International Relations News Meeting of the OECD's Working Party on Internet Economy Meeting of the OECD's Working Party on Internet Economy
- 19/06/2009
A meeting of the WPIE – Working Party on Internet Economy of the OECD’s Information, Computers and Communication Policy Committee (ICCP) was held on 17-18 June 2009. The importance of “Green ICT” to the economic recovery, growth, innovation, development and the environment were discussed at this meeting, following the OECD High Level Conference “ICT, the Environment and Climate Change” which was held in Denmark from 27 to 28 May 2009. Portugal took part in this conference through Professor Paulo Ferrão, Director of the MIT - Portugal Program, with a presentation entitled “ICT innovation for sustainable urban infrastructures” (see Portugal participates in the OECD High Level Conference: ICT, the Environment and Climate Change). The option of drafting an OECD recommendation was discussed. This would support the introduction and revision of national ICT and environment policies, for which a restricted working party of national experts was set up to work on this proposal by the end of the year. Portugal is part of this group, represented by Professor Paulo Ferrão.
The results of the Working Session on “Using sensor-based networks to address global issues” held in Lisbon on 8-9 June 2009 were presented (see Portuguese Experts in Conference on Sensor Networks Organised by the OECD).The conclusion was reached that the topic still needs as much attention as possible given the fast-moving developments in research in the area and the complexity of its multiple uses.
The WPIE also discussed, following a small workshop where different printed newspaper stakeholders made presentations, the difficulties and/or opportunities that online news presently poses to the printed market. Particular emphasis was given to the biggest current problem, i.e. journalists losing their jobs. The conclusion was reached that a restricted group of countries comprising national experts needs to be set up to monitor this work at the OECD. Portugal will be represented on this group by the journalist António Granado.
The WPIE also acknowledged the recent publication of the Policy Responses to the Economic Crisis: Investing in Innovation and Long Term Growth report, to which it contributed. The report refers to the measures that OECD countries are carrying out in the area of innovation and to address the crisis in a short space of time, in addition to the Innovation Strategy, two of the OECD’s current top priorities.
Portugal is represented at the Working Party on Internet Economy (WPIE) by The Knowledge Society Agency (UMIC), in the person of Ana Cristina Neves, Head of International Relations.