Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the "Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual programme to stimulate the development and use of European digital content on the global networks and to promote the linguistic diversity in the Information Society"
Date: 2000-12-14
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: EU programme, information network, information society, international relations, multilingualism, multimedia

C 144/38

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16.5.2001

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the ‘Proposal for a Council decision adopting a
multiannual programme to stimulate the development and use of European digital content on
the global networks and to promote the linguistic diversity in the Information Society’

(2001/C 144/11)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual programme to stimulate the
development and use of European digital content on the global networks and to promote the linguistic
diversity in the Information Society COM(2000) 323 final — 2000/0128(CNS);

having regard to the decision taken by the European Commission on 12 July 2000, under the first
paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to consult the Committee
of the regions on this matter;

having regard to the decision taken by the President of the Committee of the Regions on 3 August 2000
to instruct Commission 7 ‘Education, Vocational Training, Culture, Youth, Sport and Citizens’ Rights’ to
draw up the relevant Opinion;

having regard to the COR Opinion on the Commission Green Paper: Public sector information: a key
resource for Europe Green Paper on public sector information in the information society (COM(1998)
585) (final CdR 190/99 fin) (1);

having regard to the COR Opinion on ‘INFO 2000’ (COM(95) 149 final) (CdR 22/96) (2);

having regard to the COR Opinion on the Communication from the Commission on the multilingual
information society and the Proposal for a Council Decision on the adoption of a multiannual programme
to promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the information society (COM(95) 486 final)
(CdR 220/96 fin) (3);

having regard to the draft opinion adopted by Commission 7 on 3 October 2000 (CdR 316/2000)
[rapporteur: Mr Aldo Iskra (SV-EPP)],

adopted the following opinion unanimously at its 36th plenary session on 13 and 14 December 2000
(meeting of 14 December).

1.

The Committee of the Regions’ views concerning
the proposed Decision

the information society can help to meet the need for content-
based products and services on the part of both the individual
citizen and society as a whole. The proposal intensifies the
drive to encourage new social groups to use the Internet.

1.1.
The Committee of the Regions welcomes the fact that
the Commission continues to concentrate on the scope for
personal and social development offered by the Internet
revolution.

1.2.
The Committee of the Regions takes the view that
the proposal for a multiannual Community programme to
stimulate the development and use of European digital content
on the global networks and to promote linguistic diversity in

The Committee of the Regions takes the view that
1.3.
linguistic and cultural customisation of
information and
transactions is important from the economic viewpoint, but
also in employment terms. Through linguistic diversity on the
large segments of the European public will have
Internet,
greater access to the aids offered by the information society.
Increased access reduces costs for both producer and consumer
as well as creating the conditions for entrepreneurship and
new job opportunities.

(1) OJ C 57, 29.2.2000, p. 11.
(2) OJ C 129, 2.5.1996, p. 39.
(3) OJ C 337, 11.11.1996, p. 45.

1.4.
The Committee of the Regions stresses that a large part
of Europe’s population has been bypassed by the Internet

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revolution. Apart from inadequate linguistic knowledge, there
are many other factors contributing to this ‘deprivation’, such
as a lack of computers, a low level of basic education,
underdeveloped technical skills, or mental, physical and social
handicaps. Use of the Internet is highly generation-linked, and
this factor must be taken into account. Some generations run
the risk of not benefiting at all from the possibilities offered by
the ‘Internet society’. The speed of change in the Internet field
is very rapid, and differences between users could increase
dramatically.

1.5.
The Committee of the Regions takes the view that
today’s new challenges must be met by being able to draw on
new platforms and tools. Networks must be developed where
local and regional authorities work in partnership with entrep-
reneurs, business and individual citizens. The accessibility of
the Internet must increase through more people having access
to computers but also through user support. Acceptance of
linguistic diversity would make it easier for many who
currently see themselves as strangers to the Internet world. It
is also important
in the
public sector, as well as from entrepreneurs and voluntary
associations.

to have help from expert staff

1.6.
The Committee of the Regions feels that the commit-
ment of local and regional authorities is essential for achieving
progress in the effort to increase the interfaces between actors
in the public sector and Internet entrepreneurs. Horizontal
rather than hierarchical work models must be chosen. To work
openly and flexibly is also important for encouraging new
target groups to use the Internet.

1.7.
The COR believes that in looking at the issue of access
to public sector information one must begin by looking at
what information the consumer/citizen requires.

User-friendly and readily available administrative, legislative,
financial or other public information enables economic actors
to make fully informed decisions.

2.2.
The COR in its Opinion on INFO 2000 stressed that
effective creation and exploitation of multimedia technology
in public sector communication with citizens and businesses
can help sharpen the competitive edge of small businesses on
national and international markets. This can also improve
access of citizens to public sector information: an essential
aspect in promoting a participatory civil society which should
continue to be focused upon.

2.3.
The Committee of the Regions wishes to encourage
the creation of local and regional steering groups consisting of
local entrepreneurs, technicians, artists and teachers. Such
‘spearheads’ working at local and regional levels could identify
local and regional actors in the Internet field and bring together
people with ideas, language skills and entrepreneurial capacity.
Dialogue with potential providers of funds is essential and
should therefore be initiated at an early stage.

2.4.
The COR supports the Commission’s proposal for
experiments started under INFO 2000 to be accelerated and
expanded to provide good practice, these should in particular
involve local and regional authorities.

The Committee of the Regions would like attention to
2.5.
be focused on a number of European ‘pilot cases’ and resources
to be invested in the creation of prototypes which can operate
partly as information centres and partly as catalysts of similar
processes. Such a selection process presupposes exhaustive
‘mapping’ which can effectively show measurable results and
statistically supported effects.

The Committee of the Regions takes the view that
1.8.
measures in the Internet field which boost accessibility, raise
skills and advance knowhow among individual citizens also
encourage social dialogue and thereby also strengthen democ-
racy.

The COR recommends that

2.6.
the establishment of
European data collections should be supported. The COR
notes that the absence of datasets at European level constitutes
one of the barriers to the exploitation of the content potential.

2.

The Committee of the Regions’ recommendations
concerning the proposed Decision

2.7.
The COR welcomes the proposal for applications of
language technology to be promoted among the adminis-
trations of Member States. This should be strongly supported
in particular in local and regional authorities.

Stimulating the exploitation of public sector information

2.1.
The COR notes that new technologies facilitate the
collection, storage, processing and retrieval of information.

2.8.
The COR underlines that given the type of information
which local and regional authorities collect, privacy for the
individual and personal data protection is paramount and
must continue to be so. A balanced scheme is required under
any moves to increase access to public sector information,
particularly where local and regional authorities are involved.

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2.9.
The Committee of the Regions stresses the importance
of public authorities presenting information on the Internet,
and adjusting announcements and payment messages to
Internet practices.

2.16.
The COR believes that supporting linguistic cus-
tomisation of digital products and services will add to the
export potential of European content firms.

2.10.
give disabled people access to the Internet.

The COR would emphasise how important it is to

The COR underlines the importance of the principle
2.11.
that increasing public access to Internet should not lead to the
imposition of excessive administrative or economic burdens
on local or regional authorities.

2.12.
The COR emphasises the need for transparency and
the importance of information which is free (i.e. provided free
of charge) to the greatest possible extent. Access to information
is of prime importance in the construction of the information
society. Consequently it is essential for the role of the public
sector, and more specifically that of libraries, to be taken into
account.

There exists a rich stock of information collections in
2.13.
museums,
libraries, copyright and patent deposit systems,
educational and training bodies, historical archives and archi-
tectural and industrial objects. Many of these collections are
still in analogue form but are gradually being digitised. The
INFO 2000 programme aimed at mobilising these digital
collections for exploitation by the private sector. While the
COR has supported this goal, it believes that the commercial
exploitation may also come from the public sector as well as
the private sector. However, the COR stresses the need to
ensure that the public authorities’ role of distributing free
information is not compromised.

Enhancing linguistic and cultural customisation

2.17.
The proposed actions constitute a follow-up to
actions carried out under the MLIS programme adapted to an
increasingly digital environment. Special attention will be
given to SMEs and start ups and to less widely spoken EU
languages and languages of potential new Member States. The
COR strongly supports this action line. It stresses that since
local and regional government is the level of government
closest to SMEs and has developed economic development
strategies to encourage the formation and growth of SMEs,
their contribution in this area should be recognized.

2.18.
The COR notes the need for a solid base linguistic
infrastructure, networked and readily available, that can facili-
tate the customisation work in all phases of the process. The
European Commission aims to establish an open framework
comprising standardised and interoperable multilingual
resources encompassing e.g. electronic lexicons, corpora,
translation memories and terminology collections. These
resources will be pooled together to yield accessible repositori-
es. The COR stresses that access to, and promotion of the use
of, such an infrastructure should involve in particular local
and regional authorities.

2.19.
The COR takes the view that initiatives to train
teachers and librarians in Internet techniques are of decisive
importance.

The COR wishes to draw attention to the possibility
2.20.
of recruiting interpreters and translators from deprived urban
areas. By focusing on young and marginalised groups of
immigrants with language knowledge, new groups can be
reached and important skills can be acquired.

2.14.
The COR agrees with the European Commission that
linguistic differences slow down growth and may hamper
overall development of European industries linked to digital
content. Adequate support for multilingual and cross-cultural
information access and exchange is a key enabler for the
development of a European mass market for information
products and services. The COR calls on the European
Commission to recognise the acknowledged role of local and
regional authorities in promoting multilingual access.

2.15.
A strong concern of the COR is that the European
integration process should respect and preserve cultural diver-
sity upon which citizens’ sense of cultural identity is based.
The COR calls for local and regional authorities’ crucial role in
shaping and supporting the rich variety of cultures in the EU
to be recognized.

2.21.
The COR wishes to encourage the training of mentors
and ‘firebrands’ who in their turn can work in their associations
and at the workplace to foster a new attitude towards the
new media. As well as an understanding of the Internet’s
possibilities, this should increase ‘customer skills’.

2.22.
The proposed actions will support partnerships
between digital content and language industries. Private and
public sector content providers and distributors will be
stimulated to make their products and services available in a
broader range of languages, IT vendors encouraged to provide
new tools and delivery channels. The COR maintains that this
is essential
the
proposal. The COR calls for local and regional authorities to
be involved in promoting partnerships and raising awareness
amongst all actors.

in order for effective implementation of

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2.23.
Given that fostering European linguistic solidarity
would have definite economic implications for those regions
lagging behind significantly in language terms, particularly
where tourism and product promotion are concerned, the
COR points out that the programme could in many regions be
used to strengthen already existing projects.

Venture capital availability to Internet entrepreneurs in the US
is estimated to be around 3-4 times higher than in Europe.
Access to risk capital needs and rights clearance process need
to be facilitated throughout the EU. The COR notes that small
scale enterprises encounter most difficulties in obtaining
necessary funding to evolve effectively.

Supporting market enablers

2.24.
The COR notes that investors are reluctant to provide
capital for medium term risk bearing projects and ventures.

The COR maintains that the prime responsibility for
2.25.
developing, investing in and exporting European content rests
with the digital content industries themselves. However, to
tackle the barriers and exploit the opportunities, the COR
welcomes the Commission’s proposal for supportive action at
EU level.

Brussels, 14 December 2000.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Jos CHABERT