International Relations News Approval for the i2010 – programme replacing the eEurope 2005 action programme Approval for the i2010 – programme replacing the eEurope 2005 action programme
- 06/06/2005
The European Commission last week approved the i2010 - A European Information Society for growth and employment programme, which replaces the eEurope 2005 action programme.
Based around three pillars – where the convergence of policies, increased investment in information and communication technologies (ICT) and the promotion of an inclusive information society are aligned towards the same objective -, the new strategy has been earmarked as a new driver for the Lisbon Strategy, which has also undergone a rethink so that it focuses on growth and employment.
The "i2010: European Information Society 2010" strategy has been defined for the next five-year period and will be funded by the European Union’s programmes, namely the seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), as both prioritise ICT as catalysts for Europe’s competitiveness. To promote a more inclusive information society for people, the European Commission will invest in an action plan for eGovernment services focused on citizens, which is scheduled to be launched in 2006. Added to this are three quality of life initiatives – including technology to help the elderly, intelligent vehicles and digital libraries for all – which are due to start by 2007. Actions to span social and geographical divides within Europe in the area of digital literacy will culminate in the e-Inclusion plan, with a start date pencilled in for 2008.
Viviane Reding hopes that with this new regulatory framework at least 50 per cent of Portuguese households will have Internet connections with a minimum 10 megabit per second (Mbps) speed by 2010.
The Government’s commitment is noteworthy, both through UMIC in preparing this document and also through Roberto Carneiro, head of the eEurope Advisory Group, who personally contributed a great deal to the work that has now been finished.
The measures that are now on the table are completely in keeping with UMIC’s programming documents.