Citizens' Dialogue with Commissioner Mariya Gabriel This event will not be webstreamed live. Friday 22 February 2019, 11:30 - 12:30 (EET)Ruse, Bulgaria Media 19-02-22_gabriel_ruse_bg_02.jpg19-02-22_gabriel_ruse_bg_02.jpgClose Speakers Practical information WhenFriday 22 February 2019, 11:30 - 12:30 (EET)WhereRuse University, Corpus 2 Aula Ruse University, Corpus 2 Aula, Ruse, Bulgaria Report One of the biggest challenges linked to digitalisation is the risk of social exclusion. The European Commission must develop policies and tools that will guarantee that no one is left behindCommissioner Mariya GabrielOn 22 February 2019, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel participated in a Citizens' Dialogue at University of Ruse, under the topic “Digital technologies: opportunities and challenges”. The Dialogue took place in a hall packed with more than 200 active participants, mainly young people and students, who focused on topics such as the EU elections, fake news, cybersecurity, digital skills and the digital economy.In her opening remarks, Commissioner Gabriel compared Bulgaria with other EU member states on digital technologies and the Digital Economy and Society Index 2018 ranking; she insisted on the most important issues within the scope of the Digital Single Market and the measures the Commission would take to tackle these problems.In the context of the forthcoming European elections, some participants expressed their concerns about possible foreign interference.Commissioner Gabriel explained the measures that the European Commission has already implemented to prevent this, as well as several legislative proposals, which focus on building cybersecurity capabilities and cooperation between Member States.“The European Commission remains firm in its commitment to take measures against fake news and disinformation,” she said.Many participants voiced their uncertainty about the effect that action against disinformation may have on the freedom of expression in Europe. Some of them were even worried that actions against fake news may lead to some sort of censorship.However, Commissioner Gabriel soothed these doubts with detailed explanations about the intentions and the actual initiatives of the Commission on the topic. Another important topic brought up during the Dialogue was digital skills. Commissioner Gabriel talked about how digitalisation is radically transforming the economy and the society.Young people asked very concrete questions about the way that the Commission plans to support young entrepreneurs in the digital sector.During the event some university professors expressed their gratitude for the responsiveness of Commissioner Gabriel and her team that are always ready to answer to questions and comments no matter which country or city they are coming from. At the end of the event, the Commissioner reminded students that the active participation of young people in public debate is crucial; the society and the decision-makers cannot make policy and decide about the future of young people without seeking their views.
One of the biggest challenges linked to digitalisation is the risk of social exclusion. The European Commission must develop policies and tools that will guarantee that no one is left behindCommissioner Mariya GabrielOn 22 February 2019, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel participated in a Citizens' Dialogue at University of Ruse, under the topic “Digital technologies: opportunities and challenges”. The Dialogue took place in a hall packed with more than 200 active participants, mainly young people and students, who focused on topics such as the EU elections, fake news, cybersecurity, digital skills and the digital economy.In her opening remarks, Commissioner Gabriel compared Bulgaria with other EU member states on digital technologies and the Digital Economy and Society Index 2018 ranking; she insisted on the most important issues within the scope of the Digital Single Market and the measures the Commission would take to tackle these problems.In the context of the forthcoming European elections, some participants expressed their concerns about possible foreign interference.Commissioner Gabriel explained the measures that the European Commission has already implemented to prevent this, as well as several legislative proposals, which focus on building cybersecurity capabilities and cooperation between Member States.“The European Commission remains firm in its commitment to take measures against fake news and disinformation,” she said.Many participants voiced their uncertainty about the effect that action against disinformation may have on the freedom of expression in Europe. Some of them were even worried that actions against fake news may lead to some sort of censorship.However, Commissioner Gabriel soothed these doubts with detailed explanations about the intentions and the actual initiatives of the Commission on the topic. Another important topic brought up during the Dialogue was digital skills. Commissioner Gabriel talked about how digitalisation is radically transforming the economy and the society.Young people asked very concrete questions about the way that the Commission plans to support young entrepreneurs in the digital sector.During the event some university professors expressed their gratitude for the responsiveness of Commissioner Gabriel and her team that are always ready to answer to questions and comments no matter which country or city they are coming from. At the end of the event, the Commissioner reminded students that the active participation of young people in public debate is crucial; the society and the decision-makers cannot make policy and decide about the future of young people without seeking their views.
