The European
Commission's ‘A Digital Agenda for Europe' has just been published. The Agenda,
once implemented, will greatly contribute to Europe's economic growth and to
the new digital era for all European citizens.
A lack of digital literacy and e-skills together with substandard innovation
and research efforts being carried out are just some of the seven obstacles identified.
After each obstacle the Agenda includes ‘key actions' that the Commission,
Member States, and stakeholders will undertake to tackle the problem. Providing
funding for digital literacy initiatives through the European Social Fund is
one solution, encouraging every government in Europe to develop long-term
digital literacy policies is another. Developing a European Framework for
Professionalism by 2012 is also proposed along with promoting higher
participation among young women in ICT related jobs and careers.
The principal goals of the Digital agenda will include the
following:
- Create a Digital Single Market
- Boosting internet trust and security
- More investment in research and development
- Enhancing digital literacy skills and inclusion
- Apply information and communications technologies to address challenges like climate change and the ageing population
The main objective of the Digital Agenda is to guide Europe in the right direction to maximise the social and economic potential of ICT and create a successful and sustainable knowledge economy.
Click here to view the Digital Agenda