FP6 to play key role in creating information society - Liikanen
Technological change is no longer just the concern of computer buffs and experts, but has placed itself at the top of the Community policy agenda, said Commissioner for Enterprise and information society, Erkki Liikanen on 7 November at the IST2000 event taking place in Nice, France. A more intense research and development (R&D) effort is required to cater for the increased speed of technological progress and the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) will be an important part of this, said Liikanen, particularly in spreading the concepts and aims of the eEurope plan beyond the 2002 horizon. 'In this context, the research financed by the IST programme should first of all encourage taking risks and in particular move toward longer term goals,' he said. This will mean that the programme will require the type of financing which reflects its importance of the information and communication technologies in Europe's economy, as well as in other areas. Like French Research Minister Roger Gerard Schwartzenberg, Mr Liikanen emphasised that the procedures involved in the programme will have to become more compatible with the duration of the technologies which it covers. In FP6, eEurope should reflect the fact information technologies can give Europe economic growth, employment creation and quality of life. At present, eEurope has three major goals: to help make the Internet more affordable, quicker and safer; to invest in both knowledge and skills; and to stimulate use of the Internet.