Empowering the Future: Highlights from the EU Code Week 2024 Launch Event
Publication date: October 12, 2024
The EU Code Week 2024 Launch Event was streamed live from Brussels on Friday 11 October 2024 afternoon. It turned out to be an exciting and dynamic occasion filled with inspiring talks, presentations, and insightful discussions about the future of digital skills across Europe. Moderated by Diana Filip, Deputy CEO of JA Europe, the event served as a springboard for the upcoming EU Code Week, which will take place from 14 to 27 October. During the opening moments, Diana introduced the theme of this year’s Code Week, centred on fostering creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration through coding and technology activities.
Our first speaker was Salvatore Nigro, CEO of JA Europe, who emphasised the importance of digital learning opportunities for young Europeans. He addressed a crucial question whether EU Code Week is still relevant in 2024 and concluded that it is more vital than ever. His remarks set the tone for a deeper conversation about the role of technology in shaping the future, particularly in engaging young people and equipping them with essential digital skills.
The event seamlessly transitioned between live talks from participants joining in person as well as online and interactive sessions. A thought-provoking segment on the relevance of EU Code Week featured a discussion with Mr. Yvo Volman, Director of the Data Directorate at the European Commission, who praised EU Code Week’s contributions to building a digitally literate Europe, stressing the need to maintain momentum in the coming years.
Minecraft Education @ EU Code Week Launch Event
The audience was treated to a fun and educational session on Minecraft Education, led by Microsoft Ireland’s Dream Space team. This engaging demonstration illustrated how gaming platforms can be used to introduce young learners to coding, making it both accessible and enjoyable. The combination of entertainment and education was a recurring theme throughout the event, reminding participants that digital learning can take many forms.
One of the most heartwarming moments came from videos of children sharing their perspectives on what “digital” means to them. It was a reminder that the digital world is no longer just a space for adults, but a playground where children are also actively shaping the future with their curiosity and creativity.
Stéphane du Boispéan – Director for Government Affairs EU & France, Intel and Avanti Sharma – Technology Specialist & Head of Business Development, Workshop4Me
The event further explored the future of digital careers, hosting a panel discussion featuring industry leaders like Anna Di Silverio from Avanade, Stéphane du Boispéan from Intel, and Avanti Sharma from Workshop4Me. This conversation touched on the dynamic landscape of digital careers, the opportunities for young people, and the importance of diversity, particularly focussing on gender balance in the tech world. The speakers provided insights into the fast-growing field of digital careers and shared actionable advice on how to prepare the next generation of tech-savvy professionals.
Gender Equality in Tech
A particularly inspiring part of the event focused on the role of girls and women in the digital space. Diana Filip introduced Angela Jafarova, the EU Code Week ambassador from Latvia and school teacher, who spoke about the challenges and opportunities for girls pursuing digital careers. This session highlighted the need for gender equality in tech and encouraged more girls to explore coding and digital technologies. Angela’s own experiences and insights were a powerful reminder of how important it is to create inclusive digital learning environments.
EU Code Week Hackathon
Diana Filip – Deputy CEO, JA Europe and Dea Kralj – All-Digital
As the event neared its conclusion, attention turned to the upcoming EU Code Week Hackathon, a major event that will bring young coders together from across Europe to tackle real-world challenges through innovation and technology. Dea Kralj, project officer at All-Digital, shared the overarching exciting and ambitious theme for this year’s hackathons “Hello Future,” and encouraged participants to get involved.
The closing moments of the event featured a message from Victor Negrescu, Vice President of the European Parliament, reiterating the EU’s ongoing support for EU Code Week and its role in shaping the continent’s digital future. Diana Filip wrapped up the event with a reminder to stay connected with the EU Code Week community, follow its activities, and continue contributing to the shared goal of building a better digital future for Europe.
In essence, the EU Code Week 2024 Launch Event was an inspiring kickoff, filled with meaningful discussions, practical demonstrations, and a clear message: the future is digital, and it’s for everyone. With a strong community of ambassadors, educators, and tech enthusiasts, EU Code Week promises to continue driving digital transformation across Europe, empowering the next generation of coders and creators.
