European Telework Week
9-16 November 1995

Press Release Brussels, 18 September 1995

Prominent Belgian Political, Industrial and Academic figures join the Belgian National Committee for European Telework Week

European Telework Week, under the patronage of Commissioner Martin Bangemann, aims to highlight the role of telework in the Information Society, and encourage organisations and individuals to examine telework and its potential benefits. Telework related events will be held across Europe during this week. These events include International conferences, local demonstration and training sessions for potential teleworkers, radio phone-ins, television coverage, and other media focused events.

The Belgian National Committee will be active in encouraging organisations of all sizes to examine the potential of new working methods not only with regard to their business needs but also to the quality of life of the individual, and of society in general.

Telework is a new method of working, which does not impose constraints on where work is carried out. Advances in affordable computer and telecommunications enable many functions to be carried out independent of location. Telework, may be done from a suitable home-based office, from a specially equipped telecentre, or by mobile workers.

Telework contributes to a reduction in commuting, improving the environment and benefiting the quality of life in urban and rural areas alike. The flexibility of telework can also enable the individual to participate more fully in the local community and the family unit. The productivity benefits of telework are already well demonstrated in industry, with substantial improvements of 20-40% being achieved.

There are currently around 1.25 million teleworkers in Europe according to a recent survey as part of the EC sponsored TELDET project, and this contrasts with approximately 9 million employees telecommuting in the USA.

The following have agreed to participate in the Belgian National Committee:

• Professor Roger Blanpain, Catholic University of Leuven (KUL)
• Mr. Philippe Bodson, President of Tractebel
• Mr. Jean-Pierre Cardinael, Managing Director of the ASLK/CGER
• Mr. Robert Collignon, Minister President of the Walloon Region
• Mr. John Cordier, President of Telindus
• Mr. Jos Daniëls, President of ABB Insurance
• Mr. Stefaan De Clerck, Minister of Justice
• Mr. Jean-Luc Dehaene, Prime Minister
• Mr. Jean-François de le Court, Managing Director of BBL Bank Brussels Lambert
• Mr. Thierry Deleuze, General Manager of Unisys Belgium
• Mr. Rik De Nolf, Managing Director of the Roularta Media Group
• Mr. Julien De Wilde, President of the Executive Board of Alcatel Bell
• Mr. Daniel Ferette, General Secretary of the Union Nationale des Mutualités Libres / Landsbond der Onafhankelijke Ziekenfondsen
• Mr. André Flahaut, Minister of Public Service
• Viscount Dirk Frimout, Director of Belgacom New Developments
• Mr. Etienne Gaudissart, Managing Director of France Telecom Network Services Belgium
• Mr. John J. Goossens, Managing Director of Belgacom
• Mr. Georges Jacobs, President of the Federation of Belgian Enterprises
• Mr. Jan Lamers, Managing Director of De Financiëel Ekonomische Tijd
• Mr. Bernard Martin, General Manager of Digital Equipment Belgium
• Mr. Jan Picavet, General Manager of CSC Computer Sciences
• Mr. Jean Quetstroey, President of the Executive Board of Siemens Belgium
• Mr. Vincent Simonart, President of the Management Board of EDS Belgium
• Mrs. Miet Smet, Minister of Employment and Work
• Professor Jacques Tiberghien, Free University of Brussels (VUB)
• Professor Paul Van Binst, Free University of Brussels (ULB)
• Mr. Roland Van den Berghe, Managing Director of CAP Volmac Belgium
• Mr. Eric van der Elst, Managing Director of Olivetti Belgium
• Mr. Jacques Van Haren, President of the Executive Board of Philips Belgium
• Baron Roger Van Overstraeten, General Manager of IMEC
• Mr. Michel Weiler, President of the Brussels Teleport.

European Telework Online - Home Page
Dutch, French versions of this page.
Telework Week 1995 - Events in Belgium
Telework Week 1995 - Messages of Support
European Telework Week 95 Home Page (in English)