Together with 9 of our member organisations, we have co-signed a joint letter calling on the European Union to guarantee off-line access to all essential services.
While the digitalization of essential services is speeding up and the offline alternative channels are disappearing, the digital gap persists in Europe, with more than 40% of Europe’s population still lacking basic digital skills.
This situation risks undermining the shared EU values of universal access to essential services and equal treatment, as enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights (and its principle 20 on the right to access essential services).
The open letter, initiated by Lire & Ecrire, a Belgian lifelong learning organisation, advocating for the right to literacy for all and social cohesion, are addressed to the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament.
The letter has so far been endorsed by 145 organisations, including a number of AGE members:
AGÔ, BAGSO, FATEC, DaneAge, VBNGB, 50+ Hellas, SPF (Finland), Entr’âges, PASYDY.
We hope that others will join the list and support this important call.
