Research & Innovation
Mastering ICTs to Promote Innovation
Europe must master both the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to generate the economic growth required to fund its social model, and protect its environment and quality of life.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council,
the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
A Strategy for ICT R&D and Innovation in Europe: Raising the Game
While the ICT sector is itself worth 6-8% of the EU’s GDP, ICTs are much more important than that figure suggests, playing a key role in everything from promoting innovation throughout the economy to meeting the demographic challenge of an aging society - see Why do ICTs count?, below.
Unfortunately, the EU spends less than its competitors on ICT R&D. Moreover, with 25 countries carrying out their own research programmes, there is a lot of duplication.
In today’s globalised world, Europe cannot afford this duplication. No single EU country or organisation can now afford to try and build all the know-how and skills to master these increasingly complex technologies.
i2010: A Strategy for ICT Research & Innovation
research and activities
Hence the Investment and innovation in research pillar of i2010 focuses on both the EU's own R&D programmes and stimulating cooperation with the private sector to promote innovation and technological leadership.
This translates into a European strategy composed of four main strands:
1) Public R&D Funding: the EU's own research programmes pool Europe’s research resources, helping build the critical mass essential to maintain technological leadership ... more
2) Encouraging Private R&D Investment: Increased investment by industry in researching ICTs is encouraged through a number of EU initiatives ... more
3) Coordination R&D in Europe: the EU is overseeing a number of initiatives to coordinate research activities at EU and national levels ... more
4) Innovation through ICTs: a number of EU programmes encourage innovation throughout European industry and beyond via the uptake of ICTs ... more
Why do ICTs count?
“Half of the productivity gains in our economies are explained by the impact of ICTs” - Building the Europe of Knowledge
ICTs play a crucial role in:
- improving competitiveness throughout the economy in the face of globalisation, boosting innovation, creativity and efficiency - see the Economy & Work theme;
- scientific and technological development in areas as diverse as medicine and physics;
- modernising sectors as diverse as education, security, energy and transport, and making Europe’s large public sector more efficient - see, for example, the education & training, eGovernment, transport and safety themes;
- tackling social challenges and improving quality of life while meeting the challenge of an ageing society - see the Quality of Life, eInclusion and Regions themes).
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