The Council of Europe's education ministers have designated the year 2025 as the « European Year of Digital Citizenship Education ». The urgency is for efforts and investments in education at digital citizenship in order to address the challenges and opportunities of the digital environment. Digital citizenship education is not limited to the acquisition of technical skills. It also includes the development of critical thinking, awareness of responsible online behavior and the protection of digital identity.
This year is a strategic platform for stakeholders to collaborate, set common goals and share enlightening practices. It also represents a space to assess progress made to define a roadmap for the future of digital citizenship education. For young people in rural areas, this approach is crucial to ensure their inclusion and active participation in an increasingly digital society.
The Council of Europe will deploy an ambitious plan to deliver this initiative, including by organising international events, implementing innovative social media campaigns and working closely with a range of stakeholders, including education ministries, educators, learners, academics, private and civil sector organisations, and youth organisations.
