Brussels – As part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, on 11 October CONNECT organised a panel discussion titled “Mainstreaming Digital Youth Policy.”

The event brought together representatives of youth organisations and local and regional authorities from over 20 countries.  Mr Tine Radinja, (Mayor of Škofja Loka from Slovenia and COR’s Rapporteur on the Future of Youth Policy) and Ms Stacey Featherstone (Public Policy Manager for Stakeholder Engagement – EU Affairs, META)  discussed how digitalization and digital transformation policies impact young people and youth policy at the local and regional levels, how large tech companies work to ensure the safety of online communities, and how young people can be empowered to become active digital citizens.

Mr Radinja also presented the findings of his Report on the Future of Youth Policy, emphasising its digital component and highlighting the significance of developing the digital competences of both young people and educators, as well as important considerations regarding the use of digital tools to ensure meaningful youth participation. Ms Featherstone presented META’s work on Digital Citizenship and how META complies with international and local regulations to ensure the safe and empowering use of its products while at the same time creating enabling space for positive change. The event was organised and moderated by CONNECT International, Brussels based network, that actively works on Digital Agenda.

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