EU Code Week 2023 kicks off to encourage young people to acquire coding and digital skills

The EU Code Week began on Saturday 7 October this year. Then today (9 October) from 16:00-18:00 there will be a livestreamed event with speakers from the education and advanced digital skills domain who will share their insights into the importance of coding, and connect live with schools showcasing remarkable coding education actions. The aim of the Code Week initiative is to encourage young people take up coding and pursue a career in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

There is a significant shortage of specialists using advanced digital technologies, while at the same time ICT specialists as well as girls and women in the EU are underrepresented in the digital field. The EU is committed to increasing basic digital skills among at least 80% of those aged 16-74. The first report on the State of the Digital Decade reveals that without significant changes, the EU will fall far behind, with only 59% of the population possessing basic digital skills by 2030 – hence, more needs to be done to achieve the EU target.

Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said: “In the next years, the EU will need more and more qualified and creative ICT specialists. We must help trigger the interest of young people and encourage them from an early age on to get involved with science and technology. The EU Code Week is an important initiative to engage children in coding and computational activities.”

This year EU Code Week marks its 11^th edition and will take place from 7 to 22 October. Anyone can take part, while at the same time materials in 29 languages have been made available for free to support activity organisers, such as teachers, and an interactive map shows the activities by area.

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