Abelha, MartaMonteiro, AngélicaSeabra, FilipaSeabra2026-01-082026-01-0820251996-2026http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/20725Editores convidados: Marta Abelha, Angélica Monteiro e Filipa SeabraThe European Council's Communication regarding school development and excellent teaching since 2017 highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to teacher education at all levels. This approach should ensure the continuous professional development of both novice and experienced teachers by integrating theory, practice, and research, while addressing the challenges posed by the knowledge society and equipping teachers with the essential digital competencies needed to navigate and leverage the rapidly evolving technological landscape. This includes developing teachers’ skills in terms of effectively utilizing digital tools for teaching, learning, and assessment and fostering their understanding of the ethical and pedagogical implications of technology in education. In this Special Issue, we aim to bring together contributions from teachers, researchers, and experts in education, teacher education, curriculum development, technology, and other related fields. The focus is on exploring various research areas and interests under the theme of “Empowering Teacher Education with Digital Competences,” supported by diverse theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches within a multicultural perspective. Suggested themes: Curriculum policies and practices for teacher education and professional development with digital technologies; Developing teachers’ digital competences amidst the contradictions and complementarities between the global agenda and current societal challenges; The effects and challenges of initial and continuing teacher education: policies and programs in the digital age; Teachers’ digital literacy and processes of social and digital inclusion and exclusion; Attracting prospective teachers to education in the digital age; Retaining teachers—an aging professional class in most European countries—among the societal challenges of the present age and helping them face the need for lifelong education.engjournal article