PLATFORMA at Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 | Ensuring that smart cities are not only technologically advanced

“Click, Connect, Change,” this is the title of PLATFORMA’s session on digital citizenship to bridge youth and gender gaps. Join us on Tuesday 4 November (17:55–18:40) at the upcoming Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona.

At a time when societies are becoming more digital, but inequalities persist, this session will explore how Digital Citizenship Education (DCE) can be a powerful tool to foster inclusive and democratic digital spaces. Together with partners from the Council of Europe, CEMR, NALAG and PLATFORMA’s youth network YEOC, the discussion will showcase how DCE empowers young people and women to engage meaningfully in civic life, combat online violence, and reduce social exclusion.

Guided by PLATFORMA’s secretariat, the debate will feature local leaders, gender equality advocates and youth representatives who will share experiences from cities such as Kutaisi (Georgia) and Cologne (Germany), as well as expertise from European networks and institutions. Their combined perspectives will highlight how local and regional governments, civil society and international partners can work together to ensure that “smart” cities are not only technologically advanced, but also socially just, inclusive, and democratic.

The need to equip all citizens

As 2025 marks the Council of Europe’s Year of Digital Citizenship Education, this timely session will also underline the need to equip all citizens, especially young people and women, with the competences to navigate the digital transition safely, critically, and equally.

The Smart City Expo World Congress is the world’s leading event on urban innovation, gathering thousands of local and regional leaders, innovators, and experts every year to shape the cities of the future, making it the perfect stage for this conversation. Is is organised by FIRA Barcelona, with which PLATFORMA signed a cooperation agreement earlier this year.

Join us in Barcelona at the Smart City Expo World Congress and be part of the conversation on how Digital Citizenship Education can bridge youth and gender gaps in our societies. 

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