President von der Leyen’s 2021 Address on the State of the European Union brought to light the many positive actions of the EU during the challenges of the last twelve months. Looking to the future, she announced the new initiatives for the coming year, including new Acts to further digital transformation, new programmes for young people and the continuation of vaccination efforts.
President von der Leyen said she gains confidence from the inspiration that can be drawn from Europe’s young people. The European Union ‘will be stronger if it is more like our next generation: reflective, determined and caring.’ Everything that the European Union does, from Green Deal to NextGenerationEU, is protecting the future of the European young people.
Europe needs all its youth, she highlighted. There will be a step up in support for those not in any kind of education, employment or training – like our current Women4IT trainees. A new programme to find temporary work experience in another Member State – ALMA – will be championed, and a proposal has been made by President von der Leyen to make 2022 the Year of European Youth.
Moreover, digital is the issue that will be make-or-break, President von der Leyen emphasised. It is expected that digital spending in NextGenerationEU will overshoot the 20% target. This reflects the importance of doubling down to shape the digital transformation according to the Union’s own rules and values.
At Women4IT we are proud to have worked in line with these priorities over the last 2,5 years, supporting young women at risk of exclusion from the labour market by providing training in essential digital skills and helping to boost their employability.
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Read the full #SOTEU speech State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen
Watch the full #SOTEU speech here #SOTEU2021
