Resolutions booklet in English - European Youth Parliament

Helsinki, October - November 2009
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY
THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL MARKET AND
CONSUMER PROTECTION II
With digital technology being a critical sector for our modern knowledge economy:
what should European countries do to prevent a digital divide and guarantee that all
sections of society, in particular rural areas, can benefit from the advantages of digital
participation?
Submitted by: Margit Abel Grape (NO), Aleksander Bit (PL), Cristina Constantinescu (RO),
Eoin Diamond (IE), Adina Faiman (EE), Edouard Hanin (FR), Vanya Kips
(BE), Justin Friedrich Emanuel Krahé (DE), Luis Menéndez Miguelsanz (ES),
Karoline Anna Marie Otte (CH), Anna Pirri (IT), George Santis (CY), Agatha
Agathoniki Siomkos (GR), Canberk Yalçın (TR), Joanna Kulpa (Vice-
President, PL)
The European Youth Parliament,
A. Defining the 'digital divide' as the gap between those who have effective access to Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT) and those who do not,
B. Realising that in order to fully benefit from digital participation one needs:
i) hardware, software and infrastructure such as internet access, mobile coverage etc.,
ii) necessary skills and motivation,
C. Alarmed by the fact that the digital divide leads to both economic disadvantages and political and
social exclusion,
D. Concerned that people often lack the skills, education and motivation necessary to become a digital
citizen,
E. Fully aware of the high costs associated with the provision and usage of ICT,
F. Noting with concern the insufficiency of ICT infrastructure such as broadband internet cables and
mobile coverage structures, especially in rural areas,
G. Deeply disturbed that governments do not realise the full dangers of the digital divide,
H. Bearing in mind that the insufficient amount of infrastructure in rural areas stems from lack of
profit potential for companies,
I. Taking into account that immigrants and other minorities in European countries encounter
language problems, which are a severe obstacle to their digital participation,
J. Disconcerted by the fact that senior citizens are affected by the digital divide due to
i) a lack of motivation to use ICT,
ii) physical disabilities,
iii) difficulties in easily acquiring skills related to new technologies,
K. Alarmed that governments do not give adequate attention to areas with low population density,
L. Noting that people in rural areas are not fully informed as to the benefits of ICT and therefore lack
motivation,
M. Keeping in mind that computer jargon is complex;