From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 17 March 2004 12:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Information Society Newsroom Update 17-03-2004



INFORMATION SOCIETY NEWSROOM UPDATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------



--------------------------------------- Education and Training
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom/library/theme/edutra/index
_en.htm

-- NEWS ARTICLE
First visit to Brussels of the Commissioners-designate from the 10 new
Member States (16/03/2004)
President Prodi welcomed the 10 nominees to Brussels for an informal meeting
on 16 March. The Commissioners from the new Member States will be full
members of the College and will play a full and active role in the
decision-making process. While they will not have specific portfolios, they
will each be associated with the work of an existing Commissioner in order
to ease their integration into the Commission's work. Ján Figel (Slovakia)
will be twinned with Erkki Liikanen (Enterprise and the Information Society)
The European Parliament will hold hearings with the
'Commissioners-designate' on 13-15 April 2004.
The new Members of the Commission will be officially appointed by the
Council, in accordance with the Act of Accession. This specifies that the
Council must act by qualified majority and by common accord with the
President of the Commission.

-- NEWS ARTICLE
New eTEN call open (15/03/2004)
A new Call for Proposals under the eTEN Programme (Trans-European
Telecommunications Networks) of the European Commission has been launched.
eTEN is designed to help the deployment of public electronic services
(e-services) with a trans-European dimension. The main focus of eTEN in 2004
will be the practical realisation of on-line services in the areas of
eGovernment, eHealth, eInclusion, eLearning, Trust and Security services and
services for SME's. The proposed indicative Community budget allocation
will be 42 million euro. The call will close on 9 June at 16.00 (Brussels
local time).



--------------------------------------- Economy and Work
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom/library/theme/ecowor/index
_en.htm

-- PRESS RELEASE
e-confidence policy crucial as many consumers are apprehensive about on-line
shopping (15/03/2004)
E-commerce is still not widely used in the European Union, with a meagre 16%
of EU citizens making use of the opportunities it offers. At the same time,
consumers continue to be apprehensive about using the electronic
marketplace. One in four consumers (25%) who do not use e-commerce do not
trust the medium itself. These are the main findings of a Eurobarometer poll
which the Commission published on European Consumer Day. The Irish Council
Presidency marks this year's Consumer Day by focusing public attention on
the evolving European Online Marketplace.



--------------------------------------- IS Industry
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom/library/theme/isind/index_
en.htm

-- NEWS ARTICLE
Open Workshop on IP voice and associated convergent services (16/03/2004)
On the 15th of March, the European Commission organised a public workshop in
Brussels on the use of Internet to carry voice and associated convergent
services. In presenting a study they carried out for the Commission,
Analysys identified and explained a number of important issues associated
with the transition from the existing 'classic' PSTN system to use of IP
networks for public voice and associated services. These issues covered
regulation, technology, economics, and the structure of the telecoms market.
The workshop generated a lot of public interest and discussion. Written
comments related to the Analysys paper and on Voice over IP in general can
be sent to the Commission before the end of April. By mid-summer, the
Commission expects to publish some guidelines drawing on the feedback
received, and explaining how the new regulatory framework should be applied
in this area. Further details and a copy of the Analysis study are available
on the website.

-- PRESS RELEASE
European industry leaders and EU policymakers call for budget boost for
Security Research (15/03/2004)
A high-level group of 27 top European industry executives and policymakers
formally presented their report on 15 March to Romano Prodi, President of
the European Commission. The report entitled, "Research for a Secure
Europe", describes the need for increased European funding and co-ordination
in security research. It also outlines 12 recommendations for the future,
including an urgent call for a minimum of EUR 1 billion to be spent annually
to develop technology in this area. The group, chaired by European
Commissioners Philippe Busquin (Research) and Erkki Liikanen (Enterprise and
Information Society), was convened last October in order to present their
vision for a future European Security Research Programme from 2007.





---------------------------------------- NEXT I.S. EVENTS --------------

-- 22 March 2004
Workshop on Community support on eGovernement in Acceeding Countrie
Brussels, Belgium
The workshop offers an opportunity to highlight achievements of national
projects in Acceding Countries, get insight on financing of eGovernment
using the Structural Funds as well as look forward to challenges and
priorities for future research and good practices. It is especially targeted
to public authorities at all levels in the New Member States, but all
stakeholders are welcome.


-- 24 March 2004
eTEN Information Day
Concert Noble , Brussels
The Commission's eTEN programme will publish in March 2004 a new call for
proposals. eTEN is designed to help the deployment of public electronic
services (e-services) with a trans-European dimension. The main focus of
eTEN in 2004 will be the practical realisation of on-line services in the
areas of eGovernment, eHealth, eInclusion (services for elderly or disabled
citizens), eLearning, Trust and Security services and services for SME's.


-- 24 - 26 March 2004
EUROINDIA2004
New Delhi, India
The EuroIndia2004 Co-operation Forum on the Information Society, funded by
the European Commission, is the fourth in a series of international
co-operation events to showcase the European vision on Information Society
Technologies (IST) and enrich it further through international cooperation.
European Commissioner for Enterprise & Information Society Mr. Erkki
Liikanen, will do the opening address at the plenary session of the event.


-- 24 - 27 March 2004
EuroP.A. 2004 - European Public Administration Exhibition
Rimini, Italy
This event intends to give Public Administration operators a valuable
opportunity to learn, compare and assimilate the instruments necessary for
bringing about real innovation in local administration. Municipalities,
Provinces, Regions, Ministries, Chambers of Commerce will present projects
and best practices in an exhibition. Companies will exhibit a range of
products, services and technologies for the modernisation of public
administration. The event also includes a full programme of conventions and
seminars, featuring a number of speakers from different EU member states.

Email: [log in to unmask]

-- 30 - 31 March 2004
11th European Tech Investment Forum (ETIF)
London, UK
Formerly the European Investment Forum (EIF), the ETIF is organised by
Europe Unlimited and promoted by the European Commission's IST Programme.
ETIF's mission is to facilitate the growth of Europe's most promising or
innovative information and communication technology companies by providing a
European platform where these entrepreneurial companies can meet with active
venture capital investors, with leading corporate contacts scouting
innovation and also specialised intermediaries from outside their home
countries. 62 European companies raised Euro 220 Million in past editions of
the Forum.

Email: [log in to unmask]




---------------------------------------- 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
mailto:[log in to unmask]

************************************************************************************
Distributed through Cyber-Society-Live [CSL]: CSL is a moderated discussion
list made up of people who are interested in the interdisciplinary academic
study of Cyber Society in all its manifestations.To join the list please visit:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/cyber-society-live.html
*************************************************************************************