The information society

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report by Catherine TRAUTMANN (PES, FR) on the World Summit on Information Society. (Please see the document of 24/05/2005.) Parliament also stressed the need to develop entrepreneurial and innovative capacities to enable countries to use ICTs to develop services and systems that directly address their societal needs.

Parliament felt that the development of internet governance is a key to the success of the WSIS and should be pursued to a timetable compatible with the Declaration of Principles and the Plan of Action. However, an international and independent internet governance system should be maintained. It emphasised that accessibility and investment in ICTs depends on the stability and reliability of the internet. Digital literacy programmes are essential to building up a global area of freedom and security where citizens, who are potential consumers of information, enjoy full rights of citizenship. Education, including education in human rights, is central to an inclusive information society.

Parliament stressed the need to safeguard cultural diversity when planning governance arrangements. Innovation in educational systems, lifelong learning programmes and e-learning initiatives (for both teachers and students) should be fostered. Parliament recommended an explicit focus on education, training and tools for the creation of content that reflects cultural diversity. Globalisation brings in its wake risks in relation to respect for cultural diversity in terms of languages and identities. The information society can also represent an opportunity for the promotion of intercultural dialogue via global networks.