International ministerial conference on "Global Information Networks"
The German government is to host an international ministerial conference on "Global Information Networks" to be held in Bonn, Germany, from 6 to 8 July 1997. The conference will be prepared in close cooperation with the Commission and the other Member States The aim of the conference is to analyse the issues underlying the development of Information Society policies and to reach common understanding on the means and conditions governing the use and conditions of global information networks. The German proposal to host the conference followed a Council resolution acknowledging the need for further analysis of the issues involved, in particular in relation to privacy and harmful content on global networks. The conference will be attended by Ministers from the EU, EFTA and the Central and Eastern European countries, as well as invited Ministers from non-European countries. There will also be representatives from businesses which are global players in the sector (including content providers, access and service providers, network providers and equipment manufacturers) and user representatives. Observers from international and European organizations, including the European Parliament, will also be invited. Following the conference, the aim is to have a common ministerial declaration, which will outline the principles governing the use of global information networks and cooperative steps in international fora. The declaration is likely to cover both general principles and specific principles relating to building user confidence, empowering users and developing commerce and content.
Countries
Germany