A "rule book" for European citizens has been drawn up at the start of Italy's EU presidency at the end of the European Conference on e-government at Cernobbio, on the banks of Lake Como "It is the first time - explained the satisfied Technology Minister, Lucio Stanca - that the fundamental points of the strategy for communication and technological innovation in Europe, have been laid out. A document that is very politically valuable, which can be used as a base for al countries. The aim will be to create services for European citizens and to give concreteness to the political idea of European citizenship." It will be the European Council of telecommunications, which will meet this autumn to put into effect the policies contained in the Cernobbio document.
These in synthesis are the ten points:
- Recognition of e-government as a factor in promoting an information society.
- The role and function of e-government for the modernisation of public administration in Europe as a key for the development of productivity and efficiency.
- European productivity can be increased thus reducing the burden on public administration with a consequent reduction in total costs.
- Emphasis on e-government as a means to increase efficiency and transparency in the public sector and the institutions.
- E-Government is an instrument for improving the quality of life for European citizens.
- A decisive role for information and communication technology for citizens participation in decision-making processes.
- A modern European administration happens via cooperation between different levels of government.
- Satisfaction about the forms of cooperation begun between European countries at the various administrative levels.
- Necessity for cooperation between the European Commission and each state to define standards of services and the identification of priorities for investment.
- The summit on the information society, that will take place in Genoa in December 2003 and in Tunisia in November 2005 represent a unique opportunity to discuss the situation of the information society at a global level.
