Study on the identification and preparation of the National Strategy for Electronic Integration in Cyprus.
The project aims to produce a National Strategy and Action Plans for the development of Electronic Inclusion in Cyprus, which relates to the use and availability of Internet, broadband coverage, Digital Literacy, Electronic Accessibility, Information Technologies and Communications in relation to Aging, to people at risk of exclusion and to improving their quality of life.
Study on the identification and preparation of the National Strategy for Electronic Integration in Cyprus.
• Funders: CYPRUS, MINISTRY OF LABOR AND SOCIAL INSURANCE AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES
• Duration: 8 months (started: October 1, 2009 and was completed in June 2010)
•Dr. C. N. Phellas (Executive Director RUBSI) has been appointed asPrincipal Expert (expert in the field of sociology) of the project.
Summary
TheEuropean Union in the wider context of achieving the objectives of theLisbon Strategy, has established the “Strategic i2010 - EuropeanInformation Society for Growth and Employment", which defines a set ofpolicy guidelines and objectives for the Information Society (IS) inthe European Union.
The new Strategic Framework of the European Union for the Information Society sets out three priority areas (i2010), which are:
(a) the completion of a Single European Information Space,
(b) strengthen the Innovation and encourage Investment in ICT research and
(c) the creation of a European Information Society for all.
TheEuropean Union Strategy for Information Society seeks to createpolicies in order to effectively address traditional and new forms ofsocial exclusion, while ensuring that citizens participate fully andbenefit from the Information Society. The relevant Action Plans of theEuropean Union require immediate action by Member States andpreparation of National Strategy for e-inclusion. The multidimensionalnature of the Information Society is apparent. Consequently, theimplementation of a national strategy involves many agencies andservices, each of whom has an important role to play.
Forexample, the Planning Bureau, the Social Welfare Services, theDepartment of Information Technology Services, the Ministry of Laborand Social Insurance, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism,the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Health, theMinistry of Communications and Works.
The development ofthe IS is considered very important for Cyprus; thus the Cabinet hasapproved the recommendation of the establishment of a Commission Bureaufor the Information Society. Furthermore, by decision of the Cabinet(dec.no. 66.008) the Social Welfare Services are responsible for thepreparation of the National Strategy for the Electronic Integration.
OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
Theproject aims to define the National Strategy and Action Plans for thedevelopment of Electronic Integration in Cyprus, which relates to theuse and availability of Internet, broadband coverage, Digital Literacy,Electronic Accessibility, Information Technologies and Communicationsin relation to Aging, to people at risk of exclusion and to improvingtheir quality of life.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Specific objectives of the Convention are:
• Recording the current situation in Cyprus regarding electronics integration and more generally in IS.
•Recording the current situation in Europe and internationally in orderto identify good and best practices in electronics integration and moregenerally in IS.
• Description of the IS indicators in Cyprus and comparison with other countries.
• Recording and evaluation of the electronic services offered in Cyprus.
• The development of the Strategic Action Plan of the wider civil service.
• The development of Action Plans for the relevant Ministries of the Republic and for the wider civil service.
• Defining measures and actions to be proposed for implementation by the Ministries / Departments.
• The presentation of incentives to the relevant Ministries / Departments for implementation of the measures / action plans
• The requirements in human resources in the relevant Ministries / Departments for the implementation of action plans.
• Overall Conclusions & Recommendations.
Aims
Theaim was the recording, the critical analysis (evaluation andconclusions) and the presentation of selected elements of the currentsituation of equal electronic access, electronic integration and ISsocio-economic inclusion of special population groups (disabled,elderly, immigrants , people living in remote areas, women, theunemployed, children, etc.) under investigation.
The results were presented in the Conference organised by the Social Welfare Services on the 14th of October 2010 on Poverty and Social Exclusion.
21st May. 2010