European Telework Development (ETD)

What are ETD's main goals?

ETD's goals cover five main dimensions:

Information

To make sure that anyone with an interest in Telework, Teletrade and Telecooperation can readily find relevant information that will help them to make good decisions and to successfully apply the techniques of telework, teletrade and telecooperation.

Online, ETD's contribution to information availability is predominantly through the European Telework Online website.

Awareness and Take-Up

To work with suppliers of technologies and services, with telework and other associations and specialists, and with relevant European and National awareness programmes to increase public awareness of "the technologies of telework" and how they can be applied to leverage personal and commercial success and the effective delivery of services.

In 1996, the main awareness and take up activity of ETD is European Telework Week 1996.

Policies and Programmes

To alert interested parties to emerging policy issues and the planning process for relevant programmes and assist the development of consensus around the positive, beneficial application of Information Society methods and techniques.

During 1996, ETD is contributing to work on the legal, regulatory and social security implications of telework; to the work of the High Level Group of Experts convened by European Commissioner Padraig Flynn; to the formation of policies on "transport-telecommunications substitution"; to an initiative to establish interoperability of services for global electronic commerce for SMEs; and to the development of draft Guidelines on development and deployment of an appropriate European infrastructure for telework and teletrade.

Interest Groups and Networking

To support and where appropriate stimulate the formation of interest groups and other networks that can help cross fertilise know how and experience, strengthen cooperation, and enhance opportunities for individual citizens, enterprises and administrations.

ETD is supporting an initial meeting for a proposed Interest Group on Transport-Telecommunications Substitution, hosted by the Netherlands Transport Ministry in August 1996 and will support similar meetings for potential Interest Groups on telework market development; a network of European telework associations; and a network of telework researchers and students.

Future Technologies, Techniques and Knowledge

To widen involvement by users - especially small and medium sized enterprises and self employed innovators - in the processes of research and technology development, including the formulation of programme plans; to strengthen links between research and development communities and the markets they seek to serve. ETD provides secretariat and other facilities for the ACTS Telework Chain - research projects in the EC's ACTS programme (Advanced Communications Technologies and Services) having a common interest in telework - and will extend the same offer of support to projects having a telework interest across all EC research and technology development programmes. ETD is supporting an International conference "'New international perspectives on telework", at Brunel University, London, 30 July - 1st August 1996.

During 1996 and beyond ETD will strengthen its focus across each of these main goals. We welcome suggestions and requests for support for actions at European and/or International level, please address enquiries to eto-info@eto.org.uk. Enquiries at national level should please be directed to the appropriate national enquiry point.

Please note that ETD is not able to deal on an individual basis with requests for support or information from researchers or students in connection with existing research projects other than those in the main EC RTD programmes. Students and individual researchers are encouraged to follow the advice provided in the "Frequently Asked Questions" item at the ETO website: "How Can I Get Help With My Telework Research Project?"

European Telework Online | EuropeTeletrade Online

ETD is supported by the European Commission (DGXIII) as part of the Advanced Communications Technologies and Services (ACTS) programme. ETD's central web pages are hosted at the European Telework Online website.

Page address http://www.eto.org.uk/etd/etd-why.htm
This page last updated 3 November 1996.
Please send your comments and suggestions about the ETO site and pages to eto-info@eto.org.uk