Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on e-Inclusion
Date: 2008-04-09
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: cooperation policy, digital technology, economic and social cohesion, equal treatment, information policy, information society, information technology, regional and local authorities

C 172/12

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

5.7.2008

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on ‘e-Inclusion’

(2008/C 172/03)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

— expresses its conviction that a lasting digital divide causes social and economic exclusion. Achieving
equal opportunities in terms of digital access and skills is a social necessity; at the same time, it also
offers yet untapped economic potential. It is important to use ICT as a new ‘social instrument’, linking
ICT strategies to Community social policy;

— calls upon Member States to step up their efforts on e-Inclusion and to draw up programmes which
are specific, of well-defined duration and easy to evaluate. It emphasises participation at local and
regional level in national and EU initiatives on e-inclusion and believes that it is important to stress
that local and regional authorities draw up specific plans for promoting the information society at
local level;

— supports efforts to raise public awareness, to increase the exchange of experience between stakeholders
and to ensure active cooperation at local and regional level, involving the ICT industry, public authori-
ties, service providers, user and social organisations,
in order to achieve the maximum possible
impact;

— emphasises the key role and responsibility of local and regional authorities in helping to ensure afford-
able broadband access in areas where the market fails, in providing leadership on pilot projects for
bridging the e-Accessibility gap, and in developing new approaches of citizen-centred public e-
services;

— emphasises the importance of education and training courses which are geared to the needs deriving
from the ongoing digital evolution of the whole of society, paying special attention to vulnerable
groups such as the elderly, economically inactive,
less educated people and those who have not
acquired the digital knowledge necessary for the workplace;

— calls upon the Commission to apply indicators on the regional distribution and use of ICT, to provide
a continuous source of conclusions which would be useful and necessary for adopting measures to
bring about socio-economic and technological convergence between the regions.

5.7.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 172/13

Rapporteur: Mr SZALAY (HU/ALDE), Municipal Councillor, Veszprém

Reference document

Communication from the Commission on the ‘European i2010 initiative on e-Inclusion — To be part of
the information society’

COM (2007) 694 final

Policy recommendations

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

1.
is committed to promoting and implementing sustainable
social and economic cohesion, and therefore welcomes the
European Commission's communication on the European i2010
initiative on e-Inclusion — ‘To be part of the information society’,
which promotes e-inclusion and provides it with a new impetus.
As in the case of applying, using and developing information
and communication technologies (ICT), the absence of such
technologies also has a spill over effect, resulting in a constant
widening and deepening of the digital divide;

welcomes

the concise nature and the clarity of

2.
the
Commission's analysis in its Communication and of the stra-
tegic framework for action based on it. The CoR approves the
intention to pursue a EU-wide approach to the issue (1);

3.
agrees with the statement that e-inclusion is a key enabler
of the goals of economic and social progress of the i2010 initia-
tive (2) to develop an information society for growth and jobs,
and thus of the Lisbon agenda;

4.
shares the view that investment in ICT provides local and
regional players as well as municipalities with an important tool
which they can use to deal with equal opportunities related
problems in various areas; draws attention to the importance of
actively involving regions and local and regional authorities in
the preparation of strategies and programmes to obtain and use
EU funding, given that they operate at the level which is closest
to citizens, deal directly with local concerns and are sensitive to
emerging needs;

5.
appreciates that the document identifies areas for clear
action and specific tasks for the various actors concerned with
e-Inclusion — individual users, the ICT industry, service provi-
ders, public authorities and NGOs;

notes the initiative's support

6.
for various proposals for
practical measures to develop an equitable information society
set out in previous CoR opinions, on subjects such as ageing in

(1) CdR 252/2005 fin.
(2) COM(2005) 229 final.

the information society (3), bridging the broadband gap and e-
government (4),
the demographic future of Europe (5),
ICT
research (6), and the situation of persons with disabilities (7);

acknowledges that current indicators point to a risk of not
7.
achieving the Riga targets by 2010. Efforts by the Member
States remain fragmented and cooperation is lacking. The
Committee therefore calls on the Member States to step up their
efforts and, in future years, to draw up programmes which are
specific, of well-defined duration and easy to evaluate;

8.
feels that it is important to emphasise participation at
local and regional level in national and EU initiatives on e-inclu-
sion, given that this is the level where the most innovative and
appropriately targeted measures to implement a digital society
for all are possible;

it

believes that

is important

9.
local and
regional authorities draw up specific plans for promoting the
level,
Information Society, and digital development at
through the implementation of ‘Digital Local Agendas’;

to stress that

local

asks the Commission to involve the CoR fully in initia-
10.
tives to revise the agreed strategy once it has been implemented;

wishes to be informed of the results and conclusions of
11.
the interim evaluation report on implementation of the i2010
strategy, which should be made known in good time, and to
give its views on them;

welcomes the European Commission's ‘e-Inclusion, be
12.
part of
it’ campaign planned for 2008, which received a
substantial initial boost from the CoR's seminar on promoting
e-inclusion at local and regional level, held in December 2007
in Lahti, Finland. The CoR would like to play an active part in
the 2008 campaign and to help ensure that participation in
public consultation is as wide-ranging as possible. In connection
it would emphasise its own role as a provider of
with this,
impetus through the development of campaigns, strategies and
programmes at local and regional level;

(3) CdR 84/2007 fin.
(4) CdR 272/2006 fin.
(5) CdR 341/2006 fin.
(6) CdR 155/2005 and CdR 150/2005 fin.
(7) CdR 312/2003 fin.

C 172/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

5.7.2008

13.
welcomes the holding of a ministerial conference on e-
inclusion in late 2008, and the presentation of a European e-
Inclusion award at the conference. Stresses its willingness to
take part in the work of organising the conference, including
selection of candidates for the European e-Inclusion award;

expresses its conviction that a lasting digital divide stands
14.
in the way of creating and maintaining social cohesion and
prosperity, and causes social and economic exclusion; the i2010
initiative will help to improve the quality of life for individuals
and society in general;

15.
agrees that achieving equal opportunities in terms of
digital skills is a social necessity; at the same time, it also offers
enormous and as yet untapped economic potential;

Bridging the broadband gap

16.
suggests that the Commission pay special attention to
the less economically developed regions, so that they can make
use of the opportunities for effective convergence offered by ICT
and can avoid the risks of exclusion;

confirms its commitment

17.
to active incorporation of
objectives relating to an inclusive information society into
regional development plans, and to playing an effective part in
the Regions for economic change (8) networks;

agrees with the European Commission that EU structural
18.
and rural development funds must support efforts to improve
broadband infrastructure and the development and use of elec-
tronic services, especially in remote and rural areas, thus redu-
cing the disparities in the development
town and
country;

levels of

feels

that access

19.
to broadband at affordable prices
throughout the EU is a basic prerequisite for guaranteeing the
quality of public services, promoting competitiveness and
productivity in the areas concerned, and enabling extensive
development of the information society and knowledge;

20.
emphasises the key role and responsibility of local and
regional authorities in view of their involvement in providing
various services and educational facilities and of their closeness
to citizens; they can therefore help to ensure affordable broad-
band access in areas where market mechanisms are insufficient
on their own. Measures by local and regional authorities can
serve as examples of user-centred e-government solutions to
promote digital literacy and ensure conditions which are condu-
cive to business and research activities in the ICT field;

21.
stresses that one of the main focuses of the modernisa-
tion objectives of European cohesion policy for 2007-2013 is
on making Member States, regions and cities more attractive
through accessibility and the provision of services which are of

(8) COM(2006) 675 final.

an adequate standard;
that developing e-government
services supports these efforts, and helps to enrich knowledge
by stimulating research and innovation capacities;

feels

22.
recalls that ICT are a key factor for improving coordina-
tion and cooperation in various fields between local, regional
national and European authorities, and between them and Euro-
pean citizens;

Bridging the e-Accessibility gap

for

calls

referring to the Amsterdam Treaty, which prohibits
23.
accessible public
disability-related discrimination,
websites, and notes that much work still needs to be done
before this objective can be achieved,
judging by the current
situation; emphasises that regions and municipalities can help to
remedy these problems, not only by purchasing, developing and
providing the requisite products and services, but also by
encouraging the emergence of an economic environment which
offers businesses better opportunities
for accessing larger
markets;
it may thereby be necessary for local and regional
authorities, also in large urban areas, to invest in ICT and infra-
structure expansion;

agrees with the European Commission that local and

24.
regional authorities must provide leadership on pilot projects;

25.
shares the view that those in charge of developing and
managing public services also need new competence building
programmes to enable implementation of the measures set out
in the action plan;

Tackling the digital competences gap

26.
feels that there is still a significant digital competences
gap, affecting, in particular, the elderly, economically inactive,
less educated people and those who have not acquired the
digital knowledge necessary for developing their digital skills in
the workplace

27.
welcomes the Commission's plan for 2008 to carry out
an EU-wide study on digital competences, and to provide
guidance on digital competences policy for the most vulnerable
groups by the end of 2008;

28.
emphasises the importance of education and training
courses which are geared to the needs deriving from the
ongoing digital evolution of the whole of society, paying special
attention to vulnerable groups;

agrees that the role and responsibility of authorities at all
29.
levels of government in helping to ensure digital skills is crucial,
and supports active participation and cooperation by industry
and social organisations in achieving this objective;

5.7.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 172/15

Modern public e-services

30.
ICT provide a major opportunity to improve public
services. The Committee agrees that developing and propagating
ICT could provide an opportunity for European cities to consoli-
date their role as drivers of development, centres of knowledge,
and genuine incubators of innovative services and associated
knowledge;

31.
feels that if the aim is to link development of ICT to
consolidation of the role played by European cities, it is above
all vital to strengthen the role of local and regional authorities,
enabling them to pursue strategies to preserve and promote
competitiveness;

emphasises

the importance of a new approach to
32.
providing citizen-centred public e-services, and draws attention
to the role of local and regional authorities, which are respon-
sible for developing such an approach. This is a task of particu-
lar relevance to remote, outermost and rural regions and island
communities where the socio-economic benefits of developing
ICT are vital for cohesion and offer the greatest added value;

recognises

that promoting e-inclusion at

local and
33.
regional levels can enhance the quality of life, boost participa-
tion in local community life, and act as a catalyst for competi-
tiveness, business start ups, and the development of better, more
effective and more personalised public and private services;

34.
calls for the reinforcement and new impetus to be given
to prevent, tackle and resolve network and information security
problems in good time, a task which is promoted by the Euro-
pean Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA);

ICT solutions for the socially disadvantaged and groups at risk of
exclusion

the

35.
in anticipation of demographic change, feels that it is
desirable and necessary to put in place and develop conditions
for telemedicine (9); this can help to improve healthcare and
support
enjoying an
elderly in living independently,
enhanced quality of life and integrating into society, so that it
can benefit from their accumulated experience and knowledge.
In addition, more widespread use of ICT might help to enhance
existing ICT-based health services and facilitate the establish-
ment of new products and services, thereby helping to improve
people's overall health, give them better access to public health
services, and generate long-term savings in the costs of social
security systems;

36.
taking into account the needs of the market, emphasises
the importance of developing and providing products and
services which meet the actual needs of those concerned; In
view of this, calls for the alignment of divergent regulatory
systems and, with regard to technologies, advocates using main-
stream solutions;

recommends that ICT services for the elderly be given

37.
greater emphasis in the Regions for economic change initiative;

welcomes the emphasis in research programmes (the
38.
Seventh
Support
Programme,
Programme) on e-inclusion as a means of addressing ageing and
disability issues;

Framework

Policy

ICT

continues to point out the need to maintain cultural and

39.
linguistic diversity;

40.
points out the need for digitalisation of the written Euro-
pean cultural heritage so that it can be preserved for future
generations. This effort must be made in all languages, for all
regions and for all countries of Europe (10);

Integrating e-Inclusion actions to maximise lasting impact

places particular emphasis on close professional coopera-

41.
tion and partnership between stakeholders;

42.
stresses that consistent and coordinated dismantling of
regulatory, technical and other barriers is crucial if e-Inclusion is
to be fully sustainable and effective;

emphasises

the need for

43.
involvement by local and
regional authorities not only in the implementation of strategies,
but also in their formulation; this will help to ensure close
contacts and communication with stakeholders and to make
programmes more effective;

strongly supports the approach advocated by the Euro-
44.
pean Commission to increasing the volume and quality of ICT
research in Europe. Besides research and development, emphasis
is also needed on mechanisms to promote the dissemination of
specific research findings throughout European industry;

is pleased that rich information content, interoperability
research

are priorities

transactions

for

45.
and security of
programmes;

46.
agrees with the importance of using ICT as a new ‘social
instrument’. To this end, ICT strategies must be linked to Com-
munity social policy;

(9) CdR 256/2004 fin.

(10) CdR 32/2006 fin.

C 172/16

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

5.7.2008

47.
emphasises the need to develop fundamental measures in
areas which are horizontal priorities to promote equal opportu-
nities (e.g. making public websites universally accessible, devel-
oping broadband infrastructure); state intervention is essential
here;

48.
acknowledges that an EU-level policy on e-Inclusion
offers added value (coordination, cooperation, forum, partner-
ship, funding); agrees that there is a need for greater transpar-
ency in this field and for increased awareness of social responsi-
bility;

49.
is in favour of a continuous and wide-ranging exchange
of information, best practices and experience between stake-
holders; also supports efforts to raise public awareness and
ensure active cooperation at local and regional level; such coop-
eration should involve the ICT industry, public authorities,
public and private service providers, and organisations repre-

Brussels, 9 April 2008.

senting end users, in order to achieve the maximum possible
impact;

also feels that

to create an EU-wide
is important
50.
regional network which could be used to give regions more and
better opportunities to participate in collaborative projects.

it

emphasises that e-inclusion is a triple-win situation in

51.
that it benefits industry, users and society as a whole;

52.
recommends that the Commission promote the formula-
tion and application of indicators for comparative representation
and evaluation of the regional distribution and use of ICT, to
provide a continuous source of conclusions which would be
useful and necessary for adopting measures to bring about
socio-economic and technological convergence between the
regions.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Luc VAN DEN BRANDE