The European Commission’s i2010 strategy to develop a European information society is coming to a close this year. The EU consequently needs to adopt new guidelines on which to work for the period 2010-2015. The Commission has therefore launched a public consultation to identify priorities to be introduced in a new “digital agenda” for Europe. The questionnaire used as a basis for the consultation already suggests some possible directions the Commission may take in its new strategy.
The purpose of the new agenda will be to meet the emerging challenges of the EU in this field, create the necessary infrastructures and unlock the potential of Internet and ICT technologies.
Overall, the consultation should help the Commission better define to what extent ICT should be a key area in the next European ‘Lisbon’ strategy for growth and employment which will also be reviewed in the forthcoming months. The Commission also invites stakeholders to suggest what could be the “overall visionary focus for the post –i2010 strategy.” A stronger focus on user rights or user empowerment on the Internet is one of the possible visions to be suggested.
The consultation is open until 9 October 2009. The Commission expects its new strategy to be launched in spring 2010.