Proceedings of 8th European Assembly on telework (Telework2001)

192Innovative Workplace Development and the Future<strong>of</strong> Work- a new R & D -Framework Programmeby the German Federal GovernmentUrsula Zahn-Elliott, Head <strong>of</strong> Division ‘Innovative Work Development’,Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Education and Research, GermanyAbstractThe ongoing economic and social change, which is <strong>of</strong>ten referred to as a transition to a knowledgebasedeconomy, generates several new challenges. These challenges confront not only companiesand individuals but, governments, labour market organizations (social partners), and researchersare also faced with these new questions and must find suitable answers and solutions. The changescan generally be described as flexibilization that affects all dimensions <strong>of</strong> work, e.g. working time,work place, work contract and the content <strong>of</strong> the work.This environment set the basic parameters when the German Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Education andResearch in January 2001 launched a new Framework Programme on research and development(R&D) in the field <strong>of</strong> ”Innovative Workplace Development and the Future <strong>of</strong> Work”.The aim <strong>of</strong> the programme is to identify and to develop innovative concepts that are suitable forthe work-life <strong>of</strong> tomorrow. They are expected to contribute to• improving the effectiveness and quality <strong>of</strong> working life,• supporting a socially-balanced structural change,• and encouraging more high-quality employment.The political context for the programme is the strategic goal set for the <strong>European</strong> Union: To achievea balance between economic growth, social cohesion and environmentally sound development.The program builds on the experience gained from the former programmes on ‘Humanization <strong>of</strong>Work’ and ‘Work and Technology’ as well as the ‘lessons learned’ from the transformation processin Eastern Germany after the reunification.This paper describes the new approaches <strong>of</strong> the programme in the four action fields:• Developing and supporting competence and employability• Promoting entrepreneurial strategies that support sustainable development• Encouraging equal opportunity and accessing unused human resources• Breaking new trails in implementation and transferThe focus is placed on human resource development, networking, and an open research framework,which is laid out as a learning programme. This approach should allow reflective consideration<strong>of</strong> the development processes and changes necessary as the work progresses. Therefore, it seemsessential that there is a continuing discourse with the main actors in business, the social partners,the scientific community, government etc, to ensure that the programme and projects contribute thesolutions and processes vital to the future <strong>of</strong> work.