EU Policy Areas
Information Society
The European Union’s Information Society policy aims to create
a digitally enhanced EU. The current ambitions of the Information Society
are found in the eEurope 2001-2005 action plan. The key objectives of
eEurope are:
• Bringing every citizen, home and school, every business and
administration into the digital age and online
•
Creating a digitally literate Europe, supported by an entrepreneurial
culture ready to finance and develop new ideas
•
Ensuring the whole process is socially inclusive, builds consumer trust
and strengthens social cohesion
The EU is striving to reduce social exclusion, increase employment and boost the economy via the information sector. The increase of use of information communication technology (ICT) will be facilitated by the increase in availability of information technologies in remote rural areas and increased training in schools in order to minimise computer illiteracy.
2005 is the final year of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan (http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/index_en.htm) and will provide a good opportunity to consider how European Information Society policy should evolve over the next five years if the EU is to reach its “Lisbon Goals” by 2010.
The eEurope 2005 action plan will be replaced by the “i2010: European Information Society 2010” initiative which aims to foster growth and jobs in the information society and media industries. i2010 aims to encourage the development of the digital economy: regulatory instruments, research and partnerships with industry. It will particularly promote high-speed and secure broadband networks offering rich and diverse content in Europe. Further information can be found at: