Brussels, 26/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - ADLE MEPs Niccolò Rinaldi (Italy) and Antonya Parvanova (Bulgaria) held a seminar at the European Parliament on 22 September, to assess the use of new information and communication technologies (ICT) for the benefit of health and improving standards of living. The members of the panel presented the enormous benefits that could be brought about by new technologies in the field of healthcare, life-long learning, social security and social protection, mobility and the movement of people. 'ICT is an important element in improving the quality of life, especially for older people (…). We have to strengthen the dialogue with the academic world and focus on research and innovation (…). We need ideas, strategic missions and financial resources”, said Rinaldi. Parvanova added that “ICT innovation, notably in the field of health care (…), has to be seen as a long-term investment” to help tackle the challenges to the social security systems caused by the ageing population. (IL/transl.fl)