Third EU-CEEC Information Society Forum creates high level business and political dialogue
The Third EU-CEEC Information Society Forum brought together some 200 politicians, industrialists and researchers in Brussels on 9 and 10 October 1997 to continue discussions on extending the Information Society to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The Forum took stock of progress towards the development of the Information Society in the CEECs, and called for efforts to be maintained. Its primary task is to build support at the highest levels in the political and business communities for the establishment of the Information Society in the CEECs. The Forum is jointly organized by the European Commission, the European Parliament and 13 Central and Eastern European countries. A highlight was the presentation by Ministers from Estonia, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic of the results of working panels established at the previous Forum meeting in 1996. These covered areas such as formulating national policy and strategy, the role of pilot projects in developing the Information Society, and how information and communications technologies can be applied in education and public administrations. A report on the implementation of the action plan put forward by Commissioner Bangemann in 1996 was also presented. This shows that the CEECs have been successful in raising public awareness of the Information Society, and have made good progress with actions targeting public administrations and services. Whilst most of the CEECs see the Information Society as a political priority, participants agreed that there is still much to be done to bring the benefits of the Information Society to the citizens and economies of the CEECs. The Forum identified a number of immediate priorities: - The CEECs need to shape their national plans and strategies in line with EU activities; - Telecommunications liberalization needs to move forward in these countries; - Close consultation with industry is vital, with a level playing field for all industrial actors needed; - Improved education and training in subjects relevant to the Information Society is required to ensure a qualified labour force; - The Information Society can play an important role in improving transparency in government. The CEECs should therefore look closely at the available options; - The creation of a light and simple framework - a global charter - for the Information Society. A Ministerial event will be organized in 1999, to bring together representatives of EU and CEEC governments to follow up the progress of work stemming from the Forum.