Daily Issue - 6 February 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Commission
study points the way forward for better regulation of new media and the
digital economy
(6 February 2007)In a rapidly evolving digital world, self- and co-regulatory models can be attractive alternatives to traditional regulations, according to a study for the European Commission presented on Europe's "Safer Internet Day".
PRESS RELEASE
Making
the internet safer for children: Europe calls for determined action on
"Safer Internet Day" 2007
(6 February 2007)On 6 February, 100 organisations in over 40 countries worldwide celebrate Safer Internet Day. In the EU, across all 27 Member States conferences and campaigns showcase already existing safer internet activities of the private and the public sector, from filtering technologies to media literacy programmes. The purpose is to raise awareness - in particular at schools, among parents and teachers - about the best ways for protecting minors in an online environment of growing importance for our daily lives. Safer Internet Day is organised under the patronage of the Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding.
See also: Safer Internet Day 2007: Frequently Asked Questions
PRESS RELEASE
Mobile
operators agree on how to safeguard kids using mobile phones
(6 February 2007)Leading European mobile operators signed on 6 February in Brussels an agreement on how to protect minors using mobile phones. This agreement, brokered by the European Commission, responds to the findings of the Commission's public consultation on child safety and mobile phones published today. In the agreement, mobile operators undertake to develop self-regulatory codes by February 2008.
PRESS RELEASE
From
the lab into the limelight: EU announces nominees for the Descartes Prize
for Science Communication
(2 February 2007)What's the best way to explain the wonders of Planet Earth, the story of the human genome, or the mysteries of medicinal plants? How can scientists make origins of biped transportation, ethical issues relating to animal to human transplants, or programmed cell suicide understandable? What's the relevance of the birth of the Mediterranean, deep sea ecosystems, or the art and science of ice crystals? Excellence in answering such questions has led to 33 European projects being nominated for the Descartes Prize for Science Communication. From these 33 nominees, 5 finalists and 5 winners will be selected to share this year's EUR 275,000 prize. The winners will be announced on 7 March 2007 at a ceremony in Brussels, together with winners of the Descartes Prize for Scientific excellence, on the occasion of the "Today is the Future" event, celebrating the launch of the 7th Framework Programme for Research and 50 years of European Research.
See also: Nominees for Descartes Prize for Science Communication
PRESS RELEASE
Major
discoveries earn leading EU Scientists nominations for Descartes Prize for
Research
(2 February 2007)How can we use the energy from the sun to produce hydrogen? Will better understanding of cell death herald new treatments for cancer and AIDS? What is the true impact of globalisation on European society? These and many other questions of great relevance for our health, industrial competitiveness and understanding of the world around us are answered by the 13 pioneering research projects, representing 20 countries nominated for this year's EU Descartes Prize for Research. Up to five finalists will share the EUR 1 million prize, announced at a ceremony in Brussels on 7 March attended by the European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik and the German Science and Education Minister, Annette Schavan.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Watch
it anywhere! Television goes mobile!
16 March 2007 Hannover, Germany
Mobile TV is the topic of this European Commission High-level Conference at CeBIT 2007. Together with Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media, key industry stakeholders and regulators will outline possible options for the development of mobile TV in Europe, addressing issues such as spectrum availability, interoperable technologies and a favourable regulatory environment. More information on the European commission activities at CeBIT 2007 can be found on the website.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Results
dissemination workshop of the European Registry on Organ Cells and Tissues
project (EUROCET)
7 February 2007 Brussels, Belgium
The eTEN project EUROCET is validating a registry aimed at collecting public, official and updated figures on organ, tissue and cell donation and transplantation activities in participating Member States. The online registry helps medical professionals improve patient care while also bringing about common standards within different regulatory and cultural environments. This workshop, held in the European Parliament premises, aims to disseminate the results of the project, that was launched in the framework of the activities promoted by the EU to foster synergy between Member States in the field of transplantation. It started on September 1st 2005 following the success of another EU funded project (EURODONOR), whose scope was limited to organs and to countries from Western Europe. During the event, the main outcomes of the project will be illustrated and discussed. Special attention will be given to the setting up of the portal and the registry where Member States have started inserting official and up-to-date data on donation and transplantation of organs, tissues and cells.
Contact: Paola Di Ciaccio
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
CIP
- Services in support of business and innovation
(Deadline: 02/04/2007) The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) brings together several existing EU activities that support business and innovation. As a major component of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP), one of the three CIP sub-programmes, the European Commission implements a measure to provide SMEs with integrated services in support of business and innovation. These services will be delivered through a single network to be established through this call for proposals. Access to on-line submission system available as from 12.02.2007.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
The
EU RFID Forum 2007 - Last call for papers and preliminary programme
13 March 2007 - 14 March 2007 Brussels, Belgium
The event calls for an identification of research needs "from RFID towards the Internet of Things" with respect to different application areas.The Forum also act as a platform to continue the dialogue with RFID stakeholders on a European level. The first conference stream is part of a series of meetings of the "RFID Academic Convocation", driven by the Auto-ID Labs at MIT and being organised around the world to build collaboration across academic disciplines, institutional and geographic boundaries.