Brussels, 14 November 2005
Research projects and knowledge are the basis for growth and jobs in Europe, Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner, noted today in Gothenburg, Sweden, during the conference “Towards a Knowledge Society – the Nordic Experience”. Danuta Hübner highlighted in her speech the central role which EU structural funds play in turning research knowledge into business ideas.
“In current EU Structural Funds programmes almost €6 billion (over 5% of funding) go to telecommunications infrastructures and information society activities and nearly €10 billion to research and innovation. In the future period this participation stand to increase substantially as “knowledge society” is one of the priorities of the strategic guidelines for 2007-2013” said Danuta Hübner and adding “it is encouraging to see how in Sweden and in Nordic countries in general, public services benefit from the use of electronic media. This creates targeted service provision, better suited to customers needs”.
The conference is jointly organized by the Regional Policy Directorate General, the Information Society and Media Directorate General of the European Commission and the region of West Sweden. It brings together delegates in particular from the 10 countries that joined the European Union in 2004 and it includes presentations and project visits to showcase how the Nordic countries have brought Knowledge Society research and business together.
Commissioner Hübner is also visiting the Lindholmen Science Park and she is taking part in the Gothenburg URBAN partnership forum. Visiting the
URBAN-project “Jalla Jalla”, Danuta Hübner praised the work being carried for adult education, social inclusion of young and unemployed people especially with an immigration background.
Background
“Towards a Knowledge Society – the Nordic Experience” takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden on 14 & 15 November 2005. The conference will be attended by over 250 delegates from across the 10 new Member States that joined the EU in 2004.
The three key themes of the conference are:
- Partnership for ICT development;
- eGovernment: modernization and innovation in the public sector; and
- development and usage of innovative clusters.
Lindholmen Science Park: Volvo: Vision zero traffic fatalities; Ericsson: Mobile Communication security services on Public networks
E-government in Romania; an Innovative Tax return system for everyone (Norway); The virtual customs office, e-government in practice by Swedish customs; Estonian eID.
Sahklgrenska academy ‘Medical hill’: The Vinnväxt programme, a national initiative to stimulate sustainable growth and innovation systems over the long term within strong clusters; Bio-medicine in West Sweden, a new innovation system for sustainable growth; AstraZeneca’s R&D site in the Götheborg region; the Scanbelt project for the creation of pan European clusters.
URBAN II is the Community Initiative of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for sustainable development in the urban districts in difficulties of the European Union for the period 2000-06.
As a follow-up to Urban I in 1994-99, Urban II aims more precisely to promote the design and implementation of innovative models of development for the economic and social regeneration of urban areas in difficulties. It will also strengthen information and experience-sharing on sustainable urban development in the European Union.
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/gothenburg_conference/index_en.htm
Item source: IP/05/1416 Date: 14/11/2005
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Further information:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/sources/docconf/gothenburg/index.cfm