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Weekly Issue - 13 October 2011

Latest News

PRESS RELEASE

(13 October 2011) The transition to digital technology stands to revolutionise access to information and transform the publishing industry, European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes said in a speech at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Noting that books support society, she stressed the opportunities that new trends like the emergence of e-books offer with the potential appearance of many new business models for different types of reader. By embracing the digital transition the creative sector, including publishing, can help achieve "the common goal of promoting and protecting Europe's cultural strengths". Kroes set out various policy issues, such as online libraries, copyright, VAT rates for e-Books, the treatment of orphan works and the possibility of making e-books interoperable between devices, benefiting openness, freedom and choice. But she expressed her view that even in the electronic age, books would remain: "The temptations of the tweet and the immediacy of the Internet will not replace, but complement, the satisfaction of submersion in a good long read."

PRESS RELEASE

European Commission proposes an optional Common European Sales Law to boost trade and expand consumer choice

(11 October 2011) Despite the success of the EU's Single Market, barriers to cross-border trade remain. Many of these result from divergent sales laws between the 27 Member States. They make selling abroad complicated and costly, especially for small firms. Traders who are dissuaded from cross-border transactions due to contract law obstacles forgo at least EUR 26 billion in intra-EU trade every year. Meanwhile, 500 million consumers in Europe lose out on greater choice and lower prices because fewer firms make cross-border offers, particularly in smaller national markets.

PRESS RELEASE

High-level group to discuss freedom and pluralism of the media across the EU

(11 October 2011) A high-level group to provide recommendations for the respect, protection, support and promotion of media freedom and pluralism in Europe has been convened by European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes. The group, which will be fully independent, will be chaired by the former President of Latvia, Professor Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

PRESS RELEASE

Commission pushes for effective deployment of pan-European mobile satellite services

(10 October 2011) The European Commission today adopted a decision which would allow it to coordinate the efforts of EU Member States to accelerate the commercial deployment of pan-European Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) and, if need be, to adopt appropriate enforcement measures. Mobile satellite services use radio spectrum to provide access to communication services, such as Internet access, mobile multimedia/radio and emergency services for all Europeans, however remote the area in which they live. The Commission has taken this decision following the expiry of a two-year period which two operators, Inmarsat Ventures Limited and Solaris Mobile Limited, were given to deploy mobile satellite services systems across Europe.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Workshop on European Smart Grid projects

17 October 2011 Crowne Plaza Le Palace, Brussels

This workshop is organised by the European Commission (DG ENER, INFSO and RTD) under the 2nd IEEE Int. Conference on Smart Grid.

NEWS ARTICLE

Survey on guidelines for public procurement of ICT goods and services

(13 October 2011) The European Commission is gathering information from public bodies and ICT suppliers on the purchasing of ICT goods and services. This will be an important input to the development of guidelines to help ICT procurers to purchase ICT based on standards that are accessible across the supplier market. This will promote competition and avoid inefficient supplier dependence. If you are involved in public procurement, you are invited to fill in the survey. It will take no more than 20 minutes to complete.

Contact: infso-st@ec.europa.eu

NEWS ARTICLE

The European Disability Forum's toolkit on the Telecoms Package

(12 October 2011) EDF presents its Telecoms Package Toolkit to support the efforts to bring a real change for persons with disabilities to equally access e-communications. This Toolkit lists the provisions related to e-accessibility for persons with disabilities in the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services (the Telecoms Package) and gives insights on how they could be understood to enable a full and common understanding throughout the EU. This toolkit is primarily targeted at EDF member organizations to enhance their capacity in following up on the transposition into national legislation and the implementation of the Telecoms Package; but, it could also be useful to anyone who wishes to better understand the disability-related provisions in the Telecoms Package. The toolkit is available on alternative format upon demand.

Contact: Nadege Riche, EDF Policy Officer

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Future Internet Week

24 October 2011 - 28 October 2011 Poznan, Poland

Many Future Internet events will take place during the Future Internet Week in Poznan, Poland from 24-28 October. Check on the website and register!

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

The Wireless Paradox: energy efficient radiation

18 October 2011 Leuven, Belgium

Wireless communication has been widely adopted, despite the growing public concerns about the impact on human health of exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Engineers can contribute to the debate by designing innovative solutions that reduce the radiation to levels as-low-as-technologically-achievable (ALATA principle). In this workshop, researchers will present the latest innovations towards energy efficient radiation, including eco-antennas, green radios, and smart networking solutions. The rules and regulations for electromagnetic radiation will be discussed. Telecom operators will be asked to present their views.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Digital Preservation and Access to Cultural Resources: ICT Call 9 Information Day

15 November 2011 Luxembourg

The event addresses researchers interested in submitting project proposals to the 9th ICT call under FP7, objectives ICT-2011.4.3 "Digital Preservation" and 8.2 "Access to Cultural Resources". The information day aims at helping participants to better understand the work programme and criteria for the evaluation of proposals, to facilitate sharing of ideas and experiences, and to meet potential partners for project consortia.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

European Commission officials visit member states to present the Digital Agenda for Europe

17 October 2011 - 21 October 2011

From 17 to 21 October, European Commission officials will participate in events organised in Finland and the United Kingdom in order to present to stakeholders and the public the Digital Agenda for Europe. This week's events will focus on eIdentification and eSignatures, eInvoicing and trade registers, interoperability frameworks and access to information in the EU, rural broadband investment opportunities and advantages, ICT research and innovation prospects and interests. The visits are part of the Going Local exercise, run by the European Commission for the second year in a row, in order to foster a public dialogue on the Digital Agenda goals.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Digital by Default - A revolution in public service delivery

1 December 2011 London, United Kingdom

Technology has a central role to play in the reform of the public sector, offering more innovative and individualised services. This event aims to provide essential information on how public sector organisations can deliver efficient, cost-effective public services that are responsive to the needs of citizens and businesses.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Beyond Silos - The Why and How of ICT in Integrated Care Service Provision

23 November 2011 Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Today's healthcare and social care services are usually delivered independently, leading to inefficiencies, duplication of resources or reduced levels of quality of care. Older people are particularly affected by this situation since they often need both types of services, such as support with daily living activities and chronic disease management. ICT has the potential to support integrated service delivery to achieve high quality independent living and wellbeing for older people across Europe and elsewhere. Against this background, the conference will look beyond today's care silos at strategies, processes and business models to reach this goal.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

4th Annual ACT Conference - Creation, Competitiveness and Consumers

9 November 2011 Brussels, Belgium

This event is organised by the Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT), a trade association representing the interests of the commercial broadcasting sector in Europe. Policy-makers and industry representatives will gather to discuss about the latest developments in television.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Trust in the information society - In search of Trust Generating Mechanisms for the Network Society

14 November 2011 - 15 November 2011 Leuven, Belgium

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Law and ICT (ICRI) at K.U.Leuven is organizing an international conference on "Trust in the Information Society". The goal of the conference is to advance the reflection and debate about trust-generating mechanisms in the Information Society. Through a series of thought-provoking lectures delivered by leading experts from various disciplines -law, economics, engineering, computer science, social and cultural studies- the conference intends to confront different insights and to explore new routes and tools - legal and non-legal - to generate more trust in networked, digital information and communication technologies that are shaping modern society.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

ePIC 2012 - 10th International ePortfolio and Identity Conference

9 July 2012 - 11 July 2012 London, United Kingdom

Over the last ten years, considerable effort has been invested in the development of ePortfolio technologies and practice. To further developments in this field, the main goal of this conference is to offer a forum where researchers and practitioners can discuss theoretical aspects, open issues, and innovative approaches and share the latest advances in the state of the art and practices in this area.

New in the Library

ARTICLE

The Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme: ICT hand in hand with social innovation

In this interview published by Insight publisher (www.projects.eu.com) two of the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme's most senior figures, Lena Gustafsson, President of the AAL's Association and Silas Olsson, acting Director of the AAL's central management unit in Brussels, provide a unique insight into the work being done to develop ICT solutions to help our growing older population in Europe live longer, independent, active and healthy lives.

SPEECH

Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda

Caring about caring

Meeting of the European Parliament Interest Group on Carers, European Parliament, Brussels, 11 October 2011

BROCHURE

ICT for Societal Challenges

11 October 2011

Thanks to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)it will be possible in the future to provide all citizens, regardless of their location, with better and personalised healthcare, achieving at the same time relevant cost savings for patients and the society at large. Citizens and business' interactions with public authorities will be faster and more effective, also across the borders. A greater number of people will be able to live safely and independently, and those from disadvantaged groups will be able to get fully involved in society. Last but not least, ICT will help tackling environmental issues, such as energy saving, in the perspective of a sustainable growth. This booklet lists projects that illustrate these benefits and show the strong potential in addressing and solving societal challenges.

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