The Standing Conference of Ministers of Education of the Council of Europe member states designated the year 2025 as the “European Year of Digital Citizenship Education” at its 26th session on 29 September 2023. This initiative aims to address the urgent need for increased efforts and investment in digital citizenship education to effectively respond to challenges and opportunities that have emerged or been amplified by digital technologies and environment.

The European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025 stands as a unique opportunity to enhance the visibility and impact of digital citizenship education and reaffirm its value. This designated year will provide a strategic platform for key stakeholders from the public, private and civil sectors to work together, set common goals and share sense-making practices. It will also provide a concise yet impactful space for measuring achievements and collectively defining a road map for the future of digital citizenship education. Through streamlined efforts, this initiative is expected to propel digital citizenship education forward, ensuring its resilience and effectiveness in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The Council of Europe will deploy an ambitious plan to bring this initiative to life, in particular by organising international events, implementing innovative social media campaigns and working closely with various stakeholders including Ministries of Education, educators, learners, academics, the private and civil sector organisations and youth organisations.

This pan-European initiative is open to everyone, with the aim of raising awareness and taking collective action to promote informed and responsible digital citizenship.

Digital technologies are now omnipresent in our daily lives. They allow us to broaden our perspectives, deepen our understanding of the world and create innovative solutions that can have a positive impact on our society. Thanks to these digital tools, we have the ability to connect, learn and collaborate in ways that were previously unimaginable.

In particular, they give us the power to create meaningful connections, to participate actively in community life and to express our ideas with confidence and creatively. These digital tools are transforming the way we interact, engage and contribute to society, making our voice more audible and our impact more immediate.

Digital citizenship is an essential key to flourishing in the digital age. It enables individuals to develop an in-depth and critical understanding of technologies, cultivating the skills needed to navigate effectively in this complex environment. By combining ethical values, technical knowledge and a reflective attitude, citizens can not only use these digital tools, but also make the most of them for their personal development and active participation in society. Digital Citizenship Education is the key to mastering our relationship with digital technologies. The Council of Europe has developed an innovative model based on three complementary dimensions:

1. Being online: Understanding and mastering the mechanisms of communication and interaction in the digital space.
2. Well-being online: Protecting mental and physical health, managing balance and personal safety in digital environments.
3. Rights online: Know and assert your rights, respect those of others, and act ethically and responsibly.

The Council of Europe’s concept of digital citizenship education provides a holistic and comprehensive framework to tackle risks and challenges posed by the widespread use of digital technologies including phenomena such as cyberbullying, hate speech and discrimination. This concept aims to equip citizens, particularly young people, with the essential competences (values, attitudes, skills, and knowledge) to navigate the digital world critically, safely and constructively. The aim is to transform passive users into enlightened and responsible digital citizens.

Education for digital citizenship is an essential lever for building a more humane and equitable digital society. By training informed and responsible citizens, it helps to create a digital space where respect, diversity and democratic values are at the heart of interactions. This approach aims to empower each individual, giving them the means to contribute actively to the digital transformation while preserving the fundamental principles of justice, dialogue and inclusion.