European Telework Week 1997 - Information Day 18 April 1997
The framework for European Telework Week 1997 is based around three key activities at a European level:
Key public figures in Europe are being invited to form a high-level Endorsement Group for ETW97, including participation from governments around Europe, notable academics, senior business figures, and leaders from the Unions and Employers. This group will be encouraged to publicly endorse ETW97 objectives and activities, contributing statements and personal support wherever possible.
The existence of such a group will encourage the formation of similar endorsement groups at national, regional and local levels where the supporters of ETW97 feel benefits can be gained.
With the support of various sponsors, the European Telework Awards will cover the best contributions in the following categories:
Contributions may be nominated or self nominating, with the nomination process opening in mid-May, and closing at the end of August. Short-listed candidates for the awards will be announced at the time of the European Assembly on Telework and New Ways of Working, September 24-26 in Stockholm. The awards will be presented at an award ceremony during ETW 97. Details will be made known at the ETW97 web pages and in the European Telework Online announcement lists.
The European Awards do not compete with National Awards, like the Dutch Telework Award to be presented in the Netherlands on 6th November 1997, nor with the selection of best practice exemplars for the European Assembly in Stockholm. Cases submitted to either of these events will still be applicable for submission to the European Telework Awards.
This is a process that has already started by using existing World Wide Web and other facilities on the Internet, and will increase in activity into Telework Week. One of the main elements will be assistance in finding the right partners to connect with through video links. Another example is the on-line voting facility, that will be used for selection for some of the Telework Awards. Other elements might be the use of broadcasts via the Internet (radio, video), or phone in and chat facilities.
These activities are underpinned by specific resources and services to assist event organisers to benefit from participating in European Telework Week.
An important support and information instrument is the web-site covering ETW'97 and many of the associated issues. It contains information and links to information on other websites relevant to both organisers and participants in ETW '97. Amongst the facilities are the possibility to register events, interest, sponsors, to look at the agenda of activities leading up to and during ETW '97, check out available resources and participate in discussion lists and Interest Groups.
The media (printed and broadcast) will be targeted to cover all activities leading up to and including ETW '97. This will include regular information releases to the press via ETD's media partner, NEWSdesk. This will also give access to on-line information about Telework Week, with a particular focus on the European Telework Awards and on regional and national activities. This will be backed up by focused mailing. One point to be emphasised is that there is always a need for good quality photo and video material, which greatly enhances the opportunity of the item gaining a prominent position in the media.
The coordination center will manage information flows between event organisers in other countries particularly assisting in locating appropriate resources (speakers, sponsors, linkages) for events. It will act as a focal point for European and international organisations wishing to support ETW'97. In addition it will handle the co-ordination of the three key deliverables: the European Endorsement Group, European Telework Awards, and Getting Connected.
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