On the sidelines of the Conference “Ecology and digital technology… Allies or adversaries? “ which took place in Brussels on 21 March 2024 (Conference-debate: Ecology and digital technology… Allies or Adversaries? | EPALE (europa.eu)), I had the opportunity to participate in a round table with a panel of experts in the field of education and training.

These specialists were:

• Sarah Descamp (University of Mons – Home – University of Mons (umons.ac.be))
• Viola Pinzi (EAEA – European Association for the Education of Adults (eaea.org))
• Christophe Dondroit (IFAPME – Walloon Institute for Work-Study Training and Self-Employed and Small and Medium Enterprises – Training for the professions of the future | IFAPME)
• Sébastien Nahon (Catholic University of Louvain – Université catholique de Louvain | UCLouvain)
• Pierre Goffin (SPW Economy Employment Research – Emploi et Formation (wallonie.be))
• Sylvie Pinchard (non-profit organisation Lire & Ecrire – Lire et Écrire – Pour le droit de tous à l’alphabétisation (lire-et-ecrire.be))

Beyond the quality of the interventions, the speakers came from different backgrounds (Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Walloon Region, Brussels-Capital Region, Federal Government, Europass, European Union, other European countries, etc.), which allowed for a holistic and systemic approach to the issue.

The event highlighted the current skills gaps and challenges faced by various actors such as employers, workers, educators and policymakers. It also explored trends in skills development, looking at the future of the labour market in Europe and proposing strategies to empower Europeans to adapt to the technological and social changes that are redefining the world of work. All of these discussions are part of the context of the twin transitions: the ecological and digital transition.

My intervention made it possible to:

• Present the Entrepubl project as well as the training course that makes it up;
• Focus on Green IT: while digital presentations regularly mobilize people with an image of lightness or purity (virtual, cloud, dematerialized, etc.), the functioning of ICT is based on a profoundly material reality, the more the dematerialization of content (data, files, etc.) advances, the more the materialization of containers (terminals, networks, etc.) progresses;
• Insist on the ecological, social, human and societal impacts of digital technology;
• Present the concepts of rebound effect and impact transfer;
• Emphasize the importance of the SDGs in a perspective of a responsible future;
• Indicate where to find the training courses developed: which learning platforms to use, how to promote their visibility and use (ENTREpreneurship skills for PUBLic Employees in French (academyofentrepreneurship.org));
• Present the Community of practices: Public Sector Employee Community Corner | Groups | LinkedIn;
• To emphasize the importance of continuing vocational training.

You can find the content of the round table in the form of a podcast at the following address: Stream Round Table: “Ecology and digital technology: allies or foes?” by EPALE Belgium Wallonia Brussels | Listen online for free on SoundCloud.

EPALE AMBASSADOR

I had the honour of having recently been appointed Epale Ambassador by the Erasmus+ Agency (Erasmus+ in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation – Erasmusplus website (erasmusplus-fr.be)).

This is a great opportunity for the Entrepubl project. Beyond that, since 2015, EPALE (EPALE | Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (europa.eu)) continues to animate and activate our adult learning communities across Europe. This work is undoubtedly supported by the incredible network of ambassadors in each European country.

The French-speaking Belgian team is made up of professionals from a wide range of sectors and skills, who will help EPALE achieve its goals.

As an EPALE Ambassador, you

• Already know EPALE and are a member of the platform;
• Are a professional representative of the adult learning community (academic, educator, policymaker, guidance counsellor, trainer, project coordinator, volunteer…) or are close to it;
• Share EPALE’s events and activities with your circles/networks ;
• Promote the platform ;
• Have a good working knowledge of the platform (or are willing to take an ad hoc training);
• Are passionate about adult learning, in its local and European dimension;
• Inform and shape EPALE with your knowledge and expertise, through thematic publications.

Being an EPALE Ambassador allows you to:

• Meet your fellow ambassadors and the EPALE FWB team three times a year (in Belgium), for seminars or training courses;
• To have access to wider networks of ambassadors at EU level;
• To receive first-class training/information on the Erasmus+ programme/Adult sector and other sources of European funding;
• To travel to participate in events, summits or study visits in Europe..

The network offers excellent opportunities for development at European level, as well as for exchanging best practices with colleagues.

By Pierre Goffin

SPW (Walloon Public Service) Economy Employment Research