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Information and Communication Technologies Partnership |
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[ICT services homepage ] [What is the ICT Partnership]
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Information and Communication Technologies Partnership |
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About 25 associations of users, vendors and ICT-professionals met in June and September of 1993 in Brussels to discuss this issue with the European Commission (DG III and DG XIII). The participants of these two meetings agreed on four practical conclusions. They are summarized below and are fully documented in this information package.
The participants also believed that these conclusions can be shared by many other associations which were not present at the meetings, but should be able to join the common initiatives. There are approximately 250 associations with ICT interests in Europe and many more in other regions of the world. Only a representative sample of European and international associations could meet for a practical discussion, but it is now time to submit the results to all interested associations. This is the purpose of this information package.
The four results to be shared with all associations wishing to join are:
All participants agreed on the document "User involvement in ICT Policy" which analyses the situation of ICT users and
their future role. It also sets out the ways and means to improve the cooperation between the various ICT actors: users,
vendors and Commission services.
The participants also decided to cooperate. They agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding called "A Partnership in
ICT" specifying the principles guiding such cooperation. This document is open to signature to all interested associations. If you
wish to become a Subscribing Party, a straightforward procedure is outlined later. To date, approximately thirty associations
have signed the MoU.
The Commission will fully support the associations in the implementation of the Memorandum (as set out in the corresponding
letter). This is in line with the two recent communications of the Commission on "An open and structured dialogue between the
Commission and special interest groups" (93/C 3/02) and on "Increased transparency in the work of the Commission" (93/C
63/03)
Furthermore, the participants decided to launch eight specific Round Table meetings.