in education, setting the stage for innovation in this sector.
The final day was dedicated to governance and future planning, a moment in which we all recognized being part of a community of shared intentions, committed to taking concrete actions for the future of Europe. We voted on formal documents and proposals from the Board of Directors, including the election of two new Board members: Guillem Porres Canals (Spain) and Katrin Schuberth (Germany).
Discussions then turned to the upcoming All Digital Summit 2024 in Madrid, an event poised to further the dialogue on digital skills and inclusion. Additionally, we focused on the implementation of the All Digital Membership Platform, a necessary tool designed to improve communication within the network, enhancing member interaction and collaboration.
Digital Democracy was indeed the central theme of these wonderful three days and the Policy Paper we designed emphasized the need for targeted recommendations for All Digital members, including fact-checking tools, sharing this document on the All Digital website, across social media, and sending it to new MEPs after the elections.
Members highlighted the necessity of adaptable models, accessibility measures, and critical viewpoints on online voting issues.
As we look forward to the All Digital Summit 2024 in Madrid, we remain dedicated to fostering a community that is not only aware of the digital revolution but actively shaping it.
