Only five years ago few people outside the academic world knew what the internet was. Now, millions are surfing the web. Change is all around us, at an unprecedented pace. I believe that we are on the verge of a fundamental breakthrough in human evolution. It is evident that research is playing an important role in the process of change that we see all around us.
Research creates new opportunities.
And these are only a few of the new problems. The European Union recognizes the signs of the time and is getting ready for the challenges of the new information society with its 5th Framework Programme that is about to start.