Annexes to COM(2007)694 - European i2010 initiative on e-Inclusion "To be part of the information society" [SEC(2007) 1469] [SEC(2007) 1470] - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2007)694 - European i2010 initiative on e-Inclusion "To be part of the information society" [SEC(2007) 1469] [SEC(2007) 1470]. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2007)694  |
| date | November 8, 2007 |
Enhancing and sustaining impact through mainstreaming and co-ordination
-Industry, social organisations and public authorities must better co-ordinate their efforts on e-Inclusion, and are called upon to join forces in an open e-Inclusion partnership building on the existing cooperation. The Commission will continue to support organisations of users in stepping up their e-Inclusion efforts in co-ordination with the i2010 high-level group.
-Policy-makers at all levels are called upon to address the potential of ICT in social and economic policies, and conversely, to take into account social inclusion aspects, non discrimination principles and accessibility, in policy initiatives relating to ICT and in related impact assessments.
-The Commission in response to the European Parliament's call for initiatives on the digital rights of users 14 will clarify existing rights and obligations of consumers in the digital environment.
-The Commission will further contribute by promoting social inclusion in 2008 on the occasion of the review of i2010, of the communication on universal service of electronic communications and of the EU international strategy on the information society. It will also continue addressing ICT accessibility aspects, in the third phase of the Disability Action plan, for adoption by end 2007, and will follow-up on the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. The Commission is also conducting an impact assessment on possible measures to complement current EU anti-discrimination legislative framework based on Article 13 of the EU Treaty.
-Finally, the Commission will show the way by making the Europa web site more user-friendly, improving multi-lingualism and accessibility.
Improving understanding and comparing progress of e-Inclusion
-The Commission will improve monitoring and analysis of e-Inclusion, tracking progress towards the Riga targets on a yearly basis through a set of indicators (“Riga Dashboard”).
-The Commission will pursue surveys and studies amongst others on barriers for assistive technology, adaptive learning resources, e-Inclusion and social capital, social and economic impact of ICT, and perceptions of the information society.
4.Conclusions
The role of the information society for economic and social participation should be firmly put on Europe’s economic and social agenda. Reinforcing the Lisbon agenda, solidly based on i2010, and building on the Riga e-Inclusion Ministerial Declaration, this Communication presents a comprehensive e-Inclusion strategy, to take away the barriers in the information society itself, to maximise the contribution of ICT to economic and social inclusion and to stimulate business opportunities in this context.
The Commission now calls upon the European Parliament, Member States, regions and stakeholders to put words into action and make e-Inclusion a reality, with the support of the policy actions outlined in this Communication. These joint efforts will contribute to business opportunities and to achieve an accessible and inclusive information society in which each and every one of us can participate on equal terms.
(1) COM(2005)229.
(2) Riga Ministerial conference "ICT for an Inclusive Society"(11-13.6.2006).
(3) Based on feedback from the i2010 high-level group and the i2010 e-Inclusion subgroup, consultations with stakeholders, online public consultation, studies and impact assessment.
(4) E.g. see EICTA paper “Moving Towards a Fully Inclusive Digital Europe”
(5) Government COM(2006)173, ICT and ageing COM(2007)332, and e-skills COM(2007) 496.
(6) However, the Disability Action Plan (COM/2003/650) has since its launch addressed ICT.
(7) See reports from the INCOM-COCOM group on e-Accessibility EU legal provisions, and study "Measuring e-Accessibility in Europe".
(8) These are addressed in the Communication on Privacy Enhancing Technologies (COM (2007) 228).
(9) COM(2005)425.
(10) EESC opinion on Future eAccessibility legislation (TEN/295. 30 May 2007).
(11) COM(2006) 675 final.
(12) Recommendation by Council and Parliament 2006/962/EC.
(13) COM(2007) 332.
(14) Non-legislative Resolution on Consumer confidence in the digital environment (INI/2006/2048).