ESIS Extension / Poland / IS Promotional Activities / Update Memo 5

The main events dealing with Information Society in Poland during April-June 2000 were as follows:

During 11-14 April 2000, the International Fair of Electronics, Telecommunication and Computer Engineering INFOSYSTEM 2000 was organized by the Poznan International Fair under the honorary patronage of the Polish Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.

Among accompanying conferences and seminars of national and international characters, the most important events were:

Some companies were awarded with the Gold Medals of the INFOSYSTEM Fair. The awards were founded by the President of the State Committee for Scientific Research and handed by the President of the National Economic Chamber. Among awarded products are those presented by the Polish companies as Internet access system based on WAP protocol of POLKOMTEL S.A.; SLICAN CCA 2720 subscriber telephone exchange, E-mail in Eranet, TELL ME MORE English language course by AURALOG, TECHLAND; BRAVO cash register (OPTIMUS-IC S.A.).

The Ministerial Conference entitled "Information Society: Accelerating European Integration" was organized by the Polish Government and the European Commission in Warsaw on 11-12 May 2000. The main subject of the conference was the significance of the Information Society as a factor in accelerating and facilitating European integration. The Conference gathered the high-level representatives of governments and key experts from the areas of policy, economy and social affairs, dealing with Information Society Technologies implications on European and wideworld future.

The Chairperson of the Programme Committee representing the Polish side was Ms Malgorzata Kozlowska, Under-secretary of State at the State Committee for Scientific Research. Mr Jorg Wenzel, Head of Information Society Activity Center was the Chairperson of the Programme Committee representing the European Commission. Influence of all these processes on European integration and enlargement is evident, so Warsaw Conference results are of great importance for accession countries. The Conference conclusions are accessible at <http://www.is2000.pl/conclusions.nsx>.

The plenary sessions were accompanied by three workshops. The subject of discussion during the parallel session "Regulatory Framework for Telecommunications and Information Society" were expected regulatory changes and their harmonization in international scale. The next session was dedicated to research and industry collaboration, with special attention to small and media enterprises. The third - "Services for Citizens in the Information Society" - was an opportunity to discuss IST implications on social life.

Needless to underline the active participation of regional initiatives of citizens, self-governments. The Declaration of Global Cities Dialogue was signed by the presidents of ten CEEC cities during the accompanying event organized by "Cities in Internet" Association and MUNICIPIUM S.A. on 12 May 2000 in Warsaw.

During the Conference, examples of success stories of IS ideas implementation were promoted. The Information Processing Centre OPI was responsible for the "Best Practice Gallery" exhibition, where practical solutions of modern computer and telecommunication technologies were presented.

The database of interactive IS projects developed in framework of ESIS was accessible on the ISPO stand.

Conference programme and lectures including those of Mr Erkki Liikanen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Information Society EC, og Grazyna Staniszewska - Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Commission for Education, Science and Youth, Coordinator of Programme <Interkl@sa>, Krzysztof Zanussi, Film Director can be downloaded at <http://www.is2000.pl/lectures.nsx>.

The fourth conference of the series "Cities in Internet" took place in Zakopane between 14-16 June 2000. The conference was organized by the "Cities in Internet" Association under the honorary patronage of President of the Republic of Poland, Council of European Municipalities and Regions, European Local Authorities Network, Committee of Local Government and Regional Policy of Polish Parliament, State Committee for Scientific Research, Minister of Telecommunications. The objectives of the conference were to discuss questions related to information society development on regional and local level as well as European integration. Applications of ICT technologies for communication between public administration and citizens were presented.

Internet services of Lodz and Milicz awarded GOLDEN@ in competition for the best Internet service devoted to problems of local communities. Awards were announced during the "Cities in Internet" Conference. The Conference concluded with the Statement on Information Society.

The Self-governmental Agreement for Information Society on 16 June 2000 during the "Cities in Internet" Conference was signed by 6 nationwide self-governmental organisations and "Cities in Internet" Association. <http://www.miastawinternecie.pl/4_konferencja/dokumenty.htm>.

Another regional event was the conference "Telecommunication network for public administration in Malopolska Region". This conference was organized on 28 June 2000 in Trzebinia. Issues discussed included regional telecommunications network for everyday information services, emergency communication; promotion of both the social and economic potential of local communities.

There was a lot of other events, conferences, seminars, workshops combined with fairs and exhibitions related to Information Society Technologies issues like events dealing with information services management in the Internet and e-business (Internet banking and e-commerce), including problems related to fast and secure Internet access, legal aspects and security of electronic transactions on the Internet; new regulations on telecommunications with regard to e-business solutions; legal regulations on digital signature; information protection in the Internet.

The International Conference "New Opportunities in Polish Mobile Telecoms" featured presentations on prospects for development of mobile telephony in Poland; telecommunications regulations and development of the mobile market; converging Internet and mobile telephony; application of the newest mobile technologies in banking and commerce.

The conference "Mobile Communication for Society and Economy" organized by SEP (Association of Polish Electrical Engineers) was held on 17 May 2000 in Warsaw.

The Conference on the new Polish Telecommunications Law was organized in Warsaw on 23-24 May 2000 by the Ministry of Telecommunications Contributions.

Please note that this report has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the ESIS II contractors.
It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission, nor does the Commission accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information contained herein.
The ESIS Team of contractors welcomes any additional information or corrections.