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. Expected to be completed in May 2010)
• Dr. C. N. Phellas (Executive Director RUBSI) has been appointed as Principal Expert (expert in the field of sociology) of the project.
Summary
The European Union in the wider context of achieving the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy, has established the “Strategic i2010 - European Information Society for Growth and Employment", which defines a set of policy guidelines and objectives for the Information Society (IS) in the 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.
The European Union Strategy for Information Society seeks to create policies in order to effectively address traditional and new forms of social exclusion, while ensuring that citizens participate fully and benefit from the Information Society. The relevant Action Plans of the European Union require immediate action by Member States and preparation of National Strategy for e-inclusion. The multidimensional nature of the Information Society is apparent. Consequently, the implementation of a national strategy involves many agencies and services, each of whom has an important role to play.
For example, the Planning Bureau, the Social Welfare Services, the Department of Information Technology Services, the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Communications and Works.
The development of the IS is considered very important for Cyprus; thus the Cabinet has approved the recommendation of the establishment of a Commission Bureau for the Information Society. Furthermore, by decision of the Cabinet (dec.no. 66.008) the Social Welfare Services are responsible for the preparation of the National Strategy for the Electronic Integration.
OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
The project aims to define the National Strategy and Action Plans for the development of Electronic Integration 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.
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 order to identify good and best practices in electronics integration and more generally 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.
Expected results
The aim is the recording, the critical analysis (evaluation and conclusions) and the presentation of selected elements of the current situation of equal electronic access, electronic integration and IS socio-economic inclusion of special population groups (disabled, elderly, immigrants , people living in remote areas, women, the unemployed, children, etc.) under investigation.