Implementing the ambitious Digital Agenda for Europe unveiled by the European Commission the 19th May 2010 will contribute significantly to the EU's economic growth and spread the benefits of the digital era to all sections of society.

The Digital Agenda outlines seven priority areas for action:

1. creating a digital Single Market,
2. greater interoperability,
3. boosting internet trust and security,
4. faster internet access,
5. more investment in research and development,
6. enhancing digital literacy skills and inclusion and
7. applying information and communications technologies to address challenges facing society like climate change and the ageing population.

In these seven areas, the Digital Agenda foresees some 100 follow-up actions, of which 31 are legislative:

A digital agenda for Europe

There are two key reference points to the women in technology issue in the approved document:

'2.6 Enhancing digital literacy, skills and inclusion

2.6.1        Digital literacy and skills

…..In addition, given there are 30 million women between the ages of 15-24, it is necessary to improve the attractiveness of the ICT sector for professional use and in particularly for the production and design of technology.

2.6.2 Inclusive digital services

ACTIONS

The Commission will:

• Key Action 10: Propose digital literacy and competences as a priority for the European Social Fund regulation (2014-2020);
• Key Action 11: By 2012, develop tools to identify and recognise the competences of ICT practitioners and users, linked to the European Qualifications Framework and to EUROPASS and develop a European Framework for ICT Professionalism to increase the competences and the mobility of ICT practitioners across Europe;
• Other actions:
  - Make digital literacy and skills a priority of the "New skills for new jobs" Flagship to be launched in 2010, including the launch of a multi-stake-holder sectoral council for ICT skills and employment to address demand and supply aspects;
  - Promote a higher participation of young women and women returners in the ICT workforce through support for web-based training resources, gamebased eLearning and social networking.'

Click on the photos to find out more about key activities and initiatives in 2010!