Proceedings of 8th European Assembly on telework (Telework2001)

14For this reason, work has usually been transformed in a direction that telework referred toyesterday. Instead <strong>of</strong> telework, the term e-work is being introduced. Of course, this does not meanthat working life is all at once becoming fully flexible with regard to working time or technology,or that this would even be desirable. Anyway, development is taking a course where teleworklikeworking, i.e. working via data networks, which is technically supported and located in manyplaces, is evenly increasing.Traditionally telework has been connected with the avoidance <strong>of</strong> unnecessary physical motion,saving <strong>of</strong> the environment and division <strong>of</strong> work in a way that is expedient with regard to regionalpolicy. These themes are still topical, and on its part discussion on telework has led to practicalapplications in these areas.E-work and the quality <strong>of</strong> working lifeThe increasing and continuously active connections with many quarters increase both the number<strong>of</strong> work processes and accelerate their cycle. We have to know the advantages and disadvantages<strong>of</strong> the new forms <strong>of</strong> work. It is possible for efficacy and working life quality to be increasedsimultaneously. Thus, we can avoid the wearing out <strong>of</strong> the labour, illness and early retirement. Onno account is a situation allowed where technical and organizational changes in working life wouldlead to increasing burn out.Economic objectivesDuring a 200-year-long period <strong>of</strong> enlightenment, reason and utility we have developed anunparalleled technical and organizational capacity. As a matter <strong>of</strong> fact, the systems we have createdare, as such, the biggest threats if they exceed the limits <strong>of</strong> biology and ecology or the humanrange.Another critical question relates to the management <strong>of</strong> economic and technical systems. We musteveryday wake up to ask whether we are for them or whether they are for us. We are not labour,but people. The results <strong>of</strong> work should be used to build a valuable human life being careful not toexceed environmental load capacity. These expanded human and ecological needs constitute thecentral substance <strong>of</strong> the economic future and the basis for life control.I wish the esteemed participants, the speakers representing the top expertise and the chairmen <strong>of</strong>the conference on Telework 2001 heartily welcome to Helsinki. This event based on networks,cooperation and learning does not merely discuss new forms <strong>of</strong> work, but it also manifests them.