Digital Skills Summit 2024
27 November 2024 I 9:00-14:00 CET I Brussels (Comet Meetings) & Online
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the need for advanced digital skills is more crucial than ever. From AI and software to cybersecurity, those at the forefront of technology development are essential to driving Europe’s technological leadership and economic resilience. However, bridging the gap between industry, academia, and policymakers remains a challenge.
Can Europe rise to the occasion and become a global leader in digital innovation?
Join us at the Digital Skills Summit, where key stakeholders will discuss the importance of advanced digital skills and how they contribute to Europe’s future as a digital powerhouse.
ESSA Software Skills will be featured in the panel on the European Digital Skills Strategy, sharing insights into aligning digital skills programmes with market needs, current trends, and future developments.
Agenda
9:00 – 9:15 Registration and Welcome Coffee
9:15 – 9:30 Opening Remarks
The Importance of Digital Skills in the Modern Economy
Cecilia Bonefeld Dahl, Director General, DIGITALEUROPE
The opening remarks will underscore how advanced digital skills drive innovation and competitiveness in Europe’s economy. Taking the premises from digital literacy, it will emphasise the importance of integrating digital skills into various sectors, highlighting how these skills can catalyse economic growth, enhance job creation, and ensure the sustainability of European businesses in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
9:30 – 10:00 Keynote Address
Digital education and skills: key enablers for advancing European competitiveness and resilience
Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, Director General, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport & Culture, European Commission
The keynote address explores how advanced digital skills are essential for securing Europe’s leadership in technology. The talk will highlight the importance of this leadership, not only in relation to economic growth but also how digital skills are vital in building resilience against the challenges of disinformation and fake news.
10:00 – 10:45 Panel Discussion 1: Enhancing Defence and Security with Digital Skills
Building on the keynote themes, this session explores the urgent need for digital skills to strengthen Europe’s defence and security sectors. Experts will discuss practical strategies to leverage advanced digital competencies to counter today’s complex threats, including hybrid and conventional attacks, cybersecurity risks, misinformation, natural disasters, and climate-related challenges. The panel will examine how Europe can swiftly address skill gaps, foster workforce development, and enhance public-private collaboration to ensure the defence sector is fully equipped to meet emerging challenges effectively.
Panelists:
- Laura Jiménez Orgaz, Global Head of Cyber GRC, Cybersecurity, Santander
Saskia Van Uffelen, Digital Manager, Agoria - Luca Tagliaretti, Executive Director, European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and Network
- Matteo Paonni, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission, Joint Research Centre
Moderated by: Constantinos Hadjisavvas, Director for Digital Resilience and Defence, DIGITALEUROPE
11:15 – 12:00 Panel Discussion 2: The European Digital Skills Strategy
The second panel will concentrate on insights from the European Software Skills Alliance (ESSA), a pan-European initiative committed to enhancing software skills and preparing the European workforce to meet the demands of the digital future. This discussion will feature strategies and best practices for developing and aligning digital skills programs with market needs, current trends, and future developments.
Panelists:
- Pilar Roch, Director General, AMETIC
- Katarzyna Kozioł, Principal Business Developer – Global Education, Amazon Web Services
- Georgi Dimitrov, Head of Unit Digital Education, European Commission, DG EAC
Moderated by: Vincenzo Renda, Director for Single Market & Digital Competitiveness, DIGITALEUROPE
12:00 – 12:45 Panel Discussion 3: Leveraging Standards for Consistent Digital Skills Training in Europe
The third panel addresses the importance of establishing standardised frameworks for digital skills across Europe. The discussion will highlight efforts to harmonise training, certification, and qualification frameworks to maintain relevance and efficacy in the face of rapid technological advancements.
Panelists:
- Andreea Gulacsi, Director Policy and External Affairs, CEN CENELEC
- Wanda Saabeel, Senior education & standardisation expert
- Emilio Davila Gonzalez, Head of ICT Standardisation Sector, European Commission DG CNECT
Moderated by: Helena Lovegrove, Senior Director for Operations & Projects, DIGITALEUROPE
12:45 – 13:00 Closing Remarks
Jose Martinez Usero, Director of Projects, DIGITALEUROPE
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch and networking