Swiss Digitaltag 2021: Digital skills for a digital future

The six-week period is designed to foster nationwide discourse on digital concerns, focusing on two core areas: Learning and co-creating the future through open dialogue.

"So far, we have been able to implement a new concept for the Digitaltag every year. The needs of the population, but also our mediation role, which we perform with the action day, have changed: From experiencing the digital world with the help of important encounters to the development of digital skills," explains Diana Engetschwiler, overall responsible of the Swiss Digital Day. "For the first time, new digital skills can be acquired, visions developed together, and questions of an increasingly digital future discussed over several weeks in hundreds of learning and dialog activities."

Mastering digital transformation

Digitaltag learning events are all about skills for a digital future. From panel discussions to workshops and learning labs. Free online and offline courses are offered in all regions of Switzerland, where a specific digital competence can be acquired in 45 minutes each. More than 150 such courses are available on various topics. The format is accessible to anyone who wants to become more digitally confident and future-proof - from digital newcomers to digital natives.

In Lausanne, for example, children between the ages of 8 and 14 can create their first animations and discover the possibilities of programming; in Lucerne, you can learn how to turn your smartphone into a practical travel companion, or find out how to recognize ethically questionable applications of artificial intelligence in an online course.

Hackathon by and for women

The hackathon offers another learning opportunity "Herhack" by women for women, which will take place on November 6 and 7 in Zurich. With 250 women, it is set to become the largest women's hackathon in Switzerland. All women aged 18 and older who want to take their first or next step in the technology industry are eligible to participate. Regardless of prior knowledge, background knowledge and programming skills, the goal is to implement a sustainability idea related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the UN Agenda 2030 in just 36 hours. Registration is free of charge.

Expanding the digital horizon in open dialog

Digitization is perceived very differently and triggers mixed feelings about the future. In order to make these different views heard, more than 30 dialog events are also being held throughout Switzerland. No prior knowledge is assumed and everyone should have their say.

The aim is to give participants a voice and to promote collaborative exchange. At the same time, it is also intended to promote the ability to act for a digital future. At the Aargauer Kunsthaus, interested parties can discuss the influence of digitization on political participation; in Zurich, they can exchange ideas about future-relevant skills and the hybrid workplace; or take part in a speed debate hosted by the Youth Council in Nyon.

An overview of all learning and dialog events during the six weeks leading up to Digitaltag is available at Digitaltag.swiss. The events are all free of charge, registration is usually required.

Shortlist for StartupBattle published

Also new is the Shortlist for the StartupBattle fixed. Presented by Innosuisse, the Pitch Award, which honors the best innovation of 2021, is organized by Digitalswitzerland in collaboration with Sictic. Of the more than 70 applications, 15 startups have pre-qualified, one of which will be chosen as the winner of 10,000 and 25,000 Swiss francs in AWS credits at Digitaltag.