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The new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) today form an essential feature of a competitive economy. They are also an indispensable ingredient of any modern society. ICT have been considered a priority area for regional action since the inception of the Barcelona Process.
The MEDA funded EUro MEDiterranean Information Society Regional Programme (EUMEDIS) was launched in 1998 as a demonstration of the concrete advantages ICT can offer in priority sectors of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
A total of 22 pilot projects have been in operation under EUMEDIS since 2001, covering five priority areas : (i) Healthcare Networks, (ii) Electronic Commerce; (iii) Tourism and Cultural Heritage; (iv) Industry, Research and Innovation; and (v) Education. EUMEDIS has a total budget of € 65 million, and the Programme's activities actually started in 1999 with the establishment of Focal Points in each of the 12 Mediterranean Partners. Now more than 400 institutions from 23 countries are involved in the Programme, with around 600 specialists working together.
After four years of sustained activities, it is time to take stock of results achieved and identify the best practices implemented while at the same time strengthen the visibility of the programme. This is why the 1st EUMEDIS International Conference has been convened in Jordan for April 17th and 18th , 2005 . The conference will offer all EUMEDIS stakeholders an opportunity to work together. A group of important speakers will be present, as well as local and international policy makers to support and guide conference activities.
The main objectives of the EUMEDIS Conference are:
- to consolidate the existing networks between partners and sectors;
- to exchange experiences and discuss results achieved;
- to increase the visibility of the projects and the programme as a whole in the region;
- to encourage better use of Pilot Project results to help create spin off activities.
A successful Conference will be an important step in the Programme's implementation: we count on the substantial contribution of all participants to make this event the main pillar of the consolidation and dissemination of the Programme's impact.
Please find more information on participation and conference registration on www.eumedisconference.org .
Deadline for registration is Sunday the 20th of March at 12 noon (GMT)
Please find the preliminary program below:
Time |
Saturday 16 April |
Morning |
Travel |
Afternoon |
Registration
Preparation of the Exhibition (22 small stands, one for each pilot project)
Meeting facility open for registrations (it will allow pilot projects to schedule meetings and exchange experiences and ideas) |
Evening |
Informal opening cocktail |
Time |
Sunday 17 April |
10.00 12:30
|
MORNING
Plenary session |
10.00 10.10 |
Introductory speech
Mr. Robert van der Meulen, Head of European Commission Delegation in Amman |
10.10 - 10:20 |
Official Opening
HE Nadia Hilmi Al-Saeed, Minister of Information and Communications Technology of Jordan |
10:20 10:40 |
Eumedis objectives and results achievements till date
Mr. Richard Weber, Director of the South Mediterranean/Near Middle East, EuropeAid Co-operation Office, (EC)
Mme. Carla Montesi, Head of Unit, Centralised Operations for the Mediterranean, EuropeAid Co-operation Office, (EC) |
10:40 11:00 |
Inter-cultural Dialogue around the Mediterranean Sea
Differences among cultures
Dialogue as instrument
Sharing a long common history
Mr. Ismael Serageldin (director of Alexandria Library)
TO BE CONFIRMED |
11:00 11:20 |
Bridging the IS Digital Divide in MEDA countries
The impact of the digital divide on women's access to the Internet.
Promoting universal access and bridging the gender divide' within the digital divide.
HE Khalida Toumi-Messaoudi Minister of Culture Algeria
TO BE CONFIRMED |
11.20 11.50
11:50 12:10 |
Coffee Break and networking
ICT tools to improve dialogue between regions
The new dimensions of public and private communication
The networks and the virtual communities
The new culture and the new behaviours
Mr. Nader Fergani, (UNDP) TO BE CONFIRMED |
12.10 12.30 |
ICT tools as instruments for social and economic growth
This should not be a technical speech, but a speech highlighting the advantages of ICT tools to improve dialogue and speed up communication, and their contribution to social and economic growth
Dr. Sherif Hashem, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MoCIT), EUMEDIS Focal Point Egypt |
12:30 14:30 |
Standing lunch and visit to the exhibition
Press conference
Meeting' facility open |
14:30 17:30 |
4 workshops
Workshop 1 Tourism and Culture
Twinning tourism and culture: ICT tools as new asset for the Mediterranean offer
Moderator: Mr Luis Martin (Spain, EUMEDIS MDP)
- Introduction by: Mr. Fathi Saleh (Egypt, The Centre for Documentation of Cultural & Natural Heritage - CULTNAT)
- Discussions, based on:
* What is cultural heritage? / Will ICT help the respect for the cultural heritage?
* ICT promoting a sustainable tourism
* Best practices
- Elaboration of presentation for day 2
Workshop 2 - E-commerce and Industry
Increasing SME's Competitiveness: ICT and the global market
- Moderator: Ms Annegrete Lausten (Denmark, EUMEDIS MDP)
- Introduction by: Mr. Thies Wittig (Germany, SME's management expert)
- Discussions, based on:
* MEDA SMEs and access to ICT how to increase use and access
* Promotion of SME creation, innovation and quality management
* Best practices
- Elaboration of presentation for day 2
Workshop 3 - Health
Improving Public Health in the age of the Internet
- Moderator: Dr. Giorgio Macor (Italy, EUMEDIS MDP)
- Introduction by: Dr. Georgie Graschew (Germany, Charite Hospital, Berlin) & Dr. Veronique Thouvenot (France, Public Health Researcher)
- Discussions, based on:
* Access to medical information
* Improve the Efficiency of health systems
* Best practices
- Elaboration of presentation for day 2
Workshop 4 Education
Distance Learning and new goals for education in the Mediterranean Region
- Moderator: Mr Ruddi Vaes (Belgium, EUMEDIS MDP)
- Introduction by: Mr. Gian Paolo Bonani (Italy, EUMEDIS MDP)
- Discussions, based on:
* Advantages and disadvantages of various tools
* Reaching disadvantaged groups through e-learning
* Examples of Best practices
- Elaboration of presentation for day 2 |
20:00 |
Buffet dinner |
Time |
Monday 18 April |
9:30 10:00 |
Live presentation of EUMEDIS accomplishments: tele-medicine and distance learning
Live connection to a facility created through EUMEDIS pilot projects: EMISPHER and MEDNETU |
10:00 10:30 |
Increasing MEDA country competitiveness via ICT
Response to demand
Localisation of the production close to the European Market
Presentation of the use of IT Tolls as exemplified by e.g. Inditex (Spain) |
10:30 11:00 |
Coffee Break and Networking |
11:00 12:15 |
Plenary session. Presentation from workshops
Presentations from each of the workshops, 15 minutes each |
12:15 13:15 |
Plenary session
Cross-sector discussion based on the presentation of the workshops
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13:15 13:45 |
Conference conclusions by Mme Montesi / Mr. Del Barrio Centralised Operations for the Mediterranean, EuropeaAid Co-operation Office, (EC) |
13:45 14:30 |
Buffet Lunch |
14:30 18:00 |
Project's meetings;
Visit of the exhibition;
Project Meeting facility open
Coffee |
Evening |
Gala dinner |
Time |
Tuesday 19 April |
Morning |
Optional Tour to Petra |
Mid morning |
Participant departures |
Afternoon |
Participant departures |
Evening |
Participant departures |
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