Comment Neelie (Kroes)

It's my dream to get every European digital. But what a challenge! Today, one in four European adults has never used the Internet. We need to do something about that.sentence permalink

This in an age where the Internet is the tool to do everything – buy, socialise, read the news, get public services, apply for jobs.sentence permalink

Those one in four adults have never benefited from any of those online opportunities. Yet they also have the most to gain: because, all too often, it's the same people who are also at risk of other kinds of exclusion: the poor, the elderly, the less educated.sentence permalink

And remember that today, unemployment, especially among young people, is a cancer in our society. But in the not so distant future, 90% of jobs could require digital skills. We'd better get ready and "skill up".sentence permalink

So I welcome today's event. It's a practical demonstration of how we can help get everyone online: in a direct and pragmatic way.sentence permalink

It's a smart move to have this event on International Women's Day. Because there's a real problem here. Not enough girls are going into ICT careers. That's such a shame given they are both fascinating, and central to our economy and society.sentence permalink

How do we get more girls involved? Three ways.sentence permalink

First, we must show the many ways in which ICT empowers women. Whether it's helping people with family commitments work or train from home. Or a tool for self-expression: ICT can help women. Already we're seeing more and more sites delivering for women – sites like Mumsnet or Pinterest. But I'm convinced we can go further.sentence permalink

Because there's a virtuous circle here: the more women see that ICT delivers for them, the more they will want to get involved; the more they get involved the better it can adapt to their needs.sentence permalink

Second, start young. At school, as many as 90% of girls are interested in ICT. But they don't convert that into university study – and that's where the boys overtake.sentence permalink

And third, role models are important. If all girls hear is that ICT is for boys who like sitting alone in their rooms – well, that's what they'll believe. But if girls meet people who are positive about ICT, if they realise that ICT careers are exciting and exuberant, with the chance to travel, to help others and to work independently — then they will be turned on to it.sentence permalink

So I'm glad we have so many great role models right here in the room: businesswomen and activists, politicians and policymakers. You can help us spread the word and show that ICT is for everyone.sentence permalink

I want to play my part too. Today I and others have made a powerful and clear statement. That technology isn't a boy's world. That we need to bring together the ICT revolution and the gender equality revolution. That the exponential growth in ICT shouldn't just be governed by Moore's Law: but by a "more women" law. If you believe in those ideas: sign up too, and join the movement of digital women.sentence permalink

Imagine if we could get every European digital. We could give these new opportunities to everyone, including the most disadvantaged, isolated or excluded.sentence permalink

And we could save significant public money too: in fact up to 30 billion euros a year across Europe through increased use of eGovernment. No government can ignore that in times of austerity across Europe.sentence permalink

That's why I say that every EU country needs a "digital champion". People taking dedicated and tailored action to get everyone online. To lead their national efforts by working with public, private and voluntary actors. And to work together to ensure every European benefits from their experience. The UK and Romania already have national digital champions: I'm looking forward to hearing who the others will be.sentence permalink

So thanks to all those of you at the grassroots helping get every European digital. At the launch of this year's Get Online Week, we all need to be as dedicated as you are to this goal. And you are indeed promising to get twice as many new people online this year as last. But beyond getting people online, it's about digital inclusion in its widest sense: finding our young people jobs, helping generations learn from each other, encouraging active ageing, and promoting civic engagement.sentence permalink

Well done to all of you doing that: you're all digital heroes.sentence permalink