Gérald Santucci European Commission, DG Information Society Applications relating to Administrations eGovernment - Prospects and perspectives - the view of the European Commission

eGovernmenteGovernment Why eGovernment? eGovernment - state of play eGovernment - state of play eEurope and eGovernment Possible future challenges Agenda

Why eGovernment?  Brings real benefits to citizens  Availability, speed, simplicity  “better online than in line…”  Eases administrative burden for business  Reduced costs and red tape  Brings citizens closer to government  Stimulates participation in democracy The key benefits

Why eGovernment?  Citizens’s demands  Quick and efficient reaction from gov’t  Less complex administrations  Competitive pressure  Speed of administrative procedures is factor  Cost cuts  Convergence with the private sector The driving forces

Why eGovernment?  Trust and confidence  Security in transactions with gov’t  Electronic signatures, smart cards  Accessibility  Services available to all (also disadvantaged)  Easy to use applications  Simple government interface  One-stop-shop for all public services The prerequisites for success

Why eGovernment A necessity, not a matter of choice !

What happens in the Member States?  Internet penetration varies largely within EU  Action on eGovernment in all Member States  Modernising Government (front office + back office)  Targets for electronic public services (improving access, portals, one stop shopping)  … but progress is uneven Where do we stand?

What happens in the Member States?  eGovernment not only supply of services...  …but also:  reorganisation of back-offices  simplification of the services  adapting services to demands of users Where do we stand?

What happens in the Member States?

eEurope and eGovernment  eEurope initiative (December ‘99)  Helsinki summit December 1999  Lisbon special summit March 2000 (dot.com summit)  eEurope action plan  Feira summit June 2000  eEurope progress report  Stockholm summit March 2001 The EU political initiatives

eEurope and eGovernment  Main message:  Europe must fully benefit from the Information Society  Main goals:  every citizen online  a digitally literate Europe  a socially inclusive process  to become the most competitive and dynamic economy in the world eEurope

eEurope and eGovernment  A cheaper, faster and secure Internet  Cheaper and faster Internet access  Faster Internet for researchers and students  Secure networks and smartcards  Investing in people and skills  European youth into the digital age  Working in the knowledge-based economy  Participation for all in the knowledge-based economy  Stimulate the use of the Internet  Accelerating eCommerce  Government online: electronic access to public services  Health online  Digital Content for Global Networks  Intelligent transport systems

eEurope targets for eGovernment  Essential public data online (2002)  Main basic public services online (2002/3)  Simplified online administrative procedures for business (2002)  Develop a co-ordinated approach for public sector information (2000)  Pan-European portals of interactive public services (mid 2001)  Promote use of open source software in public sector (2001)  All basic transactions with the European Commission online (2001) Action plan, targets for eGovernment:

eCommission  Modernisation of the internal administration  More efficient communication with external partners  Better public services to citizens and business In the context of the eEurope Action Plan the Commission is committed to better exploit digital technologies in the context of reform The Reform white paper identified the following objectives for eCommission:

eGovernment in the Commission - examples  Dialogue on Europe   Online register of President Prodi’s external mail  _en.htm  Unique portal to European Governments   Online transactions (subsidies, procurement etc.)

eGovernment Action Plan  Transparent co-ordination through benchmarking  Build on national initiatives and ideas  Best practices lead the way How to move forward: eGovernment Action Plan

Benchmarking eGovernment  2 main Indicators established by Internal Market Council:  Percentage of basic public services available online,  Use of online public services by the public for information purposes or submission of forms.  Together with Member States: A common list of 20 main basic services  Citizens’ and businesses perspective prevails  Scoring on the basis of a four stage model

Benchmarking eGovernment  Income taxes  Job search  Social security contributions  Personal documents  Car registration  Building permission  Health-related services  Corporation tax  Registration of company  Data to statistical offices  Customs declaration  Public procurement Services for and citizens and business (Examples)

Benchmarking eGovernment The four stage model  Stage 1 Information: online info about public services,  Stage 2 Interaction: downloading of forms,  Stage 3 Two-way interaction: processing of forms, incl. authentication,  Stage 4 Transaction: case handling; decision and delivery (payment)

European Conference on eGovernment, November in Brussels  Show benefits of electronic public services  Draw lessons from current applications  Illustrate where Europe currently sytands  Stimulate dissemination of best practices  Provide input for possible action beyond the 2002 eEurope Action Plan  Involve the Candidate countries in the framework of eEurope+ Aim of the conference

Where to go on eGovernment Possible future challenges  Proactive/individualised services services for individual needs consulting & handling of personal files  eDemocracy/governance enhanced citizen participation in society electronic consultation on legislative initiatives  Pan-European aspects linked-up portals, pan-European services enhance cross-border activities and partnerships  A global approach involving the Candidate countries global co-operation and benchmarking

ConclusionConclusion An eGovernment philosophy  Interactive enhancing effective government and democracy joining-up services to support one-stop interface  Inclusive preventing digital divide, support special needs promote public Internet & multimedia access points.  Entrepreneurial supplying online transactions for business supporting public/private partnerships  Multilingual/Multicultural promoting cross-border use of services & information encouraging services in more than one language

eEurope and eGovernment on the web   click on “Action Plan”  click on “e-government”