An Opportunity for All
1. Ministers consider the emergence of Global Information Networks
a highly positive development. This is an issue of crucial importance
for Europe's future and an opportunity for all, businesses small
and large, citizens and public administrations.
2. Ministers recognise that advances in Global Information Networks
have the potential to affect every aspect of our society - from
commerce to health care, from education to leisure, from the practice
of govemment to the exercise of democracy. They consider that
opportunities offered by Global Information Networks must be seized
most energetically and speedily in order to reap the benefits
in terms of competitiveness, growth and employment. In this respect,
they note that the Internet is already starting to create new
businesses, new high-value services and, most importantly, new
jobs.
3. They stress the special characteristics and fundamentally transnational
nature of the Internet, the most striking example of such networks,
which set it apart in almost every way from traditional means
of communication. They note the pioneering role played by the
European scientific community in the development of the World
Wide Web, and by European companies and users in its global growth.
4. Global Networks represent a powerful influence in the social,
educational and cultural fields - empowering educators, lowering
the barriers of entry for the creation and dissemination of content
in different languages, offsetting the effect of distance
for more remote users and offering users access to ever richer
sources of information.
5. Equally irnportantly, they note, Global Information Networks
give practical reality to freedom of expression and access to
information. Global Information Networks contribute to democracy
by improving communication between citizens and their administrations
and facilitating active participation in the democratic process.
6. Ministers recognise that these new opportunities come with
new challenges. In particular the sheer pace of development may
create technological and legal uncertainties. Such concerns, if
not answered, will delay investments by businesses and slow down
take-up by users.
7. mey call therefore upon all European actors - businesses, consumers
and governments - to work constructively together to answer these
challenges and fully realise the economic and social potential
of Global Information Networks. In particular, they commit themselves
to maximise opportunities for the creation of new jobs, the exploitation
of new forms of employment (such as teleworking), the maintenance
of social standards, greater economic integration and social cohesion.
They consider it essential to avoid a division between information
,,haves" and ,,have nots" in Europe and globally.
Fostering economic growth: developing content and commerce
8. Ministers recognise the considerable potential of Global Information
Networks to foster economic growth, in particular through more
efficient communications, the development of new forms of content
and the take-off of electronic commerce. They consider that seizing
the opportunities is vital for Europe's future competitiveness
and stress Europe's commitment to play its part in the dynamic
expansion of global electronic commerce.
9. Ministers recognise that content is an important sector in
its own right as well as a key driver of electronic commerce.
They consider, therefore, that the provision of high-quality European
content and services constitutes a high economic and industrial
priority. They consider, therefore, theat the provision of high-quality
European content and services constitutes a high economic and
industrial priority. They stress that rich and diverse content
an d services will not only answer the needs of European consumers,
but, in a digital environment which favours diversity, prove equally
appealing to users in other parts of the world.
10. Ministers note with satisfaction the commitment of European
companies - large operators as well as innovative SMEs - who have
harnessed considerable expertise and investment to position themselves
successfully on global multimedia and information markets. These
initiatives should be vigorously encouraged. Rapid take-up of
use of Global Information Networks, especially by SMEs, is of
crucial importance to their competitiveness.
11. Ministers underline the opportunities which electronic commerce
offers for both European enterprises and consumers. For enterprises,
it brings greater efficiency, increased responsiveness and cost
reductions. lt allows small companies and newcomers on the market
to extend their reach far beyond what was previously possible.
Ministers recognise that European consumers also stand to gain
from wider choice, increased availability of specialised products,
more comprehensive product information, lower costs and more responsive
service.
12. Ministers stress the importance of Internet domain names for
the development of electronic commerce. mey support the principle
of an internationally recognised and transparent system of management
of the Domain Name System. They consider it imperative to ensure
adequate Etiropean representation in this system.
A key role for the private sector
13. Ministers recognise the key role which the private sector
is playing in the emergence of Global Information Networks, in
particular through investments in infrastructures and services.
14. Ministers consider that the expansion of Global Information
Networks must essentially be market-led and left to private initiative.
They consider, in particular, that private enterprise should drive
the expansion of electronic commerce in Europe.
15. Ministers note with satisfaction the pioneering role
taken by the European industries, notably through the Trans-Atlantic
Business Dialogue, in the process leading to WTO agreements on
the opening of global communication markets and to the removal
of tariff and non-tariff barriers on Information Technology products.
They call upon all actors to build on this momentum and to take
a similar leading role in the development of new information content
and electronic commerce, thus ensuring that Europe fülly
benefits from the shift from infrastructure to content.
16. Ministers note with satisfaction the key role taken by the
industry itself in the process of standards setting. They consider
that technological and commercial interoperability in a competitive
environment is a vital factor for the future development of Global
Information Networks. They therefore encourage European companies
not only to participate actively in international standardisation
efforts, but also to leverage specific European strengths at a
global level.
17. Ministers underline the crucial role of entrepreneurship in
the emergence of Global Information Networks. Ministers therefore
challenge European industry to mobilise their considerable resources
in this field and to maximise innovation and creativity with the
aim of creating wealth and employment.
18. Ministers recognise that access to capital, notably to "seed
money" and venture capital, is crucial for new, high-growth,
information business companies. They call upon the financial community
to provide promising European start ups and SMEs, with flexible,
efficient mechanisms to raise capital, in particular in the early
and intermediate stages of their development. They will encourage
innovative ways to channel investment into this key sector.
19. Ministers stress the role which the private sector can play
in protecting the interests of consumers and in promoting and
respecting ethical standards, through properlyfunctioning systems
of self-regulation in compliance with and supported by the legal
system. Ministers encourage industry to implement open, platform-independent
content rating systems, and to propose rating services which meet
the needs of different users and take account of Europe's cultural
and linguistic diversity. They note that the EU Council Resolution
of 17 February 1997 on illegal and harmful content on the Internet
strongly supports such an approach.
Two important roles for governments: providing the framework
and stimulating new Services
Providing the framework
20. Ministers recognise that the public sector will need to play
an active part in order to ensure that Global Information Networks
fulfil their potential.
21. Ministers agree that any regulatory framework for electronic
commerce should be dear and predictable, pro-competitive, strike
the right balance between the freedom of expression and the protection
of private and public interests, in particular the protection
of minors, and ensure consumer protection.
22. Ministers stress that the general legal frameworks should
be applied on-line as they are off-line. In view of the speed
at which new technologies are developing, they will strive to
frame regulations which are technology-neutral, whilst bearing
in mind the need to avoid unnecessary regulation.
23. Ministers agree to work towards the establishment of such
frameworks, which will give consumers confidence and encourage
business to invest.
24. Ministers support the principle of non-discriminatory taxes
on use of Global Information Networks. They agree that tax issues
of electronic commerce call for international cooperation and
where appropriate coordination in order to avoid distortion of
competition.
Stimulating new services
25. Ministers encourage the use of networks in public services
such as education, health care and the environment. They will
promote their use so as to foster ,,electronic democracy"
by providing information to and facilitating responses by the
citizen. mey will use networks to bring citizens and businesses
doser to the administration, for instance by allowing completion
of administrative formalities electronically.
26. Ministers recognise the key role that competition plays in
stimulating new services and also the importance of encouraging
provision of access to Global Information Networks and services
at affordable prices. They will also work towards easy and wide
access for all through public facilities such as libraries. They
stress that public sector information represents considerable
value for citizens and industry and will be a substantial driver
of Global Information Networks. They will work to ensure its wider
availability through the use of new technologies.
27. Ministers will leverage the procurement activities of the
public sector, itself a major purchaser and user of Global Information
Networks, in order to improve the quality of services to the public,
the effectiveness of public administrations, and the participation
of citizens. They will encourage the creation of public/private
partnerships in order to facilitate the development of new technology
and services.
28. Ministers will stimulate research and development so as to
foster innovation and create a user-friendly information society.
Ministers urge research centres to further cooperative research
using Global Information Networks, by linking up throughout Europe
and interconnecting to the ,,Global Research Village".
The need to build confidence
29. Ministers recognise that it is crucial to build trust and
confidence in Global Information Networks by ensuring that basic
human rights are respected and by safeguarding the interests of
society in general, induding producers and consumers, particularly
through fair and transparent offers of service. They underline
the need to ensure that rules on the applicable law and the competent
court, particularly in cases involving consumers, are appropriate.
Protection of creativity and investment
30. Intellectual property rights, in particular copyright and
related rights, play a key role in encouraging creativity and
the availability of a critical mass of content and in enabling
electronic commerce on the Global Information Networks.
31. Ministers will work towards a rapid completion of suitable
adaptations to the legislative framework for copyright and related
rights in order to recognise the new phenomena of the Information
Society and bring about a coherent and favourable environment
for creativity and investment in Europe.
32. Ministers welcome the two WIPO Treaties adopted in December
1996 and will work towards their rapid ratification and entry
into force. Ministers emphasise the need for full and timely implementation
of the TRIPS agreement.
33. Ministers will also work towards global consensus, through
active involvement in current international negotiations, notably
in the framework of WIPO, on the issues under negotiation (such
as protection of audiovisual performances, sui generis protection
of databases requiring substantial investment, and trademarks
and domain names).
34. Ministers reiterate their commitment to fighting piracy, induding
piracy in the area of conditional access services. They commit
themselves to reinforcing international co-Operation in that area,
and to pursue this form of criminality as a matter of priority.
Security and confidentiality
35. Ministers consider that Information Security is one of the
key issues for the emergence of the Global Information Society
and recognise the importance of the availability of strong encryption
technology for electronic commerce.
36. They will work to achieve international availability and free
choice of cryptography products and interoperable services, subject
to applicable law, thus effectively contributing to data security
and the confidentiality of personal and business information.
if countries take measures in order to protect legitimate needs
of lawful access, they should be proportionate and effective and
respect applicable provisions relating to privacy. Ministers take
note of the recenfly agreed OECD Guidelines on Cryptography Policy
as a basis for national policies and international co-operation.
37. Ministers strongly encourage industry to promote the development
of secure technologies for information and communication systems.
Digital signatures
38. Ministers emphasise the need for a legal and technical framework
at European and international level which ensures compatibility
and creates confidence in digital signatures, a reliable and transparent
way of ensuring data, document and message integrity and authentication
both for electronic commerce and for electronic transactions between
public bodies and citizens.
39. Ministers call upon industry and international standards organisations
to develop technical and infrastructure standards for digital
signatures to ensure secure and trustworthy use of networks and
respect privacy and data protection requirements.
40. Ministers will initiate the necessary steps to remove barriers
to the use of digital signatures in law, business and public administration,
and to provide legal and mutual recognition of certificates.
Responsibility of the actors
41. Ministers underline the importance of clearly defining the
relevant legal rules on responsibility for content of the various
actors in the chain between creation and use. They recognise the
need to make a dear distinction between the responsibility of
those who produce and place content in circulation and that of
intermediaries.
42. Ministers stress that the rules on responsibility for content
should be based on a set of common principles so as to ensure
a level playing field. Therefore, intermediaries like network
operators and access providers should, in general, not be responsible
for content. mis principle should be applied in such a way that
intermediaries like network operators and access providers are
not subject to unreasonable, disproportionate or discriminatory
rules. In any case, third-party content hosting services should
not be expected to exercise prior control on content which they
have no reason to believe is illegal. Due account should be taken
of whether such intermediaries had reasonable grounds to know
and reasonable possibility to control content.
43. Ministers consider that rules on responsibility should give
effect to the principle of freedom of speech, respect public and
private interests and not impose disproportionate burdens on actors.
Empowering the users
Enabling participation by all
44. Ministers are in favour of actions to encourage awareness
and electronic literacy among all age-groups and sections of society.
Ministers uphold the right of users to decide how they wish to
use Global Networks as part of their daily lives.
45. Ministers stress the importance of wide accessibility of information
technology to citizens of both sexes and of all ages and backgrounds,
induding those in remote regions and disadvantaged groups, e.g.
the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities and elderly
people. Ministers will encourage actions to make content available
in users' own languages thus fostering linguistic diversity.
Electronic literacy and education
46. Global Information Networks can achieve their maximum potential
if all citizens and enterprises not only have the means of accessing
the services provided, but are also able to use them with confidence.
Ministers therefore call on industry to accelerate development
of user-friendly interfaces in order to simplify usage, raise
computer literacy and tackle the underlying reasons for limited
and/or reluctant use of the networks. Users' needs vary from the
simple to the sophisticated and they should be able to purchase
equipment and software appropriate to those needs.
47. Ministers will stimulate developments m the educational system
and in professional training systems so that information made
available on the networks is exploited as part of the learning
process at all levels, from primary to postgraduate, as well as
for lifelong learning.
48. Ministers recognise the key role which teachers can play in
preparing young people for the Information Society. They underline
that special efforts should be made to enable them to integrate
multimedia content into their teaching programmes from primary
school onwards. Starting from an early age children should undergo
,,network literacy" training, to familiarise them with using
new communication technologies and Global Information Networks.
Data protectlon
49. Ministers affirm strongly that personal data of users of Global
Information Networks should only be collected and processed where
the user has given informed consent or where such collection or
processing is permitted by law, and that appropriate legal safeguards
and technical tools should be provided to protect the user's right
to privacy.
50. Ministers agree to work together towards global principles
on the free flow of information whilst protecting the fundamental
right to privacy and personal and business data, building on the
work undertaken by the EU, the Council of Europe, the OECD and
the UN.
51. Ministers recognise the principle that where the user
can choose to remain anonymous off-line, that choice should also
be available on-line.
52. Ministers urge industry to implement technical means for ensuring
privacy and protecting personal data on the Global Information
Networks, such as anonymous browsing, e-mail and payment facilities.
Facilitating users' choice
53.Ministers urge the software industry to provide the necessary
tools to enable users to select categories of content which they
do - or do not - wish to receive so as to deal with information
overload and undesired or harmful content.
54. Ministers therefore welcome the development of powerful services
and software tools which enable information search and retrieval,
and delivery direcfly to the user of specifically requested information.
55. Ministers stress the importance of the availability of filtering
mechanisms and rating systems which allow users to decide on categories
of content which they wish themselves, or minors for whom they
are responsible, to access.
Building on Europe's strengths
56. Ministers consider that Europe's many strengths will provide
a crucial contribution to the development of Global Information
Networks. Building on these strengths should be a leading consideration.
57. Ministers recognise that Europe's strong base in technology
and infrastructure will constitute a strategic advantage. They
note, in particular, Europe's successes in developing key standards
for Global Information Networks, its leadership in the early deployment
of advanced digital telecommunication networks and in the development
of essential electronic commerce technologies such as smart cards.
They recognise the crucial role played by the liberalisation of
telecommunications in Europe in the emergence of Global Information
Networks, and in the development of electronic commerce in Europe.
They commit themselves to a full and timely opening of telecommunication
markets, in conformity with previous commitments and international
agreements.
58. Similarly, Ministers recognise that content development
is another of Europe's strengths. They consider that the cultural
and linguistic diversity, which is at the heart of Europe's common
heritage, also constitutes a definite commercial advantage in
the new environment of Global Information Networks. In this perspective,
Ministers will encourage actions aiming at disseminating cultural
content, the development and use of lT tools and methods to facilitate
the transfer of information between languages, as well as current
international standardisation efforts to allow languages with
different character sets to be used over networks.
59. Ministers reaffirm the need to stimulate a strong and diverse
European content and services industry. mey note with satisfaction
that European multimedia companies are already harnessing considerable
resources and expertise to launch high-value information-based
services and products on Global Information Networks. They also
note that highly innovative European SMEs, specialised in such
diverse fields as multimedia production, advanced language processing
and information search, are positioning themselves successfülly
on global markets. Ministers will actively promote innovation
in content and services through active cross-fertilisation between
audiovisual, telecommunications and publishing companies in Europe.
Ministers challenge the European industry to build further on
such opportunities, and governments to encourage such initiatives
concretely.
60. Ministers stress the contribution which Global Information
Networks can make to the process of European integration. The
free flow of information and the removal of time and distance
as handicaps allow businesses, consumers and governments of all
European countries, in particular those aspiring to membership
of the European Union, to have access to the same information
on the same terms, and to be providers of information and services
as well as users. Increased competition in the market will reduce
the cost of the necessary investment in infrastructure and the
cost of using the network.
Strengthening the international dimension
61. Ministers reafirm the fundamentally transnational nature of
Global Information Networks. They note, in particular, that electronic
commerce is, by its very nature, global. Ministers reafirm that
international cooperation is essential to tackle the barriers
limiting complete realisation of the potential of Global Information
Networks and to ensure that the full benefits are available not
only within individual countries, but also throughout Europe and
throughout the world.
62. They support interconnection of European networks and those
of industrialised and developing countries, co-operation actions
in particular with Central and Eastern European Countries and
Mediteiranean countries and collaboration in the context of the
G7 pilot projects, in particular the Global Marketplace for SMEs.
63. Ministers recognise that recent landmark agreements - such
as the WTO Agreement on Basic Telecommunications, the Information
Technology Agreement and the bilateral Mutual Recognition Agreements
on certification procedures - will have a direct positive impact
on Global Information Networks, by stimulating competition, lowering
costs and creating new opportunities, particularly in the field
of electronic commerce, for the benefit of all users.
64. Ministers advise that full use be made of multilateral fora
to strengthen international cooperation, while ensuring that their
activities are properly coordinated. In this spirit, Ministers
will fully cooperate together and within the Council of Europe,
the OECD, the WTO and other appropriate international fora, in
order to identify and dismande existing obstades to the use of
electronic commerce, to prevent the establishment of new barriers,
and to establish a dear and predictable legal framework at national
and, where appropriate, European and global levels.
65. Ministers recognise the specific challenges posed by
the misuse of Global Information Networks. They consider, therefore,
that international cooperation is essential in this area. Ministers
will actively encourage the reinforcement of police and judicial
cooperation, particularly in the area of technology training and
mutual assistance, to prevent and combat illegal content and high
technology crime. They support the establishment of international
networks of hot-lines.
66. Ministers welcome the recent initiative of the OECD aiming
at a comparative study of national legislations and an exchange
of experiences on the issue of illegal content on the Internet.
Supporting a multilateral as well as a European approach, they
consider that the international dimension is crucial in the building
of trust and confidence in the Global Information Networks.
Follow-up
67. Ministers request the Information Society Forum and the EUICEEC
Forum to consider actions to increase public awareness across
Europe such as establishing an ,,Information Society Day"
at the European level.
68. Ministers welcome the suggestions made by several countries
to organise specialised events during 1998 in order to take specific
issues addressed during this Conference further.
69. Ministers undertake to further develop their national strategies
and action plans and strengthen their co-operation at the European
and international level to promote the provision and use of Global
Information Networks based on the principles of this Dedaration.
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