Minister backs ‘vital’ EU Code Week programme

Irish Minister of State Dara Calleary has praised EU Code Week for promoting digital skills all over Europe, at an official meeting with Matrix Internet and fellow Irish partners in the Code4Europe Consortium. 

Minister of State for Digital Transformation, Mr Calleary hosted the meeting at the Department building on Kildare Street, Dublin, welcoming representatives from Matrix, Microsoft Ireland, National College of Ireland, Terawe, and Schuman Associates.

The milestone meeting was against the backdrop of the Europe-wide celebration EU Code Week, which takes place from 14-27 October. It’s important to note that while the spotlight shines brightly during these two weeks, EU Code Week is a robust year-round initiative aimed at enhancing coding and digital literacy.

Matrix’s chief task in the international Consortium is leading communication and event management over the next two years — at the forefront of driving educational change.

Minister Calleary expressed his support and enthusiasm, saying: “As we celebrate EU Code Week, an initiative dedicated to making coding and digital literacy accessible and enjoyable for everyone, I am delighted to meet with some of the Irish members of the Code4Europe Consortium who have taken stewardship of this grassroots initiative. 

“I am greatly encouraged by their commitment and the role they play in fostering digital education across Europe. This aligns perfectly with my Department’s priorities to enhance Ireland’s digital infrastructure and literacy, ensuring that digital skills are a cornerstone of both our economic and social strategies.”

He further emphasised the critical role of learning to code in navigating and shaping our rapidly evolving digital landscape, which opens up pathways to innovation and future opportunities. 

“With four million participants annually, and the average age being just 11, EU Code Week is instrumental in achieving the European Union’s Digital Decade goal of developing 20 million ICT professionals by 2030,” he added. 

Code Week focused this year on encouraging more young girls to pursue coding and digital careers — a significant step towards a more inclusive digital future.

Minister Calleary also highlighted the tireless work of people advancing digital, saying: “The dedication of our educators and digital leaders, especially during EU Code Week, is vital as we strive to make digital skills accessible throughout the year. It is inspiring to see such enthusiasm for coding in Ireland, and I am fully supportive of these efforts to equip our citizens for a thriving digital future.”

For more information on EU Code Week and to learn how to get involved in its year-round activities, please visit EU Code Week’s official website. Join us at Matrix Internet as we continue to champion digital education and empower future generations.