Internet: multiannual action plan on promoting safer use

Agreed in 1999, the multi-annual Community action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global networks (1999-2002), is up for review and the European Commission is presenting the results of a study into the efficacy or not of the programme. Independent evaluators were commissioned to assess the successes and failings of the programme and to offer advice on how to improve upon the overall structure. Generally speaking, the independent evaluators found that the Action Plan has been a success. In all the evaluators came up with fifteen recommendations, most of which the Commission endorses. They are as follows: 1. The broad division into three main Action lines of the current IAP (Hotlines and Self-Regulation; Awareness and Rating; and Filtering) should be retained in any future actions. 2. The Action lines should be extended to cope with the impact of new technology. Future call for proposals will bear this recommendation in mind. 3. The Action Plan should be balanced in scope. The Commission argues that this is already the case. 4. The application procedures should use simpler forms. The Commission suggests that work on simplifying the forms is already under way. 5. Delays between project approval and contract signing should be reduced. The Commission promises to make substantial progress on this matter in the near future. 6. Assistance from the Action Plan with partner identification should be considered. The Commission agrees to give this greater prominence. 7. Efforts should be made to increase the consistency of advice provided by the Action Plan to projects in relation to the financial application forms. Particular attention to this matter is offered to operators by the Commission so that organisations are aware of the rules. 8. Projects should ensure adequate resource are given to media and press coverage and visibility. The Commission acknowledges the importance of this issue and will continue to seek advice on how best to attract media attention. 9. The Action should review efforts to support project sustainability. The Commission will see if there are any steps that it can take to encourage this process. 10. The Action Plan should consider ways to manage the potential for overlap. The Commission notes that a number of measures are already in place to avoid over-lap and agrees to give this continuing attention in 2002. 11. Projects funded under the Action should be structured in such a way as to allow the formal measures of success to be evaluated. 12. The Action Plan should consider putting into place formal arrangements to track legal and regulatory developments. 13. The Action Plan should consider putting into place formal arrangements to monitor and evaluate technological and market developments. This will be reviewed through on-going reports, forums and workshops. 14. The Action Plan needs to have a higher profile and gain wider awareness itself. The Commission, suggests that work is already under way to increase the visibility of the Action Plan through a series of conferences and the distribution of documentation. 15. The Action Plan should consider more links to activities andorganisation outside the EU. The Commission already links up with relevant international organisations involved in Internet safety as well as following developments in other parts of the world. To conclude, the Commission agrees to take full note of the findings and recommendations. It calls on the other institutions to support the Commission in its drive to simplify administrative procedures, enhance the effectiveness of the projects, increase dissemination of project results and stimulate public debate on safer Internet issues. �