gareth hughes chief executive eris@ (the european regional information society association)
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Gareth HUGHES Chief Executive eris@ (The European Regional Information Society Association). Regions & Regional Development in the Information Society. Accelerated adoption of ICTs is critical to achieving competitiveness at the European, national and regional levels. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
Gareth HUGHES
Chief Executive
eris@
(The European Regional Information Society Association)
Regions & Regional Development in the Information Society
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
Accelerated adoption of ICTs is critical to achieving competitiveness at the European, national and regional levels.
Most people spend most of their lives, at leisure, work and study, in their regions
Regional mechanisms are “required to provide strategic co-ordination and planning at a scale lower than an overloaded central government but higher than the limited level of local authorities”
ICTs are only tools - and the information society only a means to an end - for economic and social development.
Accelerated development of the information society and improved competitiveness in Europe will be retarded if the regions are not fully engaged.
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
Because the information society will influence all aspects of our lives, in all parts of the regional economy and society, it is vital to address it in strategic planning terms.
More than this, the information society offers a new paradigm for regional economic and social development - especially in the Less Favoured Regions.
Planning for the information society should bring together all sectors of the regional economy and society - and bring together in a coherent strategic framework all aspects of regional planning.
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
“The regional level is the most appropriate for identifying the opportunities offered to it by the information society. Only an approach based on consensus, partnership and dialogue among users and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) providers within the regional context can make the information society a reality adapted to the needs of the people and firms rather than a celebration of technology.”
COM (97)7/3
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
There exists a well-tried and tested methodology for developing and implementing Regional Information Society Strategies & Action Plans
IRISI (1994-97)
RISI ( 1996-99)
28 regions adopted a common methodology for the development of RIS / SAPs.
Most have been successful
Avoid re-inventing wheels to achieve accelerated development
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
The RISI Methodology: Key Features
Create some (semi-permanent) organisational structures
Audit the baseline situation and benchmarking
Analysis of the baseline and of needs (e.g. SWOT)
Awareness raising and generating a public debate
Inclusiveness and a bottom-up approach combined with …
Leadership and a (strategic) top-down view
Networking and partnership building
Developing scenarios and options
Achieving consensus for priorities
Integration with regional and national policy (Mainstreaming)
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
StrategyDevelopment
Integration with Regional
Policy
Buildingthe
InformationSociety
Stimulationof New Projects
Applications& Services
New Networks,Partnerships
& OrganisationalStructures
AwarenessRaising
Choice
Dialogue
ConsensusBuilding
Planning
Cohesion
Change
Inter-Regional
Inclusive
LearningSystems
Bottomup
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
StrategyDevelopment
Integration with Regional
Policy
Buildingthe
InformationSociety
Stimulationof New Projects
Applications& Services
New Networks,Partnerships
& OrganisationalStructures
AwarenessRaising
Choice
Dialogue
ConsensusBuilding
Planning
Cohesion
Change
Inter-Regional
Inclusive
LearningSystems
Bottomup
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
Disseminateinformation
Create networks -get people involved
Get key actors on board
Promotecollectivethinking
Organise debate -search for new
ideas
Build criticalmass
Create newpartnerships
AwarenessRaising
Project &Applications
Inventory InstitutionalAudit
InfrastructureAudit
ICT SkillsAudit
BaselineAudit
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
StrategyDevelopment
Integration with Regional
Policy
Buildingthe
InformationSociety
Stimulationof New Projects
Applications& Services
New Networks,Partnerships
& OrganisationalStructures
AwarenessRaising
Choice
Dialogue
ConsensusBuilding
Planning
Cohesion
Change
Inter-Regional
Inclusive
LearningSystems
Bottomup
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
NewStrategy
Document
NewActionPlan
Networking & Partnership
Strategy Development Strategy Definition
t
Awareness Raising
Est
ablis
h O
rg.
Str
uct
ure
s Benchmarking
OptionsPaper Networking Partnership
Building
Strategy Development
StrategyDocument
ActionPlan
Strategy Definition
Project Development
Mainstreaming
Monitoring & Evaluation
Strategy Implementation
Strategy Review
Public Debate
BaselineInventory
SWOTAnalysis
Preparation
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
NewStrategy
Document
NewActionPlan
Networking & Partnership
Strategy Development Strategy Definition
t
Awareness Raising
Est
ablis
h O
rg.
Str
uct
ure
s Benchmarking
OptionsPaper Networking Partnership
Building
Strategy Development
StrategyDocument
ActionPlan
Strategy Definition
Project Development
Mainstreaming
Monitoring & Evaluation
Strategy Implementation
Strategy Review
Public Debate
BaselineInventory
SWOTAnalysis
Preparation
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
StrategyDevelopment
Integration with Regional
Policy
Buildingthe
InformationSociety
Stimulationof New Projects
Applications& Services
New Networks,Partnerships
& OrganisationalStructures
AwarenessRaising
Choice
Dialogue
ConsensusBuilding
Planning
Cohesion
Change
Inter-Regional
Inclusive
LearningSystems
Bottomup
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
StrategyDevelopment
Integration with Regional
Policy
Buildingthe
InformationSociety
Stimulationof New Projects
Applications& Services
New Networks,Partnerships
& OrganisationalStructures
AwarenessRaising
Choice
Dialogue
ConsensusBuilding
Planning
Cohesion
Change
Inter-Regional
Inclusive
LearningSystems
Bottom
up
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
“While the so called ‘digital revolution’ generates truly global information flows and profoundly changes the way businesses, markets and politics work, the term ‘digital divide’ indicates that not everybody benefits from these revolutionary changes. There is a wide gap between those who have access to ICTs and those who have not.”
COM(2001) 770 final
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
The inclusive, bottom-up approach is designed to identify and meet the real needs, and solve the real problems, of real people and real organisations :
identifying real (rather than imagined) demand
avoiding technologically-driven, supply-side solutions
ensuring participatory decision making (by users)
addressing the needs of all sectors of the regional society and economy
supporting common thinking, cohesion and consensus
overcoming the ‘digital divide’
strengthening regional identity and solidarity
building regional planning competencies and capacity
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
SOME CONCLUSIONS
The development of the information society requires BOTH a top-down AND a bottom-up approach
The State, regional authorities and big business do not have all the answers.
Engaging and trusting people to participate is a critical part of the process.
Politicians like ‘quick successes’ - but these do always represent the real priorities for long-term development.
Some experimentation and risk is essential - to be innovative and to win commitment.
But overall leadership and co-ordination is needed from the regional authorities (both UP to national/EU policies and DOWN to meet local needs)
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
SOME CONCLUSIONS
Participation of, and consultation with, the social and economic actors is absolutely essential
To identify and address real needs and real demand.
To raise awareness of the risks and the opportunities
To win widespread support and commitment.
To create a cohesive - rather than a competitive -outcome.
To create a strategic - rather than fragmented - action plan
To avoid exacerbating the digital divide.
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
SOME CONCLUSIONS
Regional benchmarking (and the use of key indicators) has an important role to play in developing and implementing information society strategies and actions plans
To audit the baseline situation.
To assess strategic gaps, threats and opportunities.
To monitor progress of the plan over time, and to identify problems at an early stage - for example, to detect a worsening of the digital divide.
To maintain competitiveness (relative to other regions and countries) in the global economy
To carry out effective evaluations and for periodic review of the strategy
BUT, be sure to choose the right (social as well as economic) indicators.
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
SOME CONCLUSIONS
Intra-regional networking is vital in order to
build new partnerships and a new consensus within a region.
tap the expertise within a region, to engage the wider community, and to capitalise on the region’s “energy” and resources.
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
SOME CONCLUSIONS
Intra-regional networking is vital in order to
build new partnerships and a new consensus within a region.
tap the expertise within a region, to engage the wider community, and to capitalise on the region’s “energy” and resources.
Such networks can
take time to build (but tend to cost little)
build new and important communities of common interest
provide a mechanism for effective region-wide coordination
challenge the status quo
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
SOME CONCLUSIONS
Inter-regional networking is vital in order to
avoid re-inventing wheels and to cut development time and costs - by learning good practice and sharing developments and applications.
access mutual support and assistance in overcoming difficulties.
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
SOME CONCLUSIONS
Inter-regional networking is vital in order to
avoid re-inventing wheels and to cut development time and costs - by learning good practice and sharing developments and applications.
access mutual support and assistance in overcoming difficulties.
Inter-regional networks
cost very little to join, but effective participation does take time and money (for travel etc.)
depend on reciprocity and solidarity.
offer scale economies in common areas - but members retain the advantages of independent action in others.
Offer learning opportunities but these often must be adapted to the regional context and circumstances.
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
eris@ now has 39 member regions - including the regions of Central Hungary and Malapolska.
The eris@ EU regions represent about 90 million people - about 25% of the EU population
Most are Less Favoured Regions - in receipt of Structural Funds support.
Most have successfully oriented their Structural Funds programmes to ensure accelerated adoption of the IS
On average, we estimate that Objective 1 regions will commit €200+ Million, and Objective 2 regions €100+ million (2000-06) for IS actions
Ljubljana
3-4 June 2002
European Ministerial Conference
Information Society - Connecting Europe
eris@ offers consultancy support and guidance in the development and implementation of regional information society strategies and actions plans.
See the RISI Guide to Developing Regional Information Society Initiatives
A GUIDE
to DEVELOPING
REGIONAL
Information
Society
INITIATIVES
Contact: