Better Internet for Kids

Although digital technologies offer a world of opportunities and benefits for children and young people, it is important to understand the risks associated with them and how to best protect children and young people as young consumers online. Against this background, a CONNECT University webinar will take place on Friday, 11 April 2025, from 10:00-12:00 CEST, aiming to provide practical advice aimed at parents/caregivers, educators and the wider public on how to support and protect children when they are online and particularly as young consumers in the digital space.

Learn more about the European Commission's CONNECT University here.

Join the webinar here or access it via Slido with code#3973845.

Since 8 April 2011, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has celebrated Girls in ICT Day annually on the fourth Thursday in April. This initiative promotes information and communication technologies (ICT) to young women and girls and encourages them to pursue STEM education, aims to inspire girls and young women to work in STEM careers, and engages the community to promote collaboration through partnerships.

The theme for 2025 is “Girls in ICTs: bridging ALL divides for an inclusive digital transformation”, and it will emphasise the critical importance of achieving equal and equitable digital inclusion for ALL young women and girls, especially those in vulnerable situations, in the digital transformation process to accelerate global meaningful connectivity.

World IP Day highlights the need for a well-balanced intellectual property system that both acknowledges and rewards the efforts of inventors and creators while ensuring society reaps the benefits of their ingenuity. IP rights provide legal protection for the innovations and creative works of researchers, inventors, businesses, designers, and artists, allowing them to gain economic value from their contributions.

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

After over 30 years, the historic connection made between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good remains as relevant as it was at the time of its signing. The day is celebrated worldwide with a number of initiatives, including the high-level UNESCO's 32nd World Press Freedom Day conference Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media, which will explore the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence presents for the right to information.

Europe Day is held on 9 May every year, and it celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic 'Schuman declaration' that set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable. Schuman's proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

The European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) is an open multi-stakeholder platform to exchange views about the Internet and how it is governed. First organised in 2008 by several organisations, government representatives and experts, it fosters dialogue and collaboration with the Internet community on public policy for the Internet – culminating in an annual conference that takes place in a different European city every year. EuroDIG ‘Messages’ are prepared and presented to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

In 2025, EuroDIG will take place from 12 – 14 May in Strasbourg, France, hosted by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

15 May was adopted as the International Day of Families by the UN General Assembly. This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

The day centres around recognising and understanding each other's differences, but also celebrating these and promoting peace and harmony between everyone around the world. Culture can play a huge role in that, both through celebrating our differences and understanding what we have in common with each other.

Designated by the General Assembly in 2012, Global Day of Parents provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents for their "selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship."

Emphasising the critical role of parents in the rearing of children, the Global Day of Parents recognises that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children. For the full and harmonious development of their personality, children should grow up in a family environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.

Originally focused on victims of the 1982 Lebanon War, its purpose expanded to "acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse". This day affirms the UN's commitment to protecting the rights of children.