Search Disabled |
|
|
|
Search Options | Help | Site Map | Cultivate Web Site | ||||
|
|
|||||
| Home | Current Issue | Index of Back Issues |
| Issue 3 Home | Editorial | Features | Regular Columns | News & Events | Misc. | ||
By Torill Redse, Jorunn Hesjedal, Walter Koch and Karin Hafner - January 2001
Walter Koch, Karin Hafner, Torill Redse and Jorunn Hesjedal report on the Information Society Technologies conference held in Nice, France between 6th to 8th November 2000 where inclusion, elearning, globalisation and flexibility were the buzz words of the day. The conference looked at how the Information Society is effecting Europe and the how we can cope with the challenges it brings.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Building an information society for all is the ambition for
Europe, but how far have we come at the dawn of the 21st century?
Is the information society a real chance for everyone? Will it
strengthen competitiveness in Europe? What technological
challenges are at stake, and how should we change the rules to
support this process in a sustainable way?
These were some of the main themes underlying the IST 2000 conference in Nice on 6th to 8th November 2000. The annual IST-event, organised by the European Commission’s DG Information Society, brought together almost 2000 delegates from 80 different countries at the Nice Akropolis. In the course of three busy days, a variety of plenary sessions, round tables, exhibitions and prize awards shed light on the many activities under the IST programme. The conference offered an assessment of the achievements made so far, and addressed the central challenges for the future.
Representatives from EU, the French Government, and central persons from research and industry contributed to the programme. The opening session included speeches by the President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, the French Minister of Research, Roger-Gerard Schwartzenberg, President of the Inter-American Development Bank, Enrique V. Iglesias, and Commissioner Erkki Liikanen. All speakers emphasised the importance of ensuring development that will bridge the digital gap. Europe has come a long way, but the vision of an information society for all will not be achieved until all citizens, regardless of age, nationality and social standing share the opportunities offered by the rapid technological development. Everyone should be able to benefit from the new opportunities for easy access to information on the Internet, and take part in the new economy.
Building an information society for all is of course a technological and economic challenge, but it is also a human challenge. This was emphasised by all speakers in the session. Knowledge is as important as technology, and it is therefore vital to invest in human resources in primary, secondary and tertiary education, as well as in life long learning. It is also important to ensure a global approach. This was underlined by President Iglesias’ presentation of the Latin-American and Caribbean situation. Keywords for a successful development will be co-operation between countries and sectors, enhanced quality of research by inter-linking of networks and legislative initiatives that ensure a sustainable development.
Most of the questions raised in the opening session were further debated in the following sessions of the conference. A summary of the themes for each session, as well as many of the papers presented during the conference is available from the IST Nice Web site [1].
The importance of ensuring access to Internet resources and participation in the new economy for all citizens was further emphasised in the session about ”An Inclusive Information Society”. Strategies for enabling teachers and students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new technology and new pedagogical challenges related to e-learning was discussed in the three sessions devoted to education and e-learning. The goal is that all European schools shall have Internet access by 2001, and that all students shall be digitally competent by 2003. Knowledge is the key to a positive development, and is important to provide today’s youth, regardless of social, geographic and economic status, with the necessary skills to work and live in the digital age. Furthermore, lifelong learning becomes increasingly important in a rapidly changing technological society, and it is necessary to make it a political matter to ensure equal opportunities for all. If these issues are not taken seriously it could easily lead to the emergence of new social divides which might ultimately threaten the European democracy.
The focus on human resources, intelligence and skills was also central to the session about “The Information Society in Europe in 2020”. The speakers expect development to take place where the user would be in the foreground, and technology in the background, and where individually tailored products would replace collective solutions. Furthermore, they expect the world to become increasingly united as a result of improved access to new technological opportunities for communication and co-operation. The importance of avoiding different speeds in technology/economy and politics was stressed. Politicians must guide the development to ensure that “action is the sister of dream”. As Tony Davidson from IBM put it: “The easiest way to predict the future is to invent it”.
Looking ahead to the 6th framework programme, the session called “A policy for the research frontiers” concentrated on the possible public and private research policies responding to the scientific and technological challenges for the future. Like the speakers in the session about Europe in 2020, Vinton G. Cerf (the inventor of Internet) suggested that the challenges for the future were more political than technical. He emphasised that the management of Internet, and Internet security, will be one of the main challenges in the years to come. The importance of creating a global legal framework for the use of Internet was stressed by several of the speakers.
A global approach was also recommended for the research policy for the future. The speakers stressed that it is important to ensure a better co-ordination between national and central research policies. Researchers do not care about nationality and boarders, and the EU should not impose unnatural limitations on the research communities. The general opinion was that future research policies need to be more flexible and less bureaucratic, but still ensure a strong, unified approach.
The importance of flexibility, integration and a globalisation of politics and research was further emphasised by Robert Verrue, Director General of DG Information Society in the last session of the conference: ”The IST programme on the move”. Robert Verrue presented the five-year evaluation report from the IST Advisory Group, and the session addressed issues related to the implementation of the e-Europe intitative, the preparation of the IST workprogramme for 2001, and the plans for the sixth framework programme.
The year 2000 winners of the prestigious IST Prize award for innovation of groundbreaking products within European information technology were announced during the conference. The prize is organised by the European Council of Applied Sciences and Engineering (Euro-CASE), with the support and sponsorship of the IST- Programme. It provides public recognition and a highly visible profile of entrepreneurial teams that excel in generating and converting novel ideas and R&D into marketable products. 20 winners situated in France, Germany, Ireland, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Israel were selected by a group of 15 independent European experts. The group also selected three Grand prizewinners from the 20:
All Grand prizewinners received € 200 000 each.
The exhibition held during the IST 2000 Information Society Technologies Event presented science, technology and research from all over Europe and the rest of the world at over 160 stands. The exhibition represented the activities of the European Commission Directorate General Information Society. Around 70 IST projects demonstrated their results, the projects had been carefully selected to represent the depth and breadth of the IST Programme. At the Information stands more IST related initiatives, support actions and services were presented. The French Pavilion hosted key national research activities from the French government, industry and scientific community, the European Commission also had a stand and for relaxing people could turn to the @ Web`s Cyber Cafe. A full list of all the stands is available from the IST Nice Web site [2].
The IST-Projects were grouped into four sections:
eWork looks at new ways of interacting in the workplace as well as away from it. eSecurity explores security and privacy solutions. eBusiness looks at business-to-business and business-to-consumer issues within the expanding digital economy [3].
Beyond the Small explores cutting edge micro, nano and photonetic research. Essential Broadband and Mobile Infrastructure projects show the applications and services that enhance our quality of life and mobility. The Control and transport zone depicts a wide range of industrially oriented activities within the robotic, automotive and aerospace sectors. [4]
Visualisation and interaction in three or more dimensions is a challenging field with popular appeal. View the latest trends in Entertainment fuelled by the emergence of digital Content across multiple-media-platforms [5].
eHealth illustrates examples of how we can all benefit from improved methods and integrated approaches to healthcare. eAccess explores and expands the horizons of uniform accessibility for all members of society regardless of (dis)ability or age. eAdmin illustrates open access to public and other administrations within the society. The eLearning zone is an introduction to novel approaches to learning and training [6].
Over 20 Information Stands represented support activities related to the IST-Event and the IST programme, including start-up/SME support actions, the Investment Forum, partnership services, international organisations, standardisation bodies, networks and local/regional information centres. Specific projects directly supporting the eEurope Action Plan also showed their results [7].
The Newly Associated States are Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. These Countries are fully participating Partner countries within the IST Work Programme. Potential partner organisations within these countries cover a wide spectrum of interests within the IST Work Programme. This has been successfully demonstrated through participation in the first Calls for Proposals of the IST Programme. So far, over 300 organisations from these countries have been included in IST projects.
BULGARIA: The Bulgarian stand at IST 2000 demonstrated different facets of the Bulgarian Information Society, emphasising the use of new Information and Communication Technologies in everyone's life. Visitors were able to obtain information on the results of a number of EU-funded RTD projects.
CYPRUS: Cyprus was represented by the academic, private and public sectors. The stand demonstrated Cyprus' presence in the digital age, highlighting the growing influence if ICT applications and services in Cypriot society.
CZECH REPUBLIC: The stand featured demonstrations of CD-ROM: Czech Republic Contacts for IST co-operation and Processor ExpertTM (PE): Graphical easy-to-use user interface for modelling of embedded systems behaviour and for building complete communications applications (CAN, LIN). The project demonstrated its state-of-the-art technology using MCU development HW board-kit.
IP Cores: this project represents the current state-of-the-art technologies in designing complex integrated circuits using the IP (Intellectual Property) cores. For an Internet 3D presentation of Virtual Prague 2000-Euroepan City of Culture see the Web site [8].
ESTONIA: Estonia presented a number of national programmes in line with eEurope initiatives and innovative projects which contribute the development of the information society. Their general themes included the status of information technologies in Estonia (including a continuously updated directory of IST R&D entities in Estonia); Services for citizens (Overview of the main government and legal information resources available online) and Electronic commerce (electronic banking, new business models and security systems for computer networks. Also Multimedia in culture and education (a number of RTD projects in cultural heritage and language technologies were displayed) [9]
HUNGARY: The stand of Hungary included a series of short representations of selected projects implemented under different Hungarian R&D funding schemes in the field of information and communication technologies. Visitors were able to access databases that demonstrate research capabilities and project ideas. The stand was organised by the Research and Development Division of the Ministry of Education and offered contact possibilities with the representatives of the Hungarian R&D community present at the exhibition.
LATVIA: The stand demonstrated comprehensive aspects of Latvian IT research, education, software development applications as well as international co-operation including offers for collaboration from companies and organisations. Visitors obtained information on contacts and ongoing projects. Some of the participating organisations: Latvian Unversity, Riga Technical University, The Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Latvia, The Latvian Technological Center, Corporation "DATI", "TILDE" Ltd., Non-profit Public Foundation "Open Latvia".
THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA: A variety of projects, which are contributing to the development of the information society in Lithuania, were demonstrated on the stand. Representatives of the Association InfoBalt (Association of Information Technology, Telecommunications and Office Equipment Companies of Lithuania) were present and supplied stand visitors with information on the Information Technologies sector in Lithuania.
POLAND: The Technical University of Gdansk, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Chair of Sound Engineering presented the testing of hearing using a standard multimedia computer locally or via Internet. The Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center showed a bilingual (Polish, English) WAP service, which offers information about the city of Poznan.
ROMANIA: The stand featured demonstrated and documented the Information Society in Romania, themes of the featured demonstrations were: Public administration, GIS, Electronics, Education, Tourism. Participants: National Institute for R&D in Informatics - ICI, Institute for Automation - IPA-SA,
SLOVAKIA: The stand presented the Slovakian IST base, its potential and possibilities for collaboration at international level. Visitors were informed about collaboration possibilities with the Slovak Republic, potential Slovak partners (companies, RTD institutions, universities) - both technology providers and users. Also a variety of EC funded projects with participation of Slovak institutions and their results were presented on the stand during the exhibition [10].
SLOVENIA: Several organisations and companies were present on the Slovenian stand and demonstrated the following systems: a decision making tool which provides objective and unbiased evaluation; a Multimedia Slovene Language Dictionary for the Deaf; Lightning Monitor - a real-time system to track flash strokes in Slovenia; Health Insurance Smart Card System (a new citizen's electronic document) and Primary Physicians' Communication Network established by two regions in Slovenia and Hungary for exchange of routine messages. Sport Shoes Design Robot - bio-mechanical parameters are obtained by special equipment measuring movement; an information service for medicine.
Also represented in the international contributions area were Australia, Brazil, Canada, Malta, South Africa, Asia IT&C, EUMEDIS, EUROLAT-IS, China 2002, EURIDIS. The Commission has reached Scientific and Technical agreements with a number of countries outside the European Union in order to further international co-operation. the IST programme has concluded specific funding arrangements with several countries and agencies.
MALTA: Malta is currently in process of becoming fully associated to the Fifth Framework for Research and Technological Development and Maltese organisations are already in a position to join FP5 consortia. The Malta Council for Science and Technology is the national agency responsible for promoting and coordinating Malta's effective participation in FP5 and can put interested persons in contact with the relevant Maltese partner(s) for IST project proposals.
ASIA IT&C: The Asia IT&C (Information Technology and Communications) Programme is a recent European Community initiative established to co-finance projects in IT&C between European and Asian organisations. Eligible organisations from at least two European countries and one Asian country are welcome to submit Proposals prepared according to the Application Guidelines available on their site [11].
EUMEDIS: EU-Mediterranean Co-operation. EUMEDIS is a regional MEDA project for the development of the Euro-Mediterranean Information Society. The EUMEDIS projects are open to any private or public legal entities in one of the 12 Mediterranean partners of the Barcelona Political Dialogue: Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey [12].
EURIDICE: EU-Mediterranean Co-operation. Development of a Diving Navigation System: The EURIDICE Project Scuba-diving is one of the most promising activities for the development of Mediterranean maritime tourism, both for European and Developing Countries. Safety aspects still need to be improved, especially in the areas of the divers' navigation and prevention of accidents. The "Advanced Navigational System" relies on sophisticated signal processing technology.
EUROLAT-IS: EU-Latin American Co-operation. EUROLAT-IS is a Thematic Network supported by the European Commission under the Fifth Framework Programme, co-ordinated by Universidad Politècnica de Madrid (Spain), with the participation of the 15 European union Member States and the 19 Latin American countries. Its main objective is to stimulate Euro-Latin American collaboration in areas of application of Information Society Technologies (IST), undertaken by consortia of European and Latin American companies, universities and other institutions, in areas of importance for social and economic development in Latin America.
EU CHINA: EU CHINA 2002 is a co-operative event on the Information Society organised by the European Commission and the Chinese Authorities in Beijing in early 2002. The event will serve as a focal point to all European companies interested in Chinese markets and the rapid development of the Information Society in this country.
AUSTRALIA: The stand displayed Australia's research capabilities in information society technologies. Information about Australian companies, universities and research organisations was provided, to facilitate partnering between Australia and Europe in research and development. Many Europeans and Australians already have strong research links and are working together on joint projects [13].
BRAZIL: The Booth of Brazil brought together ICT stakeholders from government, research organisations and industry, which have expressed a keen interest in collaborating with European partners funded under the IST Programme. A number of Brazilian research projects was demonstrated on the stand, showcasing novel software and web-based applications.
CANADA: The Canada stand projected Canada's information society technologies and served as a point of contact for European researchers looking for potential Canadian partners.
For European R&D organisations entering into partnerships with Canadian organisations it means that research, technology development and demonstration results can be achieved faster, at a lower cost and reach more users in different markets and contexts.
ISRAEL: The Israeli Directorate for the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Union (ISERD) has been jointly established as a non-profit organisation, by the Ministries of Science, Culture and Sports, Industry and Trade, Finance, Foreign Affairs and the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education. ISERD was appointed to promote the participation of Israeli companies and of research institutions in the EU Fifth Framework Programme for RTD, with the aim of realising the inherent business potential of this programme [14].
SOUTH AFRICA: Information on South African participation in the European Union's Fifth Framework Programme, specifically the thematic programme on Information Society Technologies, was provided. The focus was on highlighting the many exciting opportunities for collaboration between European and South African researchers in the IST field, also beyond the present IST programme. The booth served as a contact point for European researchers looking for potential South African partners.
The IST Prize Village at the Exhibition displayed the products developed by each of the 20 Winners, featuring interactive demonstrations and an opportunity to meet some of the men and women behind these ideas[15].
The French Pavilion was organised by the Ministry of Research, the Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industry and the CFCE (French Export Institute). The French Pavilion included a selection of enterprises and national laboratories representing the vibrant technology sector of the Information Society in France [16].
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Torill Redse
Senior Adviser
Postboks 8046 Dep
N-0030 OSLO
Norway
Phone: (+47) 23 11 89 00
Fax: (+47) 23 11 89 01
Jorunn Hesjedal
Senior Executive Officer
Postboks 8046 Dep
N-0030 OSLO
Norway
Phone: (+47) 23 11 89 00
Fax: (+47) 23 11 89 01
Walter Koch
c/o CSC-Cultural Service Centre Austria
Hans-Sachs-Gasse 14/3
A-8010 Graz
Austria
Phone: +43(316)811210-0
Fax: +43(316)811210-30
kochw@cscaustria.at
<http://www.cultivate.at/>
Karin Hafner
c/o CSC-Cultural Service Centre Austria
Hans-Sachs-Gasse 14/3
A-8010 Graz
Austria
Phone: +43(316)811210-0
Fax: +43(316)811210-30
karin.hafner@cscaustria.at
<http://www.cultivate.at/>
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
For citation purposes:
Redse, T., Hesjedal, J., Koch, W. and Hafner, K. "IST 2000 NICE - The Information Society for All", Cultivate Interactive, issue
3, 29 January 2001
URL: <http://www.cultivate-int.org/issue3/nice/>
|
|