Commission launches consultation on European ICT competitiveness
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on ways to strengthen the global competitiveness of Europe's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industries. The questionnaire is structured around three broad areas of the Commission activities, which are included in the 2007 Annual Report of the i2010 initiative. These are the ICT regulatory framework and associated issues, such as intellectual property rights; research and innovation; and social aspects, such as bridging the digital divide. In the area of innovation and research, the questionnaire points to the growing internationalisation of ICT, and the need for researchers and industrialists to access ICT knowledge and skills from around the world. Faced with this challenge, the Commission asks stakeholders to suggest the areas of ICT research that should have priority and the countries and regions with which to increase international cooperation in these areas. Stakeholders are also asked about the benefits of working with global partners and the barriers they have faced in setting up research partnerships abroad. Other questions refer to the role of international cooperation in building e-infrastructures and dealing with global challenges, such as energy efficiency, aging population, public health, security, disaster risk reduction and emergency management. The consultation will run until 17 September and is open to all stakeholders, including industries, research community and consumer organisations.