“Our digital future, c’est ICI” offered young adults a platform for debate that addressed our digital future in a holistic and positive way, and focused on identifying the principles, processes and decisions that will lead to the most inclusive digital societies.
Over the past 30 years, a new digital culture, interactivity and instantaneous communication have fundamentally changed our world. We are now at a new crossroads: advances in augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence; the ‘internet of things’; how we interact with devices and the disappearance of the keyboard; big data and user experience tailored to the individual will all change how we live, work, play and participate in society – administratively, economically, socially and politically.
What are the potential benefits of these changes, what are the potential drawbacks? How can we ensure that such changes lead to the further development of inclusive societies?
Project Outcomes & Recommendations
During onsite and online events, groups of young Canadian and European adults (aged 18-30) met and debated, with the support of facilitators. The groups were tasked with developing ideas for the political direction of Canadian and European governments. These meetings - first onsite and then online - were accompanied by online workshops for the participants as well as online conferences with Canadian and European experts to suggest ideas and stimulate the participants.
Initially, the participants brainstormed on several problems related to the theme of each event and their effects on digital inclusion (for example: citizenship, social relations, life in cities, racism, health in a post-pandemic time). Among the discussed topics, the most pressing issues were selected for further elaboration under the form of feasible policy solutions and actions.
To tackle these challenges, participants drafted policy recommendations with specific sets of actions to be taken.
Download their recommendations for an inclusive digital future:
After two exciting and successful years of youth transatlantic dialogues, we wrapped up the project with a closing event on Thursday, 25 February 2021 with presentations by Thinkathon winners from across the EU and Canada and a discussion of their recommendations with policy makers.
Invited speakers and policy makers:
- Melita Gabrič, Ambassador of European Union to Canada
- Philipp-André Rodriguez, center for International Digital Policy
- Chris Glover, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), Legislative Assembly of Ontario
- Marta Markowska, European Commission
- Dragos Tudorache, Member of the European Parliament (Renew Europe)
Speaker series
How can technology help to solve current issues such as: racism, gender equality, health, education and climate change? How can we ensure that the solutions to these issues do not exclude lower-income households, people of colour, women, or LGBTQQIP2SAA individuals?
Follow the discussion accompanying our Online Thinkathon Challenge #2 with our speaker series highlighting inspiring experts and policy makers.
Our Digital Future - Speaker Series #1 Advancing Digital Health for a Safer Future
How can the public health sector in Europe and Canada ensure that the digital health initiatives do not exclude low income households, people living in rural areas, or minorities? How can technology be beneficial in the age of Coronavirus?
Our Digital Future - Speaker Series #2 Mind the (Gender) Gap
How can we ensure that women and LGBTQS2AI individuals receive equal opportunities and pay in all work forces? How can technology aid in this equality gap?
Our Digital Future- Speaker Series #3 How can we fight against racism in a digital age?
How can we as a society ensure that a person's heritage does not interfere with their ability to participate and thrive in a technology-driven world? How can we use technological advancements to better include people of colour and marginalised communities?
Our Digital Future- Speaker Series Fostering Digital Education for Social Inclusion
Tackling the ‘digital divide’ to make sure education, technology, and skills development opportunities are open and accessible to all is an immediate priority. In order to make sure no one is left behind, social inclusion policies and practices must reach the most vulnerable - allowing technology to help those most in need rather than hinder them. What best practices can be taken from the EU and Canada in ensuring digital inclusion in education? How digital technology can be utilised for social inclusion?
What happens when youth multiply their intellectual capacities and create projects aimed at making our future more digitally inclusive? What are the implications for our society, our politics, our culture, our environment in a digital future?
Our Digital Future - Online Online Challenge #2
Participate online with engaged young people from Europe and Canada and develop ideas to make your digital future inclusive. Join existing teams or create your own. The topics of this second version are: racism, health, education, climate change and gender equality. You will be accompanied by experienced mentors from Europe and Canada in the second step.
