ArtsFormation

Thirty years ago, the internet, social media and smartphones had not been invented. Yet a generation later, almost every facet of our individual, public and -now- online life are dominated by the fast-pacing digital transformation. Last year we saw the privacy and data of millions of social media users compromised with little to no accountability for those responsible, national elections influenced by users in different states, news outlets struggling to convince readers of facts, and the

European Union taking proactive measure to protect the data privacy of its citizens in its first transnational regulatory action. Yet, the digital literacies and capabilities necessary for citizens to thrive in a digital society and act as responsible and effective participants, are unequally distributed across the European cultural, economic and social strata, with the public sphere consequently rapidly dissolving.

Science learning initiatives outside the classroom are crucial in educating and forming Europe’s next generation of researchers and innovators. By gaining insights into these initiatives all around Europe SySTEM 2020 wants to gain a better understanding of the types and kinds of programmes in operation, learn from each other and collaborate to be able to respond to challenges ahead.