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- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I address the Workshop "Together for a better internet", in the context of the International Safer Internet Day. Today's event is organised by the Pedagogical Institute of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, with the support of the partners participating in the European Project "Safer Internet Centre - CyberSafety".
We are living in an era of rapid technological development. The use of the internet has become a necessity for searching for information, communication, entertainment, shopping and other aspects of our daily lives. The inevitably increased use of the Internet by people of all ages requires, on the one hand, training and, on the other hand, awareness-raising and mobilisation for its correct and safe use.
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, as recorded in the Governance Programme, seeks to accelerate digital transformation in schools and modernise our education system through the integration of new technologies in teaching and learning and the development of digital skills of teachers, pupils and students. To this end, our country's digital strategy aims at digital literacy and digital citizenship, with the ultimate goal of improving learning outcomes. In this context, we are investing and implementing the development of digital literacy, the redesign and enhancement of curricula and the technological upgrading of our schools.
We envision an education system in which the digitally literate teacher is the catalyst for change, enhancing the critical thinking, creativity and adaptability of his/her students, differentiating his/her teaching through forms of authentic learning.
We envision an education system in which the digitally literate teacher is the catalyst for change, enhancing the critical thinking, creativity and adaptability of his/her students, differentiating his/her teaching through forms of authentic learning. We create the conditions in which teachers will not be bound by the constraints of time and space and will be able to use online learning environments to support students across Cyprus, thus bridging the gap between generations and cultures.
At the same time, we expand the training and professional support for teachers, with the aim of further developing their digital competence and pedagogical integration of new technologies in teaching and learning.
We are placing particular emphasis on the process of modernising curricula, which is expected to be completed soon, to come into force from September 2024, aiming to develop 21st century skills for digital and green transition.
To achieve our plans towards the modernisation of our education system, the contribution of the Recovery and Resilience Plan is expected to be important, with a series of reform actions and investments of around €100 million.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The internet, as a key element of the wider digital environment, is a powerful tool in our hands that can, under the right conditions and circumstances, contribute to the effort for a better tomorrow.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The internet, as a key element of the wider digital environment, is a powerful tool in our hands that can, under the right conditions and circumstances, contribute to the effort for a better tomorrow. It is our duty to all work "together for a better internet", as is the motto of this day. By cultivating and using our creative and critical thinking combined with a matrix of ethical principles, values and solid knowledge, we can become the shapers of an internet in which everyone's personal data is safe and in which fraud, misinformation and intimidation are kept to a minimum.
It is a universal right, as well as a collective responsibility, to shape and use an internet that is multidimensional, easy to use, flexible, with many opportunities and possibilities for personal and social development, operating in an ethical and secure framework. Respect, acceptance and rationality determine the way in which any technological instrument is developed and used. So with the Internet, its development and wise use is in our own hands. So, together we can create a better internet!
In closing, I would like to thank our speakers, the Cyprus CyberSafety Youth Panel of the Cyprus CyberSafety Centre and all those who participated in the organisation and presentation of the workshop. I would also like to thank all the collaborating organisations and the Pedagogical Institute, which was responsible for the organisation of the event.
But I especially congratulate our students and teachers, since their enthusiasm, effort and ideas are the impetus for us to adopt measures for safe and creative use and exploitation of the Internet and enjoy the joy of learning through original and innovative actions.
IP
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