Updated: Aug 26, 1998
This is the most recent structured information on this project. Complementary data can be found on previous documents
TAPLINK

Overview

TAPLINK is a forerunner to many important future joint activities between Europe and Latin America. Over the past few years developments with internet have made it possible to close the gap between different world regions. The project is thus a splendid opportunity for ensuring that European technologies and European technology programmes are well known, understood and used by Latin America counterparts and that SMEs, in particular, benefit from the understanding and co-operation that can result from the discussions.

Purpose and objectives

This was a direct result of the priorities assigned by the Union to increased concertation at Member States and Union level. Clearly, prior internal convergence, is a necessary sine-qua-non condition for eventual co-operation with third countries.

Now that European Union forms of convergence have been reached through the launch and successful ending of four technology framework programmes, the Union is beginning to look outwards to influence, but also help, new emerging economies. The future framework programme due to start January 1999, has some in-built flexibility and will entertain technology projects with developing countries. In years to come this trend will no doubt increase also as a result of the strong development of telecommunications and especially the internet.

In all, this will result in increasing opportunities for small and medium enterprises to expand their activities and seek new markets especially in newly emerging economies.

TAPLINK's purpose is to accelerate such penetration by initially informing and demonstrating the state-of-the-art in Europe, - with particular emphasis on the Telematics Applications Programme -, and for increasing knowledge and exchanges between technology workers. This will lead to convergence in technology, applications and standardisation between the two world regions.

To reach these aims the work programme plans to run a series of highly visible workshops in seven amongst the most advanced technology economies of Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, El Salvador, Peru, Chile and Mexico). These workshops will be run with the support of local strategists and technology planners and will involve a number of sessions concentrating on some of the hottest issues at hand to include research and development, transport, administration, health, and libraries. All these issues have a sound foundation in their requirements for information and all can make strong use of communication technology.

Workshops will essentially be driven to demonstrate key European Union actions in the sector. This should lead to a closing of the gap between the European Union and Latin America and to accelerated technological convergence between the regions.

The sessions will thus be structured to include a political/strategic overview of the technological developments, a detailed explanation of the most relevant TAP technological actions undertaken in the European Union, and a round table discussion of the vital issues that can help both sides to work closer together.

Results

TAPLINK has the objective to close this gap and to provide developing countries with information on how to do it. Although a modest work programme, TAPLINK will seek to achieve results that can be further exploited by both sides and especially by small and medium companies operating in the two regions.

TAPLINK will offer demonstrations to maximise the impact and is currently looking for technology partners that can help it to do just so.

We would consequently expect that the project results in the following:

• Increased co-operation between researchers, academics and developers in Europe and Central and Latin America,
• Increased cross-fertilisation and feed-back of results and harmonisation in research and business practices,
• The establishment of contact channels and exploitation of mutual standardisation efforts in recipient and donor countries,
• Increased manpower/ academic exchange between the regions,
• Definition of future opportunities for collaboration especially within the context of the new European Union technology programmes.

List of deliverables

• Quarterly report (03)
• Quarterly report (06)
• Quarterly report (09)
• Quarterly report (12)

• Programme brochure, Final summary (14)
• Programme brochure, Final/Country Specific (14)
• Quarterly Report (15)
• Status report (17)
• Detailed workshop reports (18)
• Final report (20)

List of participants

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