The following report consists of two parts. In the first part Estonian promotional activities currently in the ESIS II Database are overviewed briefly and the data is analysed in the context of general developments. The second part covers changes in private, public and non-profit sectors from the second quarter of 1999 to the end of 2000 more thoroughly. One has to note that even if some changes seem to have no impact on European level, they are still influencing Estonian developments through new information society projects or changing the overall attitude.

Altogether 69 activities directly related to promotion of information society development were added into the ESIS II Database over May 1999 – December 2000. Hereby attention has to be paid to the fact that drawing a line between important and not important events and relevance to information society development are very vague. However, events included in the database are considered to be especially relevant by Estonian ESIS Team.

Most of the activities are aimed at whole Estonia (graph 1). The same follows from Estonian IS projects and in corresponding report it was noted that the amount of projects on the national scale reflects the natural advantage of a small country in innovations - it is easier and cheaper to initiate and carry out projects covering the whole country and the developments of Estonian information society will be influenced directly.

Considering small scales, viewing whole Estonia as a target group is normal, since for a successful e-business the distances are very small (a couple of hundred kilometres). The same applies to organising seminars and other information dissemination events and meetings of expert groups. Usually studies are carried out on the all-Estonian level as well.

From the regional level events one was the Tiger Tour 1999 aimed at local levels introducing information technology application possibilities by lectures. The second is the eTartu programme initiated by Tartu City Government; it is a program based on eEurope initiative, respective action plan will be developed. However, the elaboration of information society projects is beyond the powers of most regions (local authorities and small towns) due to lack of human and financial resources.

The high number of actions on international level indicates that Estonia is in every sense going along with globalisation process as both entrepreneurs are oriented towards international market (Internet as the medium) as well as the politicians (following and participating in eEurope developments).

Graph 2 reflects the division of actions between specified categories; every action can belong into several categories.

As the result of numerous seminars, conferences etc. held in Estonia the information exchange events’ category contains the largest number of actions. Although most of promotional activities are oriented towards IT specialists or entrepreneurs with the purpose to promote the ‘new economy’, this category includes also various radio and television programs, WWW servers and web pages aimed at raising IT awareness of people.

Significant national strategies, IT journals and other similar publications have been noted in 16 times. Small number indicates that analyses of IS developments and approval of political programs and action plans is in the beginning. Various studies (incl. those by the European Commission) have pointed out weak analyse proceeding political decisions as well.

During the examined period expert groups were formed on 17 occasions. Next to establishing information technology enterprises’ associations, most of the expert groups have been formed in normal process of public policy. For example, committees and working groups have been formed for elaboration of different national strategies.

Up to the beginning of 2000 the most important contest organiser of WWW pages and new ideas was Open Estonia Foundation, which at the present moment due to reorganisation has ceased organising such contests.

Graph 3 reflects the division of information society promotional actions by categories; one action can belong into more than one category simultaneously. Here the conclusions of several reports are confirmed – public sector is to a large extent acting as the centre and engine of developments.

In Estonia educational sector has the lead, where various projects (national program "Tiger Leap", activities of EENET - Estonian Educational and Research Network) have induced public opinion in positive direction and started other activities in the field. Additional information about some projects is to be found in the ESIS II Database of Projects.

In 1999 and 2000 the IS in Estonia has developed vigorously. The State and the private sector have introduced several innovative services to the market, high-level conferences in sphere 'new economy' held in Estonia are becoming a traditional arena for discussion. Professional organisations are collaborating and participate actively in the process of forming policies. Venture capital funds help to develop innovative projects in private sector.

2.1. Awareness increasing events (workshops, www-services, information exchange)

One of the most important events in 2000 was the information technology forum From Visions to Solutions which took place for the second year consecutively (please see entry 'Information Technology Forum From Visions to Solutions' in the database). Similar event took place in also 1999 (please see entry 'Forum "From visions to solutions' in the database).

Event analysing media developments was the conference New Media and Business. It took place June 6-7, 2000 in Tallinn; main subjects were relations between media and information technologies, and electronic and mobile business opportunities. The speakers included Scandinavian top level media and marketing specialists (please see entry 'Conference New Media and Business' in the database).

To central events of technological solutions belong the information and telecommunication fair Contact 2000. It took place April 5-6, 2000 and was oriented mainly towards specialists (please see entry 'Information and telecommunication technology fair CONTACT 2000' in the database).

International fair Infocom 2000 which took place April 27-29, 2000 was aimed at wider public (please see entry 'International fair Infocom 2000' in the database). April 22-24, 1999 the information, communication and office technology fair Computer '99 took place in Tallinn (please see entries 'Fair Infocom 2000' and 'Fair "Computer '99"' in the database).

The most influential awareness-increasing event during the examined period was the road-show Tiger Tour (August 22-29, 1999). It introduced Internet, computers and IT as means to improve education and erudition. The route covered 8 Estonian cities and county centres. The centre of attraction was a 'mobile and public Internet Access Point' provided with 40 computers where lectures and demonstrations were held by IT experts. Innovative nature and success of the Tiger Tour have been internationally recognised: Estonian Tiger Tour 1998 was awarded the grand prix of the international information technology contest The Global Bangemann Challenge in category 'Equal possibilities for Internet usage' (please see entry 'Tiger Tour 1999’ in the database).

Of the projects increasing general awareness Radio and TV programme Tehnokratt, the most popular broadcast about information technology that started a new season in autumn deserves to be highlighted. It deals with innovative IT solutions and their significance in daily life, information is presented simply and comprehensively (please see entry 'Tehnokratt' in the database).

International organisation Business Software Alliance (BSA) has become active in fighting against widely-spread software piracy in Estonia. BSA has organised training for police officials, educated computer users through the media; and in co-operation with police organised raids to different organisations in order to check the legality of the software used by the companies.

During the reported period several specific events took place as well. Already from the middle of 1990’s the Institute of Baltic Studies has organised simulations mostly for general educational schools. In July 2000 in co-operation with the University of Tartu ISAGA (International Simulation and Gaming Association) 31^st Annual Conference was arranged in Tartu dealing with new teaching methods (please see entry ‘31^st Annual Conference of ISAGA (International Simulation and Gaming Association) in the database).

Conference Telemaatika 2000 (November 17-19, 2000 in Tartu) was organised by the Phare ISE program (Archimedes Foundation), EENet, University of Tartu and Tiger Leap Foundation. Conferences of the same kind were held in 1996 and 1998 (please see entry 'Conference Telemaatika 2000' in the database).

Significant in Estonian IS development has been the role of Tiger Leap Foundation. On May 5, 1999 it organised a conference in Viljandi which concentrated mainly on the future of training and education in IS (please see entry 'Tiger Leap Foundation Annual Conference 1999' in the database).

In September 2000 high level conference "Genes, Nation and Money" took place in Tartu. Topics related to gene technology development in Estonia, Baltic States and world in general were discussed. Gene technology is one of Estonian most successful research and development areas and the State fosters innovation in the field in every respect. In December 2000 the Parliament approved the Human Gene Research Act and in May 2000 public was informed of the Estonian Genome Project (see also ‘Gene Technology Forum 2000 Genes, Nation and Money’ in the database).

An important conference organised by the public sector was the international conference on Baltic registers Regno 2000 on March 13-14. It dealt with management of state database systems and development trends in the Baltic region. The conference was organised by the Estonian State Chancellery and the Finnish Centre for Population Register (please see entry 'Conference of registers 'Regno 2000' in the database).

Innovation and R&D were the subjects of the international contact fair Technology 2000, organised by Tallinn Technical University and Foundation TTU Innovation Centre on May 18-20. The purpose of the conference was to introduce the achievements of the Estonian R&D and to build contacts between science and industry (please see entry 'Fair Technology 2000' in the database). Fair Innovation took place on April 8-9, 1999 in Tartu. The main subject of discussion was 'What to produce in Estonia in the XXI century?'. The idea of the fair was to introduce new ways of stopping the Estonian domestic production decrease, and of directing the economy toward creating new products and services according to market demands. At the same time the conference 'Collaboration as the key of innovation' took place (please see entry 'VII fair and conference Innovation 99' in the database).

Related is the meeting of IT-companies 'First Tuesday' that for the first time took place in Estonia on June 6, 2000. The purpose of the international tour de table of IT and Internet companies was to find contacts and to discuss possible investments (please see entry 'Meeting of IT-companies, First Tuesday' in the database).

Estonia participated in the IS technology conferences in Helsinki (November 22-24, 1999) and in Nizza (November 6-8, 2000) with display stands. Number of leading Estonian IT companies presented their products and services and made contacts (please see entries ‘Estonian stand, IST'99’ and ‘Estonian stand, IST'00’ in the database).

In the field of www-services the activities of Hansabank deserve to be emphasised. With offering electronic banking services to customers, Hansabank has created a public demand for similar electronic services of other institutions as well. Hansabank has offered also its server’s authentication services to other organisations. Some examples of services are the possibility for AS Eesti Mobiiltelefon clients to order electronic invoices to their mailboxes and pay them comfortably. Since spring 2000 Hansabank’s Internet bank interface became equipped with the opportunity to examine how much social tax an employer has paid per employee in 1999 and it is possible to conclude compulsory vehicle insurance agreements (please see entry 'Hansabank Estonia: www.hanza.net' in the database).

2.2. Surveys and Publications

Estonian developments have been analysed thoroughly in the United Nations Development Programme 'Global Human Development Report'. Last version of the report was published in June 2000. In 1999 Estonia was on the 54^th position, now it belongs to the group of most developed countries (46 countries) (please see entry 'Human Development Report 2000 by UNDP' in the database).

In September 1999 a comprehensive collection of ideas was presented. It is an attempt to offer Estonia a specific development strategy for the XXI century. With the materials possible development directions and decisions, which would help Estonia to follow the idea of economising development (in both natural and intellectual resources), are introduced to general public. The purpose of the collection is to activate a discussion in the society about Estonian future, choices and decisions, which have to be made today to achieve the fulfillment of desired Estonian Ideas tomorrow (please see entry 'Collection of Ideas "Estonia on the way to the 21-st century"' in the database).

Main local institution studying IT usage among Estonian inhabitants is AS Emor, which conducts studies twice a month to study Internet usage habits of Estonian population (please see entry 'Emor’s e-monitoring' in the database).

In the second quarter of 2000 the report 'Evaluation of Estonian Innovation System' was completed. The conclusions of the report are deeply considered in restructuring Estonian R&D system in order to strengthen relations between science, technology and industry (please see entry 'Evaluation of Estonian Innovation System' in the database).

The Estonian Informatics Centre in co-operation with the Estonian State Chancellery publishes a regular yearbook 'Information Technology in Public Administration'. It reflects and analyses the developments in public sector. The collection published since 1996 is a valuable source of information for making decisions affecting this field (please see entry 'Information Technology in Public Administration Yearbook' in the database).

2.3. Formation of Expert Groups

In March 2000 the Association of Estonian Information Technology and Telecommunication Companies was established on the basis of Association of Estonian Computer Companies from one side and the Union of Telecommunication Companies from the other side. Currently the Association is the most important umbrella organisation of the companies in the field. The objectives of the Union include representing common interests of members, participating in developing related legislation and thus accelerating the rise of fair and competitive environment in Estonia. Also, internal codes of conduct and ethics code are being developed, and related court is being established (please see entry 'Association of Estonian Information Technology and Telecommunication Companies' in the database).

In 2000 the Estonian Government established the Estonian Information Technology Foundation the goal of which is organising the establishment of the Information Technology College. Other establishers of the Foundation were University of Tartu, Tallinn Technical University, AS Eesti Telekom and the Association of Estonian Computer Companies.

During the examined period the Government has established several committees for co-ordination of IT development. In July 2000 was completed the supervisory control of the Government Department of Communications (in the governance of the State Chancellery) carried out by the State Chancellery. Re-organisation of the State Communications Board was suggested. An expert committee was established in August 2000 with the purpose to analyse the national information communication systems and to discuss the establishment of State Information Communication Foundation (see also 'Expert Committee on State Information Communication Foundation' in the database). The Foundation was established in December 2000.

2.4. Calls for proposals, procurements

The activity of uppermost importance and possibly having the biggest impact on the Estonian development is the approval of the plan concerning introduction of ID cards, done by the Government of Estonia in May 2000. Related to the plan a public procurement for producing the cards was announced on 15 June 2000. TRÜB AB from Switzerland won the contest.

Estonian Informatics Centre is the organisation responsible for IT procurements and frame contracts in public sector. It has attained arrangements with a number of large companies about considerable discounts for software purchasing (for example a contract was signed in June 2000, which enables all state institutions to obtain IBM and Lotus software with up to 30% discount).

Estonian largest investment banks (including LHV and Trigon Capital) have started aggressive campaign to invest into IT projects.

In October 1999 and on several previous occasions the Open Estonia Foundation organised competitions for creation of homepages for non-profit organisations, on-line databases and reference materials. The aim of the projects was to improve the use of the Internet as a media channel and information source by non-profit organisations offering social services (please see entries ‘Call for proposal on widening the use of the Internet in medical institutions’, ‘OEF's call for information society projects in 1998’, ‘OEF's Co-operation Program "East-East"’, ‘OEF's Competition 'Internet homepages'’ in the database).

2.5. National IS policies and strategies

The first national informatics development program 'Estonian Way to Information Society' was prepared in 1994 but since EU, OECD, G-7 and other organisations started to elaborate their action programs at the time, during the second half of 1990s new programs were compiled in Estonia considering recommendations from international organisations.

Estonian Parliament approved the Principles of the Estonian Information Policy in 1998. The document determines the main principles of State actions in supporting the development of Estonian IS. The principles have been concretised in the Information Policy Action Plan approved by the Government, and on the basis of the action plan government agencies make their annual proposals for the attainment of the objectives set out in the principles of the information policy. The Government approved the last version of the plan and the changes proposed by the Estonian Informatics Council to that plan on June 1, 1999.

Adoption of the detailed action plan for joining the European Union by the Government of Estonia deserves to be emphasised. Among the rest, Chapter 8 covers following areas: IS, education, research and technological development, telecommunications and audio services (please see entry 'National Plan for the Adoption of the Acquis, the Government of Estonia' in the database).

In December a public discussion started about Estonian R&D development, the State has compiled a strategic document 'Knowledge-based Estonia'. As key domains to be developed are pointed out user-friendly IS technologies, bio and gene technologies and their applications, and innovative industrial and environmental technologies (please see entry 'Strategic document 'Knowledge-based Estonia'' in the database).

Besides initiatives on the local level have been started. Realising the speed of the information society development Tartu City Government has proactively gone along with the eEurope initiative and in June the City Council approved unanimously the eTartu programme; it is elaborated according to the city development plan and concentrates information society activities under one heading and determines priorities. eTartu is the first initiative in Estonia to join the European Commission’s eEurope initiative. eTartu action plan will be elaborated by the end of 2000 (please see entry 'eTartu initiative' in the database).