European Commissioners celebrate EU Code Week
Publication date: October 8, 2021
European Commissioners celebrate EU Code Week by highlighting the value of acquiring digital and technological skills for the younger generations.
For the 9th edition of EU Code Week, various Vice-Presidents and Commissioners from the European Commission shared their support to the EU Code Week movement in a video.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive VP for Europe Fit for the Digital Ange and Competition was the first to explain that “Learning to use technology isn’t just cracking the code of a complex computer program. It’s cracking the code of the world that we live in. Understand why we see this instead of that why we hear this instead of that. So, we must all get the right digital skills.”
Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, remindedus that “we all work or study on computers, we drive cars and stream TV series and films thanks to millions of lines of code. We tend to forget but everything in digital technology starts with a line of code. Being able to understand it, to write it in a meaningful sequence is truly the superpower of the 21st century and those who participate in EU Code Week take a first step to acquire this skill.”
Margaritis Schinas, VP for Promoting the European Way of Life, pointed out that striving for the best is part of the DNA of European culture and heritage and there is a need for a skills revolution. “The Code Week can be an important contribution to our jump to the digital age. Do not miss this opportunity to become creators not just passive consumers of digital technology.”
Everyone active in EU Code Week contributes to the EU’s Digital decade targets, by accompanying younger generations in entering the world of programming and digital technologies, to ignite their passion for technology and maybe even help them find their professional future at an early age.
The Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, said: “If you always wanted to try coding then EU Code Week is there to help you get started. And I’d like to encourage both girls and boys to improve their digital skills create content rather than consume it and be ready for the world of tomorrow.”
Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights highlighted the importance of coding in the years to come for our younger generations, something he has perceived first-hand by getting involved in the creation of a coding school years ago. “Getting these digital skills has proven invaluable for getting a quality job.”
Finally, Mariya Gabriel, the EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, encouraged people of all ages to join us. “By participating in the European Code Week you are one click closer to acquire and master a new language. A global language that you can pass on and teach around you. Technologies are what we make of them you can become actors of change in a world more connected and more green.”
Watch their participation in our EU Code Week Launch Event:
