From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 20 February 2004 11:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Information Society Newsroom Update 20-02-2004
INFORMATION SOCIETY NEWSROOM UPDATE
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--------------------------------------- Education and Training
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom/library/theme/edutra/index
_en.htm
-- PRESS RELEASE
Connecting Europe at high speed: reviewing the eEurope 2005 action plan
(19/02/2004)
EU Member States and accession countries have made good progress in rolling
out broadband access and in getting public services on line, says a mid-term
progress report published by the European Commission on the eEurope 2005
Action Plan. eEurope, launched in 2000, seeks to ensure that the Union
realises the full potential of the information society to drive growth
through improved productivity and competitiveness. To do this eEurope now
focuses on the widespread availability of secure broadband services and on
action to promote greater use. The report recognises the important role of
public authorities in areas such as procurement, e-government, education and
eHealth, as well as the area of e-business where public authorities have an
important role in setting the right regulatory conditions. The current
Action Plan has ensured steady progress in most areas, but despite positive
signs, more effort is needed to share experience and to tailor services to
user needs rather than just focusing on installing new technology or
applications. This also requires strong political leadership. The Action
Plan forms the basis for a discussion with Member States and stakeholders
with a view to identifying changes by summer 2004.
--------------------------------------- Economy and Work
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom/library/theme/ecowor/index
_en.htm
-- PRESS RELEASE
Re-organisation of public administrations boosts the quality of online
services (18/02/2004)
Public administrations that combine the use of information and communication
technologies to deliver new services with the substantial reorganisation of
the way they work get higher appreciation ratings from business and
citizens. This finding emerges from a recently published survey:
"Reorganisation of Government Back Offices for Better Electronic Public
Services European Good Practices". Better results are due to the fact that
reorganisation reduces costs, increases productivity, and provides
flexibility and simpler organisational structures. This also helps to
improve how systems work together across the administration and can improve
the working environment for staff. The practical results for the public and
for businesses are fewer visits to administrations, together with faster,
cheaper, more accessible and efficient services. Benefits are also reflected
in fewer errors, more openness, easier to use systems and greater user
control.
--------------------------------------- Society and Culture
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom/library/theme/soccul/index
_en.htm
-- NEWS ARTICLE
Seminar shows high interest in exchanging experiences on eDemocracy
(19/02/2004)
On the 12 and 13th Feb 2004, over 250 international experts in the field of
eDemocracy assembled in Brussels to discuss the implications information
technology has, and is having upon our democracy. European Commissioner
Erkki Liikanen opened the seminar stating that ICT empowers citizens.
eGovernment can make governments more relevant to citizens by increasing
participation and involvement in decision-making. It can help restore
ownership: the government is of the people. The Commissioner also
highlighted some of existing immaturity of technologies and invited the
assembled academics, industry and politicians to discuss challenges and
priorities for future eDemocracy research.The seminar was an opportunity to
highlight achievements and landmark national projects, as well as look
forward to how the challenges can be addressed. Projects and presentations
at the seminar showed that eDemocracy has indeed great potential to overcome
the 'democratic deficit' and pilots have already shown usable results.
eDemocracy is developing fast and participants welcomed the seminar as a
unique opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences across the Europe. The
complete agenda and the slide presentations of the speakers can be found at
the eGovernment website, while the Seminar report will be made available by
the 28th Feb. 2004.
---------------------------------------- NEXT I.S. EVENTS --------------
-- 25 February 2004
Personalised Mobile Services Environment
Berlin, Germany
Joint workshop of the IST projects OPIUM (http://www.ist-opium.org) and
AlbatrOSS (http://www.ist-albatross.org). Both projects are complementary in
their topics 2.5/3G Networks and Service testbeds (Opium) and 3G OSSs and
Services (AlbatrOSS) and should raise some interesting debates and
discussions. This workshop will provide a rare opportunity for members of
multiple projects to come together to learn about the results of two highly
innovative projects under the 5th Framework Programme and to discuss ways in
which these results can be exploited in new FP6 projects.
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-- 25 February 2004
Access to the Information Society for deaf and hard of hearing people
Brussels, Belgium
The conference will bring together decision-makers at the highest level to
discuss the problems and potential solutions to open up the Information
Society for all deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired people. The aim of
the conference is to move towards a common European strategy in broadcasting
and telecommunications and to start removing some of the barriers to
opportunity and fulfilment.
Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Erkki Liikanen will be a
keynote speaker at the event and Per Blixt, Head of Unit for Disability and
Elderly People at Directorate General of the Information Society will chair
the last of the plenary session.
-- 26 - 27 February 2004
European Ministerial Conference On Information Society
Budapest, Hungary
This two-day pan-European Ministerial Conference is headlined "New
Opportunities for Growth in an Enlarged Europe". Ministers from new and
current member states, candidate countries and South Eastern European
Countries will discuss and review the progress in the joint Information
Society challenges for the whole of Europe. The expected 450 participants
will also include high-level representatives of international institutions,
the private sector, academics and civil society.
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---------------------------------------- IS NEWSROOM UPDATE ------------
Profile
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/services/subscribe/index_en.htm
Information Society Newsroom
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom
Information Society Website
http://europa.eu.int/information_society
Contact us
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