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European Digital Agenda |
Other interesting information about Information Society in Europe |
| 19th May, European Commission presente dan ambitious Digital Agenda for Europe to contribute to the EU’s economic growth and spread the benefits of the digital era to all sections of society. This Digital Agenda is the first of seven flagship initiatives under the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. |
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The presented documentoutlines seven priority areas for action. In these seven areas, the Digital Agenda foresees some 100 follow-up actions, of which 31 would be legislative. The objective is this Strategy indicate the way for all Member States work in the same direction in this field. The final goal is work together to release the true potential of ICTs as tolos to improve quality of life of all European citizens and companies. |
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Seven priority areas defined are:
- A new Single Market to deliver the benefits of the digital era. Citizens should be able to enjoy commercial services and cultural entertainment across borders. But EU online markets are still separated by barriers which hamper access to pan-European telecoms services, digital services and content. The Commission intends to open up access to legal online content by simplifying copyright clearance, management and cross-border licensing. Other actions include making electronic payments and invoicing easier and simplifying online dispute resolution.
- Improve ICT standard-setting and interoperability, to allow people to create, combine and innovate we need ICT products and services to be open and interoperable.
- Enhance trust and security. Europeans will not embrace technology they do not trust - they need to feel confident and safe online. A better coordinated European response to cyber-attacks and reinforced rules on personal data protection are part of the solution. Actions could also potentially oblige website operators to inform their users about security breaches affecting their personal data.
- Increase Europeans' access to fast and ultra fast internet. The 2020 target is internet speeds of 30 Mbps or above for all European citizens, with half European households subscribing to connections of 100Mbps or higher. The Commission will inter alia explore how to attract investment in broadband through credit enhancement mechanisms and will give guidance on how to encourage investments in fibre-based networks.
- Boost cutting-edge research and innovation in ICT. Europe must invest more in R&D and ensure our best ideas reach the market. The Agenda aims to inter alia leverage private investments with European regional funding and increasing EU research funding to ensure that Europe keeps up with and even surpasses its competition.
- Empower all Europeans with digital skills and accessible online services.
- Unleash the potential of ICT to benefit society. We need to invest in smart use of technology and the exploitation of information to seek solutions to reduce energy consumption, support ageing citizens, empower patients and improve online access for people with disabilities. One aim would be that by 2015 patients could have access to their online medical records wherever they were in the EU.
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A Digital Agenda press pack is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=5826 |
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