Evidence of digital transformation is everywhere: education, work, finance, entertainment, communication, almost no environment escapes the digital universe. The 3rd Mois Numérique Jeunesse (MNJ), which will take place from February 1 to March 6, aims to raise awareness and equip young people to face this unavoidable reality. Henkel Media spoke with Mehdi Benboubakeur, CEO of Printemps numérique, the organization that oversees this annual meeting for the under-35s.

Workshops, training sessions, conferences, exhibitions, shows, video games, hackathon (collaborative computer programming marathon), tools for young people and teachers: a range of online activities and resources are offered by Printemps numérique thanks to a refined and intuitive web platform .

“We need to prepare the next generation for our industries,” says Mr. Benboubakeur . “Digital technology is a knowledge economy; the primary resource is people. We want to democratize access to knowledge and digital tools. We want as many young people as possible to be able to participate in this transformation.”

“We must avoid the future being divided into two categories of citizens,” he continues . “Thus, we fight against socio-economic inequalities and those associated with gender. Only 10 to 20% of people in the world of digital technologies are women. This is abnormal. They are not where tomorrow is being prepared. Not enough, at least. So, there is a problem of equity, obviously, but also of creativity. Overly homogeneous environments are environments that are not very innovative.”

Education, information and entertainment

On the Mois Numérique Jeunesse website , some 300 partners, in collaboration with Printemps numérique, are offering various events over more than four weeks. Sometimes, information on digital issues is conveyed through entertainment, sometimes it is transmitted through an interactive event.

According to the Printemps numérique team, improving digital skills and the future of young people is everyone's business. That's why it is collaborating with multiple stakeholders—including École Branchée, Communautique, Tobo, Réseau des Carrefours jeunesse-emploi du Québec and the Musée de la civilisation de Québec—to bring together a Quebec-wide community in digital literacy. In addition to the calendar of activities, Printemps numérique will offer virtual meetings. Here are a few examples:

• A 3D virtual world (Metaverse) to introduce secondary school students to the possibilities of digital technology

• Four Facebook Live with inspiring young professionals in the digital field who question and express themselves on “desirable digital”

• A video creation competition for 16 to 29 year olds, aimed at promoting the issue of information transparency

Here and there in cities, the organization sets up digital cafés with the help of other local partners. Young people can meet curious people and experts, touch robots, drones, etc. Digital Spring, with the Commission on Ethics in Science and Technology and UNESCO, has also developed a charter of digital citizenship in which we talk in particular about data transparency on the web and respect for others in communications.

"Studying, working and communicating in the digital age comes with its share of challenges. We are fortunate to have stakeholders in Quebec who are developing innovative activities and tools to support young people so that they become alert, critical and creative citizens," says Mehdi Benboubakeur.

Digital Spring

Printemps numérique is a non-profit organization that aims to connect individuals, organizations and ideas to advance and promote digital intelligence. Acting for industries, communities and players on the local and international scene, Printemps numérique is the avant-garde actor that promotes networking by opening up the horizons of progress. It offers a direct and accessible connection to the digital world through its actions that promote inclusiveness, humanism, audacity and curiosity.