3.2.2. Modify Education Curricula to Include Principles of Technological Sovereignty

Education systems and curricula should be updated to ensure that education allows for students to obtain "Mündigkeit" on technology matters.

This means not only teaching the basic principles underpinning technology as such (a minimum requirement of STEM for every student), but also explaining the relationship between technology and society, e.g. by pointing out alternative systems such as the commons and other economic models of technological development and management.

It is clear, in this respect, that our education systems should reflect, and educate, much more regarding the interaction of technology and society, and the concept of Technological Sovereignty. Approaches such as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) can play a crucial role in this respect, providing a publicly available repository of knowledge and understanding.

Education via the Internet revives a classical social topos: educating and empowering people. Today, courses by the best experts and most renowned teachers are accessible to many people across the globe. While this is a fantastic development, the accelerating technological change requires a more systematic approach to allow life-long learning, e.g. via extended sabbaticals and learning credits. Rather than burdening individuals with the obligation to use their own time and resources in learning and gaining new technical skills, public and private support is needed to ensure flexible education can truly serve everyone.

Access to life-long learning is a right. Not a duty.