Get Online Week 2017 Report gowreport_13july_online_1 | Page 4

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GOW 2017 Report
OVERALL AIM OF THE CAMPAIGN
Engage and empower people to use technology and the Internet with
confidence and skills that allow them to benefit from online opportunities.
People and skills, not the technology, are the critical focus point to reap the benefits of a truly
digital society. Our ever-changing digital world often produces anxiety, uncertainty and insecurity
regarding the future. Rather than resisting digital transformation, people and organizations must
be prepared for a digital skillset that will be constantly evolving. This constant skills evolution
is hard to accept, explain, teach and support, but is vital to adopt to ensure that citizens are not
excluded from our digital society.
In 2017, the campaign activities, trainings, and events focused on the
following themes:
  Cybersecurity: use technology and the internet safely, manage your (digital) identity
  eServices: learn to keep up with eServices (eGovernment, eBanking, eHealth, eCommerce)
  Employment and entrepreneurship: learn new skills for jobs and for starting businesses
Since its first edition in 2010, GOW has always been a truly multi-stakeholder campaign bringing
together formal and informal training providers, local and national authorities, other public
institutions, IT and other industries in a joint effort to show the benefits of digital skills and
support the digital inclusion. The campaign has transformed over the years, the topics have
changed, but the essence has stayed the same –  digital skills underpin every area of our modern
internet-connected life and the impact of gaining digital skills, confidence, and security is huge.
In 2017 the campaign highlighted the benefits of digital transformation, but
also the importance of partnership in helping people and organisations to
develop skills and a mindset to adapt to and take advantage of the constant
changes.
Key competences