Information Society In Europe

1 Pages 254 Words

The Information Society will affect everyone in the world. Some people will actively take part in the development, others will use the emerging technologies to create business opportunities and the majority of the citizens will use the new applications and services. It is a challenge to create an Information Society for everyone in Europe, taken into account cultural differences, level of development in different regions, increased global competition in the information technology area, the implications for the citizens in Europe etc. In this respect the European Commission’s work consequently covers many areas of importance in the establishment of the Information Society.

As an example of these important areas I would like to highlight the creation of a regulatory and legal framework to support the development of the Information Society (addressing issues like telecom liberalisation, interconnection, standards, copyright, privacy, encryption, intellectual property right, media ownership); the support for the development of infrastructure, applications, and services; social, the societal and cultural aspects and promotional activities for improving the citizens’ awareness of the possibilities and implications of the emerging technologies.

To support the work and development in these areas the Commission has established several programmes and initiatives contributing to the development of the Information Society. The projects and initiatives financed cover many areas of the Information Society and range from basic research projects to awareness actions, each contributing to a better European position in terms of competitiveness and in the overall understanding of the implications, risks and opportunities the development of the Information Society will bring for the future....