We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming panel discussion “Mainstreaming Digital Youth Policy,” which will take place on October 11, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in Brussels and online (via Zoom) as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek)!

To attend the event, please fill out this short questionnaire: https://forms.gle/axtMWXy5PRSbcXFv9

This event takes place in the midst of a growing debate about digitalization and the digital transition of the EU and its impact on societies across Europe. CONNECT International was one of the few organizations that enthusiastically welcomed the new wave of digital transformation, owing to its prior field experience. In order to create a high-quality digital infrastructure that benefits young people and other citizens, CONNECT International and its members have been tirelessly exploring ways to deploy digital tools and innovation more effectively in youth policy.  

This event takes place in the midst of a growing debate about digitalization. In order to create a high-quality digital infrastructure that benefits young people and other citizens, CONNECT International and its members have been tirelessly exploring ways to deploy digital tools and innovation more effectively in youth policy.  

These are just some of the questions that we will look to answer on October 11th from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., within the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek)! Join us live, in-person in Brussels or online, and take part in the upcoming event! 

The philosophy behind this event

We trust that the local and regional authorities are the closest to the daily lives of the citizens in their communities, and therefore have a significant role in ensuring that the digital transition is happening meaningfully and to the benefit of their citizens. This event will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and arguments for bringing humanity to digital life and ensuring that technology is used to benefit all young people and other citizens while protecting their digital rights. The added value of this event is that it brings together civil society, European institutions, local and regional authorities, and the private sector to discuss various challenges and opportunities related to youth policy supporting digital transformation at local and regional level—a format that is often overlooked. CI believes that local and regional authorities play an important role in delivering digital transformation and bringing it closer to all citizens—while protecting their rights and ensuring that it is used to benefit citizens rather than the other way around. Through this event, we hope to empower young people, local and regional authorities, European institutions, and big tech companies to explore how technology can benefit young people, adult citizens, and society as a whole! This will also be an opportunity for CoR members to present their work and perspectives on how digital tools can bring about positive change on local and regional levels, identify challenges, and discuss potential side effects when delivering the Digital Agenda in their daily work. 

About the European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek) 

The European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek) is the biggest annual Brussels-based event dedicated to cohesion policy. It has grown to become a unique communication and networking platform, bringing together regions and cities from all over Europe, including politicians, administrators, experts and academics. Over the last 19 years, it has done much to promote policy learning and the exchange of good practices. In 2021, the second digital edition, reached a record number of almost 18.000 registered participants and 300 sessions over a week, involving more than 590 partners. To learn more about the #EURegionsWeek, check out: https://europa.eu/regions-and-cities/