First reflections of "High-Level Expert Group on the Social and Societal Aspects of the Information Society"
On 25 April 1995, Mr. Padraig Flynn, European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, announced the establishment of a "High-Level Expert Group on the Social and Societal Aspects of the Information Society". The remit of this expert group is to provide practical advice on the various implications of the Information Society and how to maximize its advantages for the benefit of society as a whole. The Group has recently presented a "First Reflections Report". The report, which is an interim statement of the Group's work to date, outlines a broad set of issues confronting policy makers, as Europe moves towards the full development of an Information Society, and offers them over 100 initial policy suggestions. The issues covered range from economic matters, such as employment policy, regional cohesion and training, to societal aspects, such as the quality of life, social cohesion, health and democracy. The report argues that it is neither possible nor desirable to separate the social and societal aspects of the information society from the technical, industrial and economic aspects. It argues in favour of a European model of the Information Society based on a strong ethos of solidarity. Particular emphasis is placed on: - The employment implications of the Information Society; - New forms of work organization emerging in the Information Society; - The need to ensure that social cohesion issues are taken into account, and avoid the creation of new groups of excluded people in the drive towards the Information Society. The aim of the "First Reflections Report" is to stimulate debate in view of the preparation of the final report of the High Level Expert Group, which is planned for May 1996. In parallel, the Commission will be preparing a Green Paper on "Social policy for the Information Society" which will be launched at the Information Society colloquium in Dublin, Ireland, in September 1996.