Declaration of Amsterdam and Call for ActionTo realise [our] vision we need to address a number of major global challenges such as:- effectively regenerating economic growth and stimulating sustainable economic development,- substantially improving energy efficiency, decreasing energy consumption and reducingproduction of greenhouse gases,- significantly improving the quality of life and enhancing trust and confidence,- constructively exploiting opportunities from globalisation.To address these challenges in a full and timely manner, the intelligent use of information andcommunication technologies is an important enabler. We will, therefore, endeavour to make everyeffort possible to exploit the full potential of ICT for these ends. We encourage others to do the same.In doing so, we will strive for solutions that do not favour any specific technology or business model.All stakeholders, jointly and individually, should adopt the actions outlined below. These can also beseen as a first step towards implementing the Granada Strategy and the EU Digital Agenda.World Congress on Information Technology WCIT_ba9a46cc-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2aThe participants at WITSA’s 17th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2010), meeting in Amsterdam between 25-27 May 2010.World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA)The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (‘WITSA”) is the leading voice of the global ICT industry. WITSA is a consortium of over 70 national ICT industry associations with members representing more than 90 percent of the world ICT market.WITSA was founded in 1978 under its original name - World Computing Services Industry Association - by a group of 30 individuals with the objective of understanding how trends and government regulations impact the social economic development of the global ICT industry.WITSA was incorporated in 1998 in the Commonwealth of Virginia within the United States of America.As the leading recognized voice of the global ICT industry, WITSA is dedicated to:* Advocating international public policies that advance the industry’s growth and development; * Facilitating international trade and investment in ICT products and services through our global network of contacts; * Promoting industry cooperation and strengthening our national associations through the sharing of knowledge, experience, and critical information;* Publishing global ICT research to shape the industry;* Hosting WITSA’s signature events - World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) and Global Public Policy Summit (GPPS); and* Organizing Global ICT Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding ICT users.A sustainable prosperous society, where information and communication technologies (ICT) empower each person to improve their quality of life, where every individual or organisation, if they so wish, can participate more fully inthe economic and social dimension of society and where trust is at the core of social order and economic prosperity in a connected world._ba9a496a-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2aTo address a number of major global challenges._ba9a4b40-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2aEconomic Growth and Sustainable DevelopmentEffectively regenerate economic growth and stimulate sustainable economic development._ba9a4c08-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a1Sustainable economic growth is essential to maintain the levels of prosperity in the developed worldand to enable emerging and developing economies to achieve their fair share of global wealth. In theten years between 1995 and 2005, ICT drove nearly half the productivity gains in most industrialisedcountries and an increase in broadband penetration has a positive effect on GDP growth. We need toregenerate sustainable growth to combat rising unemployment in large parts of the world, to achievethe 2020 sustainability targets, reduce excessive public deficits and create growth opportunities fordeveloping countries which often suffer most from the current crisis. Access to ICT and theknowledge, content and information provided via the internet is an important element of an inclusiveinformation society and is essential for broader sustainable economic growth.InvestmentStep up investment in the use of ICT and in applied R&D._ba9a4cc6-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a1.1GovernmentsBusinessesGovernments and businesses should step up investment in the use of ICT and in applied R&D to boost productivity, stimulate innovation and promote education.High Speed BroadbandWork closely together to accelerate the roll out and deployment of high speed broadband._ba9a4d98-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a1.2ICT IndustryGovernmentsUnderserved CommunitiesUnderserved RegionsThe ICT industry and governments should work closely together to accelerate the roll out and deployment of high speed broadband (including mobile and next generation networks), and extend this to remote and underserved communities and regions.ICT ProfessionalsWork closely together, along with academic and other educational institutions, to close the gap between the demand for, and supply of, ICT professionals._ba9a4e74-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a1.3ICT IndustryGovernmentsAcademic InstitutionsOther Educational InstitutionsThe ICT industry and governments should work closely together, along with academic and other educational institutions, to close the gap between the demand for, and supply of, ICT professionals. Failure to do so will have a detrimental effect on sustainable economic growth.Women and DiversityStep up efforts to engage women in ICT professions at large in order to address staff shortages, develop diversity and increase innovation power._ba9a4f96-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a1.4ICT IndustryGovernmentsThe ICT industry and governments should both step up efforts to engage women in ICTprofessions at large in order to address staff shortages, develop diversity and increase innovation power.eSkillsWork closely together to raise the level of eSkills of professionals in the public and private sectors, particularly in SMEs._ba9a5086-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a1.5ICT IndustryBusiness CommunityGovernmentsPubic SectorPrivate SectorSubject Matter Experts (SMEs)The ICT industry, the wider business community and governments should work closely together to raise the level of eSkills of professionals in the public and private sectors, particularly in SMEs.Access, Rights, and Innovative Business ModelsEnhance internet access to digital content, protect creators’ rights, encourage simple and legal means of access and promote innovative business models._ba9a5180-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a1.6GovernmentsBusinessesGovernments and business should work closely together to enhance internet access to digital content, protect creators’ rights, encourage simple and legal means of access and promote innovative business models.Interoperability StandardsLead by example by supporting solutions in public services based on interoperable standards._ba9a5284-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a1.7GovernmentsGlobal availability of interoperable ICT solutions will help to advance the above aspirations, promote competition and enhance consumer choice. Governments can lead by example and support such solutions in public services based on interoperable standards, while avoiding mandating specific technologies or business models.Infrastructure and Service ProtectionExamine how to best protect the critical role that ICT infrastructure and services increasingly play in the economy and society._ba9a539c-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a1.8GovernmentsICT IndustryBusiness SectorGovernments, the ICT industry and the wider business sector should jointly examine how to best protect the critical role that ICT infrastructure and services increasingly play in the economy and society.Energy and Greenhouse GasesImprove energy efficiency, decrease energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gases_ba9a54b4-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a2ICT SectorSocietyThe current financial and economic crisis, coupled with rising concerns over the health of our planet, tell us that we have to act smarter, greener and faster. ICT as an enabler will have a key role to play in improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gases and increasing sustainability within theICT sector itself, and even more importantly, in all sectors of society. ICT can enable this change through better monitoring and control, by fostering awareness and triggering new patterns of behaviour. It has the capacity, at any moment, to confront organisations and individuals with the full impact of their actions on sustainability. International strategies to tackle climate change need to make full use of ICTs as one of the most powerful tools available that can produce the desired changes without having negative effects on prosperity or individual lifestyles. Action will need to be taken by all stakeholders.Energy EfficiencyImprove the energy efficiency by an average of 2% per year between now and 2020, with recognition given to leaders and best practices._ba9a55d6-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a2.1ICT IndustryThe ICT industry should lead by example by improving the energy efficiency of its business processes, products and services by an average of 2% per year between now and 2020, with recognition given to leaders and best practices.Public ServicesReducing by 30% the carbon footprint of public services by 2020._ba9a570c-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a2.2GovernmentsGovernments should lead the way by reducing by 30% the carbon footprint of public services by 2020.Smart SystemsWork together to accelerate the development and deployment of smart systems._ba9a5856-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a2.3Private SectorAccelerate the development and deployment of smart systems.Public SectorStakeholders from both the private and public sectors should work together to accelerate the development and deployment of smart systems. These include smart energy grids, smart mobility systems, smart buildings, smart governments, smart water systems and smart cities.Awareness and EmpowermentIncrease consumers’ awareness and understanding of their energy consumption and empower them to manage and control their use more efficiently._ba9a59a0-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a2.4Consumer OrganisationsStakeholders, including consumer organisations, should work together to increase substantially consumers’ awareness and understanding of their energy consumption, and empower them to manage and control this use more efficiently. This could be achieved by making the energy impact of products and services more transparent through internationally comparable energy ratings.Energy Rating StandardsAgree on global standards for the transparency of energy ratings._ba9a5af4-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a2.5GovernmentsGovernments should collaborate to agree on global standards for the transparency of energy ratings.Procurement PoliciesMake energy efficiency an essential condition in procurement policies._ba9a5c52-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a2.6Authorities Authorities should be encouraged to make energy efficiency an essential condition in their procurement policies.Quality of Life, Trust and ConfidenceSignificantly improve the quality of life and enhance trust and confidence._ba9a5dba-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3Persons with DisabilitiesEveryoneAs ICT becomes more pervasive and private and public services are increasingly delivered over the internet, access for all to ICT is becoming a social and economic necessity. The internet must be available and accessible at affordable prices to everyone, including those with disabilities. As manypeople as possible must become fully digitally literate. Furthermore, high quality healthcare and efficient public services are important factors for a good quality of life across the globe. Intelligent and innovative use of ICT can make healthcare and public services more efficient and more personal.Trust and security are the foundations on which our economic and social lives are built. Use of the internet may be hampered, however, by the lack of confidence and trust among citizens who may feel that their rights are not as well protected as in more traditional forms of communication. Cybercrime,data loss and privacy breaches bring uncertainty and undermine trust and confidence in the virtual world.Right of AccessIntroduce a universal right of access to the internet._ba9a5f5e-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.1Governments Governments should consider introducing a universal right of access to the internet.CompetitionSupport policies that enable fair and effective competition between providers of ICT products and services._ba9a60ee-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.2GovernmentsGovernments should support policies that enable fair and effective competition between providers of ICT products and services, with the goal of encouraging high availability and use of these items at affordable prices.AccessibilityAchieve ICT accessibility for all user groups and communities, including the elderly and people with disabilities._ba9a627e-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.3GovernmentsICT IndustryElderlyPeople with DisabilitiesGovernments are encouraged to work closely with the ICT industry and use all the means at their disposal, such as projects, procurement and legislation, to achieve ICT accessibility for all user groups and communities, including the elderly and people with disabilities.Aawareness, Education and TrainingDevelop and implement substantial awareness, education and training programmes._ba9a6418-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.4GovernmentsICT IndustryChildrenAdultsGovernments, the ICT industry and other stakeholders should work closely together to develop and implement substantial awareness, education and training programmes. These should be incorporated into educational systems to reach both with the aim of achieving a globally digitally literate population by 2020. Healthcare[Use] public spending on ICT to make healthcare more efficient, effective and sustainable._ba9a65bc-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.5GovernmentsGovernments should recognise that public spending on ICT for health can make healthcare more efficient, effective and sustainable. This empowers patients and triggers innovation. They should commit themselves to fostering the opportunities ICT offers for health and stimulate the use of common eHealth standards and cross-border data exchange.Empowerment of Elderly PeopleCooperate with housing authorities and homecare providers to empower elderly people to live longer independently and be active in society._ba9a6774-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.6ICT IndustryHousing AuthoritiesHomecare ProvidersElderly PersonsThe ICT industry should cooperate closely with housing authorities and homecare providers to empower elderly people to live longer independently and be active in society. The same attention should be given to the delivery of formal and informal quality care. They should encourage the relevant authorities and insurers to address any administrative or institutional barriers.Transparency and Online AccessGommit to transparent government services and provide online access for citizens and businesses to the relevant information and eGovernment facilities._ba9a6936-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.7GovernmentsGovernments should commit themselves to transparent government services and provide online access for citizens and businesses to the relevant information and eGovernment facilities.Policy MakingInvolve citizens in policy making_ba9a6b02-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.8GovernmentsCitizensYoung PeopleGovernments should involve their citizens, including young people, who can be considered to be digital natives, in their policy making.Digital Rights and ResponsibilitiesDevelop a charter of citizens’ and consumers’ rights and responsibilities in the digital environment._ba9a6cd8-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.9GovernmentsICT industryGovernments, working closely with the ICT industry and other stakeholders, should develop by 2012 a charter of citizens’ and consumers’ rights and responsibilities in the digital environment. This should focus on transparency, trust, security and privacy.Trust, Security and PrivacyEnsure that trust, security and privacy are as fully safeguarded on the internet._ba9a6ec2-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.10GovernmentsBusinessesCivil SocietyGovernments, businesses and civil society should work closely together to ensure that trust, security and privacy are as fully safeguarded on the internet as they are in the real world.Cybercrime ConventionSign the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Convention._ba9a70b6-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a3.11Council of EuropeEuropean GovernmentsEuropean governments should agree to sign the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Convention, which entered into force in 2004. Future international agreements on action to combat cybercrime should use this convention as a basis.GlobalisationConstructively exploit opportunities from globalisation._ba9a72b4-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a4All CountriesEvery CitizenThe internet is a global phenomenon with great local impact. It creates opportunities for all countries and every citizen in the world. However, today, these opportunities are unevenly distributed. To address this imbalance it is necessary to reduce the digital divide between the developing and thedeveloped world. Access to the internet, and to the information and knowledge it contains, needs to be improved. The deployment and diffusion of ICT can also promote pluralism. Governance of the internet needs to be representative for every country in the world.Infrastructure in Developing and Emerging CountriesCreate the appropriate framework to foster investment in high speed ICT infrastructure in developing and emerging countries._ba9a74b2-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a4.1GovernmentsDeveloping CountriesEmerging CountriesPrivate SectorGovernments should create, in close consultation with the private sector, the appropriate framework to foster investment in high speed ICT infrastructure in developing and emerging countries.Awareness, Education and Training in Developing CountriesConstruct and implement awareness, education and training programmes adapted to developing and emerging countries. _ba9a770a-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a4.2GovernmentsDeveloped CountriesDeveloping CountriesICT IndustryGovernments in developed and developing countries, the ICT industry and other stakeholders should work closely together to construct and implement awareness, education and training programmes. These should be adapted to developing and emerging countries’ needs to raise their levels of digital literacy and eSkills.Products and Services for Developing CountriesDevelop and bring to the market ICT products and services that meet the needs of developing countries and are fit for use in their emerging ICT infrastructures._ba9a793a-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a4.3ICT IndustryThe ICT industry is encouraged to develop and bring to the market ICT products and services that meet the needs of developing countries and are fit for use in their emerging ICT infrastructures, which are often based on mobile technologies.Internet GovernanceEnsure that the overall framework of internet governance continues to evolve in line with the Tunis World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) principles of transparency, multilateralism and democracy._ba9a7b6a-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a4.4GovernmentsGovernments should ensure that the overall framework of internet governance continues to evolve in line with the Tunis World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) principles of transparency, multilateralism and democracy.Internet GovernanceAdvance increased internationalisation of internet governance._ba9a7dae-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a4.5GovernmentsGovernments should advance increased internationalisation of internet governance as a whole, especially coordination and management of the domain name system, which should comply with the best governance standards.Internet Governance Forum (IGF)Support the maintenance and development of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) ._ba9a7ff2-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a4.6Internet Governance Forum (IGF)GovernmentsCivil SocietyPrivate SectorAll stakeholders should agree to support the maintenance and development of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as an open place for meeting, dialogue and exchange of best practices between governments, civil society and the private sector.Legislation and PoliciesWork on fast-track appropriate ICT legislation and policies._ba9a8240-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a4.7GovernmentsDeveloping CountriesEmerging CountriesGovernments, particularly in developing and emerging countries, should work on, and be helped with, fast-track appropriate ICT legislation and policies. These should boost job creation, tackle cybercrime, strengthen cyber security and improve general service delivery to citizens.ProjectsParticipate in at least one major project in the spirit of this Declaration and report back on its progress._ba9a84a2-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2aOrganisations Supporting the Declaration of AmsterdamAll organisations supporting the Declaration of Amsterdam undertake to participate in at least one major project in the spirit of this Declaration and to report back on its progress. At the 18th World Congress on IT in 2012 in Montreal, Canada, a general revision and overall assessment of what has been achieved can then be carried out._ba9a86dc-5615-11df-8576-d7467a64ea2a2010-04-262010-05-02http://doa.wcit2010.org/amsterdam_declaration.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net