Kroes applauds launch of Lithuanian National Digital Coalition
European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes has welcomed a commitment by the Lithuanian government to boost educational, library and digital and ICT sectors and increase digital skills and jobs in Lithuania.
A total of 11 partner organisations and associations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) officially launching the Lithuanian National Digital Coalition in Vilnius at event, ICT 2013. The Lithuanian Coalition aims to reduce the shortage of IT professionals, to encourage training programmes via a life-long learning approach, and to augment awareness about the importance of digital literacy and ICT skills.
The MoU was signed by Rimantas Sinkevičius, Lithuania’s Minister for Transport and Communications and representatives of the Lithuanian Municipal Public Libraries Association, the ICT Association Infobalt, Vilnius University, Association “Langas į ateitį”, Lithuanian Computer Society and ECDL, National Association of Distance Education, Lithuanian Computer Science Teachers Association, Kaunas University of Technology, the Ministry of Education and Science, and Ministry of Social Security and Labour.
Kroes said: “I am certain that the Lithuanian Coalition will become an inspiring model for other member states. There is huge commitment from the partners and strong political support in Lithuania and at EU level. The Coalition has a huge task, and I encourage them to look into using the structural funds, particularly the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative to bring digital skills to Europe’s lost generation.”
ICT2013, Europe’s largest digital event, will close today in the capital Vilnius.
