A CALL TO ARMS: E-SKILLS BOOK LAUNCH

‘Any public official who values developing young talent and building a culture of innovation in Europe should read, ‘The e-Skills Manifesto, A Call to Arms'.  In this book, leading figures in government, education, policy, research and industry outline the commitments required for preparing European citizens to take on the challenges of the digital age. This evidence-based work firmly places e-Skills as a priority issue for European Institutions and Member States, mapping out as it does the relationship between digital literacy, competitiveness, productivity growth and job creation.  Ade McCormack rightfully highlights that Europe is at a crossroads.  Now is the time for government, industry and education to act in response to the central role digital technologies play in the lives of all citizens, whether at work or in their social environments. Most important, this body of work highlights the basic requirement of engaging, and not ignoring, the public in this paradigm-shift. This book is a clarion call for decision makers to harness talent, leverage opportunities and enable all European citizens to engage fully, and without disadvantage, in the global digital society.'

Jan Muehlfeit, Chairman of Microsoft 

‘The importance of e-skilling cannot be over-emphasised. Productivity growth requires that European citizens not only acquire digital skills for the work and study they currently do, but equip themselves with the tools needed to deal with the pace of the digital revolution sweeping across all cultures and societies. This book encourages stakeholders to re-examine the ways in which European business, education and government approach life-long skilling. For European business and society to benefit in competitive times, those who strive for excellence will be the winners. The e-Skills Manifesto provides a vision for Europe to keep pace with and stay ahead of the competition.'

Johan Deschuyffeleer, Senior Vice President, Technology Services EMEA, HP

"Motorola welcomes the e-Skills Manifesto and strongly supports its "call to arms".

Earlier this year in Europe, the e-Skills week, 2-5 March 2010 proved a big success; however we need to keep momentum high at both EU and national levels to ensure that all European citizens are equipped with the necessary skills in technology to embrace the digital revolution.

All stakeholders, whether governments, schools or industry, need to work together to develop e-Skills initiatives for citizens.

This manifesto is a call to arms for us all. Only with strong e-Skills programs can we boost innovation and entrepreneurship and develop a smart, sustainable and inclusive Europe by 2020."

Karen Tandy, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications Motorola

 

To download ‘The e-Skills Manifesto, A Call to Arms', please visit:

http://eskills-week.ec.europa.eu/e-skills_Manifesto

 e-Skills Manifesto PR (.pdf)