Press briefing notes

CEOs/Ministers roundtable on the occasion of CeBIT
13.00 – 16.30 14 March 2007, Hanover Germany
“ICTs as a driver for economic growth”
The purpose of this briefing note is to outline the three topics for this roundtable discussion, and provide background information.

Three topics for discussion are:

1. Supporting the growth and integration of information and communications technologies (ICTs) - What challenges are faced by business ? What are the trends for the future ?

2.Creating a qualified workforce and new jobs—education and skills training ; gaining top talents for ICTs

3. Creating a favourable environment for ICT, E-Business and new media
    - What policy, legal and regulatory frameworks support the needed conditions ?
    - What can businesses and government do in partnership to address these  issues ?
 
Briefing notes and questions for each topic:

 1. How can we support the growth and integration of ICTs?—What challenges are faced by business ? What are the trends for the future ?

• Key developments include the truly globalized nature of ICTs, new and emerging dynamic markets around the world.
• The rapid development of converged technologies and the challenges and opportunities presented.
• Where will major revenue streams come from in the future? How can continued innovation and investment best be assured?
• What are the key economic impacts of ICTs for economies and people?
• It is important to bear in mind that different sectors and geographies view these trends and challenges differently. Understanding the difference experiences and vantage points is essential. 
   

2. How can we ensure the necessary education, skills training and the creation of talented experts that are indispensable for the information societies of today and tomorrow?

• This takes all actors. The responsibility for progress lies not just with public institutions such as universities or schools, but also with business.
• How does business contribute to education, skills and training?
• What kind of governmental efforts can help support the required education system and training for societies to maximize the benefits of ICTs?.
• Education systems must be evaluated to assess whether they are able to meet the new challenges and opportunities.
• Human and institutional capacity building, education, and skills training are the foundations for the growth and use of ICTs.

3. How do we create a favourable environment for ICT’s, E-Business and new media?
    - What policy, legal and regulatory frameworks support the needed conditions?
    - What can businesses and government do in partnership to address these issues ?

• What role do pro-competitive policy and regulatory approaches play in stimulating investment, innovation and entrepreneurship?
• What are the new challenges presented by, for instance, next generation networks and new media? How can they best be addressed?
• What are the trends that business and governments need to be aware of in this era of convergence? Are there specific challenges associated with digital content?
• What are the legal, policy and regulatory issues that are presented?
• How can collaboration and cooperation between business and governments at the national, regional and international levels be further stimulated ?
• Emerging forums and existing bodies are addressing the issues that relate to an enabling environment for ICTs, and particularly the Internet. [For example, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID), OECD, APEC, Council of Europe, UN agencies—ITU, UNCTAD, UNDP].

CeBIT CEOs/Ministers roundtable outcome message

The business and government leaders who came together at CeBIT recognized the critical importance of ICTs as drivers of economic growth and also recognised the need to bring the potential of ICT's to more people. Government and business leaders announced a commitment to take home to their countries and companies the message that ICTs are vital instruments for economic growth and innovation. They also affirmed that fostering communications among business, government, and other stakeholders at the national level is essential to ensure that the right policy approaches and frameworks are adopted.