why digital skills matter well before answering this question let me ask you
answering this question let me ask you
answering this question let me ask you another one how many of you present here
another one how many of you present here
another one how many of you present here today have at least one connected device
today have at least one connected device
today have at least one connected device to the Internet you can raise your hands
to the Internet you can raise your hands
to the Internet you can raise your hands if you do it can be a phone and
if you do it can be a phone and
if you do it can be a phone and SmartWatch or a laptop
SmartWatch or a laptop
SmartWatch or a laptop how many of you have two devices
how many of you have two devices
how many of you have two devices connected to the Internet with you Wow
connected to the Internet with you Wow
connected to the Internet with you Wow okay does anybody have free I actually
okay does anybody have free I actually
okay does anybody have free I actually had a price for that person but well
had a price for that person but well
had a price for that person but well actually the point I was trying to make
actually the point I was trying to make
actually the point I was trying to make here it was not just just an easy way to
here it was not just just an easy way to
here it was not just just an easy way to interact I tried to make a point which
interact I tried to make a point which
interact I tried to make a point which is that we’re all global citizens which
is that we’re all global citizens which
is that we’re all global citizens which means that by being connected to the
means that by being connected to the
means that by being connected to the Internet we all have the chance the
Internet we all have the chance the
Internet we all have the chance the great opportunity to have the world’s
great opportunity to have the world’s
great opportunity to have the world’s information at your fingertips and the
information at your fingertips and the
information at your fingertips and the only thing we need to actually access
only thing we need to actually access
only thing we need to actually access the internet with the that’s its full
the internet with the that’s its full
the internet with the that’s its full capacity is digital skills which we’re
capacity is digital skills which we’re
capacity is digital skills which we’re going to talk about today today there
going to talk about today today there
going to talk about today today there are more than all actually over
are more than all actually over
are more than all actually over approximately three billion people
approximately three billion people
approximately three billion people online and the number is growing on a
online and the number is growing on a
online and the number is growing on a yearly basis this guy is from Kenya he’s
yearly basis this guy is from Kenya he’s
yearly basis this guy is from Kenya he’s a farm owner and because of the internet
a farm owner and because of the internet
a farm owner and because of the internet he has the same access to information
he has the same access to information
he has the same access to information and as maybe a business manager in Turku
and as maybe a business manager in Turku
and as maybe a business manager in Turku Malaysia in Bucharest or in another city
Malaysia in Bucharest or in another city
Malaysia in Bucharest or in another city in Romania however him and other people
in Romania however him and other people
in Romania however him and other people are the exception because more than half
are the exception because more than half
are the exception because more than half of the world’s population is not yet
of the world’s population is not yet
of the world’s population is not yet connected to the Internet and the
connected to the Internet and the
connected to the Internet and the situation is actually quite dire because
situation is actually quite dire because
situation is actually quite dire because even though many companies and NGOs are
even though many companies and NGOs are
even though many companies and NGOs are trying to fight this to to get more
trying to fight this to to get more
trying to fight this to to get more people online the Internet is actually a
people online the Internet is actually a
people online the Internet is actually a luxury for many of us and sometimes we
luxury for many of us and sometimes we
luxury for many of us and sometimes we even forget that we are privileged to
even forget that we are privileged to
even forget that we are privileged to have access to it I was one of the lucky
have access to it I was one of the lucky
have access to it I was one of the lucky ones because that’s me in the picture
ones because that’s me in the picture
ones because that’s me in the picture about I was a think about five or six
about I was a think about five or six
about I was a think about five or six years old and I was lucky because I had
years old and I was lucky because I had
years old and I was lucky because I had the personal computer of 20 years ago
the personal computer of 20 years ago
the personal computer of 20 years ago basically but not when not many people
basically but not when not many people
basically but not when not many people in Romania had access to to such
in Romania had access to to such
in Romania had access to to such technology I said I was lucky but I soon
technology I said I was lucky but I soon
technology I said I was lucky but I soon discovered it was not actually that
discovered it was not actually that
discovered it was not actually that lucky because funny enough I found it
lucky because funny enough I found it
lucky because funny enough I found it quite difficult to share the computer
quite difficult to share the computer
quite difficult to share the computer with anybody else and actually there I
with anybody else and actually there I
with anybody else and actually there I had somebody in the family who who
had somebody in the family who who
had somebody in the family who who share the passion with me a strong
share the passion with me a strong
share the passion with me a strong passion for video games that someone is
passion for video games that someone is
passion for video games that someone is actually present here in this room today
actually present here in this room today
actually present here in this room today he’s my father who was an avid gamer at
he’s my father who was an avid gamer at
he’s my father who was an avid gamer at the time and it was quite difficult for
the time and it was quite difficult for
the time and it was quite difficult for us to negotiate our time at the computer
us to negotiate our time at the computer
us to negotiate our time at the computer but yeah we learned to cohabitate it
but yeah we learned to cohabitate it
but yeah we learned to cohabitate it together let’s say and I also I’m really
together let’s say and I also I’m really
together let’s say and I also I’m really thankful for him because besides
thankful for him because besides
thankful for him because besides providing competition in many games we
providing competition in many games we
providing competition in many games we played together he was also the person
played together he was also the person
played together he was also the person who introduced me to the digital world
who introduced me to the digital world
who introduced me to the digital world basically
basically
basically and also and I’m not joking he was
and also and I’m not joking he was
and also and I’m not joking he was always always the person who was buying
always always the person who was buying
always always the person who was buying the latest technology so I never
the latest technology so I never
the latest technology so I never actually had to think about changing my
actually had to think about changing my
actually had to think about changing my video board or any software in my
video board or any software in my
video board or any software in my computer I actually always had the
computer I actually always had the
computer I actually always had the latest technology for the video games I
latest technology for the video games I
latest technology for the video games I was playing thanks to him so thanks that
was playing thanks to him so thanks that
was playing thanks to him so thanks that funny funny enough though I when I
funny funny enough though I when I
funny funny enough though I when I started high school I I slowly but
started high school I I slowly but
started high school I I slowly but surely started to move away from this
surely started to move away from this
surely started to move away from this passion of mine of playing video games
passion of mine of playing video games
passion of mine of playing video games to something a bit bigger I thought I
to something a bit bigger I thought I
to something a bit bigger I thought I started to become addicted almost to the
started to become addicted almost to the
started to become addicted almost to the Internet at first it was nothing big
Internet at first it was nothing big
Internet at first it was nothing big nothing major I was addicted to Yahoo
nothing major I was addicted to Yahoo
nothing major I was addicted to Yahoo Messenger hi-5 all the other social
Messenger hi-5 all the other social
Messenger hi-5 all the other social networks that were present back then in
networks that were present back then in
networks that were present back then in 2006 when I started high school but in
2006 when I started high school but in
2006 when I started high school but in years as I grew older as I started
years as I grew older as I started
years as I grew older as I started University I started to appreciate
University I started to appreciate
University I started to appreciate browsing the web as something much more
browsing the web as something much more
browsing the web as something much more rewarding than simple leisurely activity
rewarding than simple leisurely activity
rewarding than simple leisurely activity I started to appreciate the Internet as
I started to appreciate the Internet as
I started to appreciate the Internet as something that could offer me
something that could offer me
something that could offer me opportunities in life and I have to say
opportunities in life and I have to say
opportunities in life and I have to say now years after that thanks to the
now years after that thanks to the
now years after that thanks to the Internet in part I had the big
Internet in part I had the big
Internet in part I had the big opportunity to to work or travel in ten
opportunity to to work or travel in ten
opportunity to to work or travel in ten different countries in the world and
different countries in the world and
different countries in the world and also studying five of them so I
also studying five of them so I
also studying five of them so I basically the internet opened the world
basically the internet opened the world
basically the internet opened the world to me and I grasped it with both hands
to me and I grasped it with both hands
to me and I grasped it with both hands and I took fully advantage of it but
and I took fully advantage of it but
and I took fully advantage of it but again because I’m trying to send a
again because I’m trying to send a
again because I’m trying to send a message here I have to remind you that I
message here I have to remind you that I
message here I have to remind you that I and I had to remind myself that even
and I had to remind myself that even
and I had to remind myself that even though I felt so fortunate I held all
though I felt so fortunate I held all
though I felt so fortunate I held all these opportunities even finding my job
these opportunities even finding my job
these opportunities even finding my job at Google was due to internet because
at Google was due to internet because
at Google was due to internet because funny enough I found the job because of
funny enough I found the job because of
funny enough I found the job because of a post on social media so the internet
a post on social media so the internet
a post on social media so the internet had a direct connection for me being
had a direct connection for me being
had a direct connection for me being here as a Google growth engine manager
here as a Google growth engine manager
here as a Google growth engine manager despite all of this I always kept in the
despite all of this I always kept in the
despite all of this I always kept in the back of my mind the fact that I was
back of my mind the fact that I was
back of my mind the fact that I was privileged that again more than half of
privileged that again more than half of
privileged that again more than half of the world’s population was not in my
the world’s population was not in my
the world’s population was not in my situation that people
situation that people
situation that people didn’t have access to the internet or
didn’t have access to the internet or
didn’t have access to the internet or even more sad I would say they had
even more sad I would say they had
even more sad I would say they had access but didn’t know how to use it
access but didn’t know how to use it
access but didn’t know how to use it they didn’t have the digital skills
they didn’t have the digital skills
they didn’t have the digital skills needed to use the internet before before
needed to use the internet before before
needed to use the internet before before we go to talk about about Europe or
we go to talk about about Europe or
we go to talk about about Europe or about Romania because I’m going to
about Romania because I’m going to
about Romania because I’m going to discuss a bit about the situation in
discuss a bit about the situation in
discuss a bit about the situation in both above continent and country I want
both above continent and country I want
both above continent and country I want to share with you a bit of information
to share with you a bit of information
to share with you a bit of information about digital literacy because this is a
about digital literacy because this is a
about digital literacy because this is a topic I will talk about throughout the
topic I will talk about throughout the
topic I will talk about throughout the rest of my presentation basically with
rest of my presentation basically with
rest of my presentation basically with digital literacy this is a collective
digital literacy this is a collective
digital literacy this is a collective term used for the set of skills we need
term used for the set of skills we need
term used for the set of skills we need to to basically survive in this digital
to to basically survive in this digital
to to basically survive in this digital age we live in I will not go into all of
age we live in I will not go into all of
age we live in I will not go into all of them I will just describe free I think
them I will just describe free I think
them I will just describe free I think we’re most relevant first of all is the
we’re most relevant first of all is the
we’re most relevant first of all is the communication and collaboration part
communication and collaboration part
communication and collaboration part either we do it informally through
either we do it informally through
either we do it informally through social media or we do it formally
social media or we do it formally
social media or we do it formally through through I don’t know tools like
through through I don’t know tools like
through through I don’t know tools like Google Drive or or asan our Trello to
Google Drive or or asan our Trello to
Google Drive or or asan our Trello to manage our projects for us the internet
manage our projects for us the internet
manage our projects for us the internet offers the ability to communicate in
offers the ability to communicate in
offers the ability to communicate in collaborate that’s first
collaborate that’s first
collaborate that’s first second which is even more important is
second which is even more important is
second which is even more important is the the ability that the internet gives
the the ability that the internet gives
the the ability that the internet gives us the pitch to literacy skill gives us
us the pitch to literacy skill gives us
us the pitch to literacy skill gives us to find the information but even more
to find the information but even more
to find the information but even more importantly critically evaluated and I
importantly critically evaluated and I
importantly critically evaluated and I say it’s even more important because
say it’s even more important because
say it’s even more important because nowadays we live in the world which is
nowadays we live in the world which is
nowadays we live in the world which is full of fake news it’s trendy topic
full of fake news it’s trendy topic
full of fake news it’s trendy topic nowadays and we really we just have to
nowadays and we really we just have to
nowadays and we really we just have to learn not just to find the information
learn not just to find the information
learn not just to find the information but also critically evaluate did not
but also critically evaluate did not
but also critically evaluate did not take it for granted last point I’m going
take it for granted last point I’m going
take it for granted last point I’m going to mention about all these eight
to mention about all these eight
to mention about all these eight dimensions is about security even though
dimensions is about security even though
dimensions is about security even though now probably not many of you are
now probably not many of you are
now probably not many of you are thinking about this but managing and
thinking about this but managing and
thinking about this but managing and protecting your online identity is
protecting your online identity is
protecting your online identity is becoming more and more of a problem for
becoming more and more of a problem for
becoming more and more of a problem for people and in the future having complete
people and in the future having complete
people and in the future having complete privacy will be really impossible so now
privacy will be really impossible so now
privacy will be really impossible so now you have to always remember to protect
you have to always remember to protect
you have to always remember to protect your either your passwords or the
your either your passwords or the
your either your passwords or the computers you’re using or the internet
computers you’re using or the internet
computers you’re using or the internet connections you’re using in Europe the
connections you’re using in Europe the
connections you’re using in Europe the situation is is mixed let’s say because
situation is is mixed let’s say because
situation is is mixed let’s say because there are countries like Sweden like
there are countries like Sweden like
there are countries like Sweden like Finland or like Denmark who they have
Finland or like Denmark who they have
Finland or like Denmark who they have really good digital skills the people
really good digital skills the people
really good digital skills the people who live there however on the other side
who live there however on the other side
who live there however on the other side there’s countries like Romania like
there’s countries like Romania like
there’s countries like Romania like Bulgaria who have a lot to do to catch
Bulgaria who have a lot to do to catch
Bulgaria who have a lot to do to catch up with these countries as well as with
up with these countries as well as with
up with these countries as well as with other countries globally currently I
other countries globally currently I
other countries globally currently I think the top performers in in terms of
think the top performers in in terms of
think the top performers in in terms of digital skills
digital skills
digital skills the US Japan and South Korea so we have
the US Japan and South Korea so we have
the US Japan and South Korea so we have a lot of catch-up to do before we we get
a lot of catch-up to do before we we get
a lot of catch-up to do before we we get close to them according to the latest
close to them according to the latest
close to them according to the latest research coming from the European
research coming from the European
research coming from the European Commission because I had to study a lot
Commission because I had to study a lot
Commission because I had to study a lot of documents to come up with this talk
of documents to come up with this talk
of documents to come up with this talk to really summarize all the key
to really summarize all the key
to really summarize all the key statistics one of the first ones which
statistics one of the first ones which
statistics one of the first ones which is probably the most shocking one is
is probably the most shocking one is
is probably the most shocking one is that only half of the of the Europeans
that only half of the of the Europeans
that only half of the of the Europeans in the EU have the basic digital skills
in the EU have the basic digital skills
in the EU have the basic digital skills I referred to earlier you know they know
I referred to earlier you know they know
I referred to earlier you know they know how to use social media post use tools
how to use social media post use tools
how to use social media post use tools as Microsoft Word or powerpoints these
as Microsoft Word or powerpoints these
as Microsoft Word or powerpoints these these tools are not known by almost half
these tools are not known by almost half
these tools are not known by almost half of the people in Europe to a degree
of the people in Europe to a degree
of the people in Europe to a degree which is acceptability which is close to
which is acceptability which is close to
which is acceptability which is close to the standard furthermore the day there
the standard furthermore the day there
the standard furthermore the day there are more than half a million jobs which
are more than half a million jobs which
are more than half a million jobs which are unfilled their vacancies their
are unfilled their vacancies their
are unfilled their vacancies their positions that you or I can work if we
positions that you or I can work if we
positions that you or I can work if we would have the necessary skills we need
would have the necessary skills we need
would have the necessary skills we need and this is a paradox because if we
and this is a paradox because if we
and this is a paradox because if we think about it we live in a time when
think about it we live in a time when
think about it we live in a time when unemployment and employment rates are at
unemployment and employment rates are at
unemployment and employment rates are at their highest we see the situation in
their highest we see the situation in
their highest we see the situation in Greece in Spain in Italy where people
Greece in Spain in Italy where people
Greece in Spain in Italy where people don’t have jobs by the same time
don’t have jobs by the same time
don’t have jobs by the same time companies have vacancies so you see the
companies have vacancies so you see the
companies have vacancies so you see the paradox there is a mismatch between the
paradox there is a mismatch between the
paradox there is a mismatch between the supply of skills people have and the
supply of skills people have and the
supply of skills people have and the demands of companies this is basically
demands of companies this is basically
demands of companies this is basically causing many of the organizations around
causing many of the organizations around
causing many of the organizations around the world to find it really difficult to
the world to find it really difficult to
the world to find it really difficult to find appropriately skilled people for
find appropriately skilled people for
find appropriately skilled people for the digital needs they have and lastly
the digital needs they have and lastly
the digital needs they have and lastly about about Europe is that in the near
about about Europe is that in the near
about about Europe is that in the near future we’re pretty much screwed I would
future we’re pretty much screwed I would
future we’re pretty much screwed I would say because 90% of the jobs will require
say because 90% of the jobs will require
say because 90% of the jobs will require at least basic levels of digital skills
at least basic levels of digital skills
at least basic levels of digital skills so sooner or later you’ll have to learn
so sooner or later you’ll have to learn
so sooner or later you’ll have to learn sooner or later you have to adapt
sooner or later you have to adapt
sooner or later you have to adapt because if not European countries will
because if not European countries will
because if not European countries will not be able to keep up with the other
not be able to keep up with the other
not be able to keep up with the other powers of the world and the only
powers of the world and the only
powers of the world and the only solution or at least the solution I
solution or at least the solution I
solution or at least the solution I believe in at the moment is that Europe
believe in at the moment is that Europe
believe in at the moment is that Europe in order to function in the digital age
in order to function in the digital age
in order to function in the digital age we live in has to equip all its citizens
we live in has to equip all its citizens
we live in has to equip all its citizens with at least basic digital skills as a
with at least basic digital skills as a
with at least basic digital skills as a response to this crisis we at Google
response to this crisis we at Google
response to this crisis we at Google came up with an initiative which call it
came up with an initiative which call it
came up with an initiative which call it which is called the growth engine
which is called the growth engine
which is called the growth engine program this happened two years ago and
program this happened two years ago and
program this happened two years ago and the main aim was to train people in
the main aim was to train people in
the main aim was to train people in digital skills as simple as that might
digital skills as simple as that might
digital skills as simple as that might sound initially our target was
sound initially our target was
sound initially our target was entrepreneurs because we thought that by
entrepreneurs because we thought that by
entrepreneurs because we thought that by helping entrepreneurs
helping entrepreneurs
helping entrepreneurs bitch ties their companies it’ll be the
bitch ties their companies it’ll be the
bitch ties their companies it’ll be the easiest way to help our economies grow
easiest way to help our economies grow
easiest way to help our economies grow because as some of you might know SMBs
because as some of you might know SMBs
because as some of you might know SMBs small and medium-sized businesses or the
small and medium-sized businesses or the
small and medium-sized businesses or the growth engine of every country this term
growth engine of every country this term
growth engine of every country this term is translated in Romanian so for all of
is translated in Romanian so for all of
is translated in Romanian so for all of you to know mmm
you to know mmm
you to know mmm this is how the economy grows actually
this is how the economy grows actually
this is how the economy grows actually in Romania 98% of the companies are SMBs
in Romania 98% of the companies are SMBs
in Romania 98% of the companies are SMBs so if you help these companies grow the
so if you help these companies grow the
so if you help these companies grow the small companies you would help the whole
small companies you would help the whole
small companies you would help the whole economy grow eventually however we we
economy grow eventually however we we
economy grow eventually however we we also realized that it’s not enough to
also realized that it’s not enough to
also realized that it’s not enough to train up-and-coming it’s not enough to
train up-and-coming it’s not enough to
train up-and-coming it’s not enough to train established entrepreneurs but you
train established entrepreneurs but you
train established entrepreneurs but you have to look look after the
have to look look after the
have to look look after the up-and-coming ones the the young
up-and-coming ones the the young
up-and-coming ones the the young generation us many people here in the
generation us many people here in the
generation us many people here in the room today so I’m really proud to say
room today so I’m really proud to say
room today so I’m really proud to say that after starting the program two
that after starting the program two
that after starting the program two years ago today we have included
years ago today we have included
years ago today we have included students in our target group so we’re
students in our target group so we’re
students in our target group so we’re also offering these free trainings for
also offering these free trainings for
also offering these free trainings for students since we began this program we
students since we began this program we
students since we began this program we we actually trained approximately 2
we actually trained approximately 2
we actually trained approximately 2 million Europeans in digital skills we
million Europeans in digital skills we
million Europeans in digital skills we are now present in every every country
are now present in every every country
are now present in every every country that you and also we recently extended
that you and also we recently extended
that you and also we recently extended to Asia and Africa so our efforts
to Asia and Africa so our efforts
to Asia and Africa so our efforts continue up to this day and I’m also
continue up to this day and I’m also
continue up to this day and I’m also quite happy because this is my daily job
quite happy because this is my daily job
quite happy because this is my daily job that Google announced earlier this year
that Google announced earlier this year
that Google announced earlier this year that we continue to pledge or where our
that we continue to pledge or where our
that we continue to pledge or where our efforts or finances and everything to
efforts or finances and everything to
efforts or finances and everything to help anybody regardless of their race
help anybody regardless of their race
help anybody regardless of their race background or interest to acquire new
background or interest to acquire new
background or interest to acquire new digital skills that would allow her or
digital skills that would allow her or
digital skills that would allow her or him be as successful as possible in the
him be as successful as possible in the
him be as successful as possible in the digital age before we look into the
digital age before we look into the
digital age before we look into the situation in Romania because that’s
situation in Romania because that’s
situation in Romania because that’s that’s why basically that’s the reason
that’s why basically that’s the reason
that’s why basically that’s the reason why I came here to tell you a bit about
why I came here to tell you a bit about
why I came here to tell you a bit about more about Romania not about Europe and
more about Romania not about Europe and
more about Romania not about Europe and the world because we still live in our
the world because we still live in our
the world because we still live in our country so we have to respect that first
country so we have to respect that first
country so we have to respect that first we have to learn what deci means deci is
we have to learn what deci means deci is
we have to learn what deci means deci is an acronym which stands for digital
an acronym which stands for digital
an acronym which stands for digital economy and society index this was a
economy and society index this was a
economy and society index this was a term a tool devised by the European
term a tool devised by the European
term a tool devised by the European Commission to help basically its experts
Commission to help basically its experts
Commission to help basically its experts measure the technical and technological
measure the technical and technological
measure the technical and technological development of its member states so they
development of its member states so they
development of its member states so they came up with these five dimensions now
came up with these five dimensions now
came up with these five dimensions now I’m going to briefly talk about all of
I’m going to briefly talk about all of
I’m going to briefly talk about all of them because they’re important for you
them because they’re important for you
them because they’re important for you to understand what’s the situation in
to understand what’s the situation in
to understand what’s the situation in Romania and to understand each of them
Romania and to understand each of them
Romania and to understand each of them connectivity is the first and you as you
connectivity is the first and you as you
connectivity is the first and you as you might probably guess it refers
might probably guess it refers
might probably guess it refers – the access speed and quality of the
– the access speed and quality of the
– the access speed and quality of the Internet second one is human capital
Internet second one is human capital
Internet second one is human capital which refers to the digital skills of
which refers to the digital skills of
which refers to the digital skills of society third is the use of Internet
society third is the use of Internet
society third is the use of Internet which reflects the the online activities
which reflects the the online activities
which reflects the the online activities we do online be it online shopping or
we do online be it online shopping or
we do online be it online shopping or online banking fourth integration of
online banking fourth integration of
online banking fourth integration of digital technology which is a bit more
digital technology which is a bit more
digital technology which is a bit more tricky it actually refers to the
tricky it actually refers to the
tricky it actually refers to the digitalization level of companies how
digitalization level of companies how
digitalization level of companies how many companies use services like I don’t
many companies use services like I don’t
many companies use services like I don’t know ecommerce or invoices how many
know ecommerce or invoices how many
know ecommerce or invoices how many companies are digitized and last but not
companies are digitized and last but not
companies are digitized and last but not least the the I would say one of the
least the the I would say one of the
least the the I would say one of the most important they mentioned is the
most important they mentioned is the
most important they mentioned is the digital public services one which refers
digital public services one which refers
digital public services one which refers to the level of digitization of our
to the level of digitization of our
to the level of digitization of our governments which as you probably might
governments which as you probably might
governments which as you probably might guess we’re not really doing quite well
guess we’re not really doing quite well
guess we’re not really doing quite well in this field actually according to this
in this field actually according to this
in this field actually according to this index the European Commission updates
index the European Commission updates
index the European Commission updates every year so the last update came in
every year so the last update came in
every year so the last update came in 2016 Romania isn’t the last place in the
2016 Romania isn’t the last place in the
2016 Romania isn’t the last place in the European Union regarding digital skills
European Union regarding digital skills
European Union regarding digital skills and this was the cue this was actually
and this was the cue this was actually
and this was the cue this was actually the my starting point when I was
the my starting point when I was
the my starting point when I was preparing this talk what the reason why
preparing this talk what the reason why
preparing this talk what the reason why I thought it’s really important to raise
I thought it’s really important to raise
I thought it’s really important to raise awareness about this issue and we’re
awareness about this issue and we’re
awareness about this issue and we’re actually going to look a bit about why
actually going to look a bit about why
actually going to look a bit about why we’re so we’re so I don’t know
we’re so we’re so I don’t know
we’re so we’re so I don’t know precarious situation the only two
precarious situation the only two
precarious situation the only two dimensions in which we’re actually good
dimensions in which we’re actually good
dimensions in which we’re actually good because there is a positive in there or
because there is a positive in there or
because there is a positive in there or are two dimensions which you’re probably
are two dimensions which you’re probably
are two dimensions which you’re probably familiar with because the TV is always
familiar with because the TV is always
familiar with because the TV is always spamming us with this news first of all
spamming us with this news first of all
spamming us with this news first of all is the high speed of the internet we a
is the high speed of the internet we a
is the high speed of the internet we a Romanians occupy the second place in
Romanians occupy the second place in
Romanians occupy the second place in Europe in terms of speed of internet
Europe in terms of speed of internet
Europe in terms of speed of internet which I think only Belgium is battery
which I think only Belgium is battery
which I think only Belgium is battery disregards another positive exception is
disregards another positive exception is
disregards another positive exception is social media and with social media
social media and with social media
social media and with social media thanks to us the avid Facebook users
thanks to us the avid Facebook users
thanks to us the avid Facebook users over here Romania is in the third place
over here Romania is in the third place
over here Romania is in the third place in the EU after Hungary surprising maybe
in the EU after Hungary surprising maybe
in the EU after Hungary surprising maybe and Belgium again so we have we have two
and Belgium again so we have we have two
and Belgium again so we have we have two categories in which we’re doing well
categories in which we’re doing well
categories in which we’re doing well however all the other dimensions cuz
however all the other dimensions cuz
however all the other dimensions cuz there’s five of them and sub dimensions
there’s five of them and sub dimensions
there’s five of them and sub dimensions we are either last or 27 out of 28 this
we are either last or 27 out of 28 this
we are either last or 27 out of 28 this is valid for digital skills of people
is valid for digital skills of people
is valid for digital skills of people this is valid for the amount of online
this is valid for the amount of online
this is valid for the amount of online activities we do as a country and again
activities we do as a country and again
activities we do as a country and again very importantly for the digital public
very importantly for the digital public
very importantly for the digital public services we have I would say that the
services we have I would say that the
services we have I would say that the technocrat government did the decent job
technocrat government did the decent job
technocrat government did the decent job in improving this because last year we
in improving this because last year we
in improving this because last year we we had the we had the government which
we had the we had the government which
we had the we had the government which encouraged
encouraged
encouraged open data which put together strategies
open data which put together strategies
open data which put together strategies and initiatives like Gove IT hub which
and initiatives like Gove IT hub which
and initiatives like Gove IT hub which were aimed at getting the people closer
were aimed at getting the people closer
were aimed at getting the people closer to the government and making the
to the government and making the
to the government and making the government more transparent in a way as
government more transparent in a way as
government more transparent in a way as you all know probably I don’t want to
you all know probably I don’t want to
you all know probably I don’t want to get into the details nowadays it’s
get into the details nowadays it’s
get into the details nowadays it’s probably in reversing a bit the trend
probably in reversing a bit the trend
probably in reversing a bit the trend but I still hope that we’re gonna
but I still hope that we’re gonna
but I still hope that we’re gonna continue working on digital public
continue working on digital public
continue working on digital public services last statistics about Romania I
services last statistics about Romania I
services last statistics about Romania I don’t want to get too much into them but
don’t want to get too much into them but
don’t want to get too much into them but this is the shocking part actually
this is the shocking part actually
this is the shocking part actually because only 26% of Romanians have basic
because only 26% of Romanians have basic
because only 26% of Romanians have basic digital skills so if you remember when I
digital skills so if you remember when I
digital skills so if you remember when I was talking about digital literacy those
was talking about digital literacy those
was talking about digital literacy those skills so only 26% of our country has
skills so only 26% of our country has
skills so only 26% of our country has those skills compared to approximately
those skills compared to approximately
those skills compared to approximately 53% the EU average so double another
53% the EU average so double another
53% the EU average so double another even more shocking statistics I found
even more shocking statistics I found
even more shocking statistics I found again on the European Commission website
again on the European Commission website
again on the European Commission website is that 32% of Romanians never used the
is that 32% of Romanians never used the
is that 32% of Romanians never used the Internet so this is a paradox actually
Internet so this is a paradox actually
Internet so this is a paradox actually because I was referring to the high
because I was referring to the high
because I was referring to the high speed of internet we have in Romania but
speed of internet we have in Romania but
speed of internet we have in Romania but sadly we live in our bubble here in this
sadly we live in our bubble here in this
sadly we live in our bubble here in this room and probably with our friends
room and probably with our friends
room and probably with our friends because we have this high-speed internet
because we have this high-speed internet
because we have this high-speed internet but 32% of Romanians actually never used
but 32% of Romanians actually never used
but 32% of Romanians actually never used it so this is again bubble the EU right
it so this is again bubble the EU right
it so this is again bubble the EU right because the EU average is 16% of people
because the EU average is 16% of people
because the EU average is 16% of people who never use the Internet lastly I
who never use the Internet lastly I
who never use the Internet lastly I think really important to mention is
think really important to mention is
think really important to mention is that 46% of Romanians the ringing
that 46% of Romanians the ringing
that 46% of Romanians the ringing workforce possesses only basic or above
workforce possesses only basic or above
workforce possesses only basic or above basic digital skills which means that
basic digital skills which means that
basic digital skills which means that the workforce we have people who are
the workforce we have people who are
the workforce we have people who are basically qualified to to work in every
basically qualified to to work in every
basically qualified to to work in every job every sector or or just making the
job every sector or or just making the
job every sector or or just making the ends meet in terms of digital skills and
ends meet in terms of digital skills and
ends meet in terms of digital skills and by the way by above basic digital skills
by the way by above basic digital skills
by the way by above basic digital skills I mean the skills which are requiring
I mean the skills which are requiring
I mean the skills which are requiring complex software managing let’s say CRM
complex software managing let’s say CRM
complex software managing let’s say CRM Photoshop even coding can go into this
Photoshop even coding can go into this
Photoshop even coding can go into this category so again it seems that were
category so again it seems that were
category so again it seems that were okay but in Europe the average is 72% of
okay but in Europe the average is 72% of
okay but in Europe the average is 72% of people in the workforce who have these
people in the workforce who have these
people in the workforce who have these skills so again we’re halfway there last
skills so again we’re halfway there last
skills so again we’re halfway there last but not least what we what we were doing
but not least what we what we were doing
but not least what we what we were doing at at Google in Romania is a pillar of
at at Google in Romania is a pillar of
at at Google in Romania is a pillar of digital as Johan was mentioning
digital as Johan was mentioning
digital as Johan was mentioning initially we started this initiative
initially we started this initiative
initially we started this initiative last year and this is basically our
last year and this is basically our
last year and this is basically our version of growth engine in Romania it’s
version of growth engine in Romania it’s
version of growth engine in Romania it’s an online platform some of you hopefully
an online platform some of you hopefully
an online platform some of you hopefully in through which we try to help young
in through which we try to help young
in through which we try to help young people especially
people especially
people especially develop digital skills digital marketing
develop digital skills digital marketing
develop digital skills digital marketing skills I think we have around 89 courses
skills I think we have around 89 courses
skills I think we have around 89 courses they’re all free available to everybody
they’re all free available to everybody
they’re all free available to everybody and they teach you everything from how
and they teach you everything from how
and they teach you everything from how to build an online presence to how to
to build an online presence to how to
to build an online presence to how to use social media they even give you a
use social media they even give you a
use social media they even give you a certificate at the end of it if you if
certificate at the end of it if you if
certificate at the end of it if you if you complete all the courses so it’s
you complete all the courses so it’s
you complete all the courses so it’s it’s a pretty good tool since we started
it’s a pretty good tool since we started
it’s a pretty good tool since we started the online platform we also started
the online platform we also started
the online platform we also started visiting cities in Romania to to talk
visiting cities in Romania to to talk
visiting cities in Romania to to talk with people like yourself we’ve been to
with people like yourself we’ve been to
with people like yourself we’ve been to telugu monisha – to petra mayer a couple
telugu monisha – to petra mayer a couple
telugu monisha – to petra mayer a couple of times to teach young people digital
of times to teach young people digital
of times to teach young people digital marketing I think in total we have
marketing I think in total we have
marketing I think in total we have approximately more than eleven thousand
approximately more than eleven thousand
approximately more than eleven thousand young people touched through the offline
young people touched through the offline
young people touched through the offline trainings and approximately 34,000
trainings and approximately 34,000
trainings and approximately 34,000 people in the online platform so if you
people in the online platform so if you
people in the online platform so if you add the numbers it’s approximately fifty
add the numbers it’s approximately fifty
add the numbers it’s approximately fifty thousand young people who’ve been
thousand young people who’ve been
thousand young people who’ve been through the trainings since May since
through the trainings since May since
through the trainings since May since last year since we started and this
last year since we started and this
last year since we started and this number might not mean much to us now but
number might not mean much to us now but
number might not mean much to us now but if you think about it that’s a fifth of
if you think about it that’s a fifth of
if you think about it that’s a fifth of the student population in Romania so for
the student population in Romania so for
the student population in Romania so for us it was huge in December when we
us it was huge in December when we
us it was huge in December when we reached this number I want to conclude
reached this number I want to conclude
reached this number I want to conclude because I’m already running out of time
because I’m already running out of time
because I’m already running out of time that at little digital is not the only
that at little digital is not the only
that at little digital is not the only tool out there there’s many other
tool out there there’s many other
tool out there there’s many other there’s actually other companies who are
there’s actually other companies who are
there’s actually other companies who are doing similar things in Romania helping
doing similar things in Romania helping
doing similar things in Romania helping people acquire digital skills however I
people acquire digital skills however I
people acquire digital skills however I strongly believe and I’m a bit biased I
strongly believe and I’m a bit biased I
strongly believe and I’m a bit biased I have to admit that this is the most
have to admit that this is the most
have to admit that this is the most ambitious one and besides being the most
ambitious one and besides being the most
ambitious one and besides being the most ambitious one it gives a really great
ambitious one it gives a really great
ambitious one it gives a really great pleasure every day to raise awareness
pleasure every day to raise awareness
pleasure every day to raise awareness about this really simple yet I would say
about this really simple yet I would say
about this really simple yet I would say really important fact that as I said
really important fact that as I said
really important fact that as I said initially digital skills matter thank
initially digital skills matter thank
initially digital skills matter thank you very much
”
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