Brussels, 14/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Responding to the needs of Europe's growing ageing population, the European Commission adopted, on Thursday 14 June, an action plan entitled “Ageing Well in the Information Society”, which is an integral part of the i2010 initiative, the digital chapter of the Lisbon Strategy. By 2020, 25% of the EU's population will be over 65. Most older people, however, do not take yet take advantage of the possibilities provided by ICT. Only 10% use the internet. Severe vision, hearing or dexterity problems may often be an obstacle to ICT access.
Given this situation, the action plan suggests: - facilitating exchange of best practice between member states in order to overcome the technical and regulatory barriers to market development; - raising awareness and building consensus via stakeholder cooperation; - establishing an internet portal of best practice; - accelerating take-up through a set of pilot projects and an award scheme; - and boosting research and innovation by immediately supporting a joint public-private research programme dedicated to “ambient assisted living”.
Over one billion euro in research and innovation investment is foreseen in order to allow people to “age well”. Over the period 2007-2013, around €600 million should be invested in the ambient assisted living programme, an expected €400 million in the EU's latest research framework programme, and about €30 million this year in the EU's ICT Policy Support Programme.
The Commission hopes to gain three-fold advantage from these initiatives: - a better quality of life and social participation for elderly people; - new commercial prospects for European companies; - and more effective and personalised social and health services. By availing itself of a high-tech ICT market for its elderly, the EU could find outlets throughout the world. (gc)