First months of MIDAS-NET operation
The first few months' operation of the MIDAS-NET network, set up under the INFO2000 programme to promote the dissemination of multimedia content, has been very successful, according to a report published by the European Commission, DG XIII. Kick-off events have been held by the MIDAS-NET nodes, in each EU country as well as in Norway and Iceland, during the first half of 1997. Over 2,500 people have attended the 15 held so far, and these have attracted considerable local and national press coverage. In addition, a number of these kick-off events were attended by government ministers from the countries concerned, raising the profile of the INFO2000 programme, and improving cooperation possibilities between Community and national activities. MIDAS-NET is also establishing contacts and synergies with other EU-wide networks, including the Euro Info Centres, the Business and Innovation Centres Network (EBN), and the European Patent Office's network. MIDAS-NET will participate in the European Information Society Awareness Week, in October 1997. The 23 nodes from MIDAS-NET have already planned a total of almost 1000 events during 1997. These include courses, workshops and seminars, all tailored to the needs of the target group, particularly SMEs. User groups in business and industry are being established to demonstrate the potential of multimedia and spread best practice. In addition, the vast majority of nodes have established World Wide Web sites to disseminate information on multimedia in their local language(s). These sites are linked to I'M Europe, DG XIII's Web site, allowing high levels of interaction and interconnection.