ICT-enabled sustainability in ‘Smart’ cities

The Indipendet
5 March 2010


Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Consumers, Fair Competition, Local Councils and Public Dialogue, concluded a seminar organised by the Malta EU Steering and Action Committee, Meusac, and CIP Malta National Contact Point on ‘ICT-enabled sustainability in ‘Smart’ cities’, saying that ensuring the best use and uptake of Information and Communication Technologies by EU citizens, businesses and administrations is one of the key objectives of the i2010 strategic framework.

The ICT Policy Support Programme under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme aims at stimulating innovation and competitiveness through the wider uptake and best use of ICT by citizens, governments and businesses, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.

The approach of the ICT Policy Support Programme is based on advancing innovation in response to growing societal demands. Innovation leads to positive change wherever it is applied, from homes to localities and to the whole country. Innovation creates jobs and allows people to enjoy a better quality of life.

“We have to think creatively and to innovate. Our country has got the advantage of having extraordinary potential for innovation. We have creative people in every sector – from agriculture to management, from educational services to technology, and they have the enthusiasm they need to bring about a positive change in their work environment. We have companies, local councils, organisations and individuals who are coming up with products, activities, services and ideas that are extremely innovative,” he said.

The seminar discussed EU funding programmes that aim at stimulating innovation and competitiveness in Europe by accelerating the development of a sustainable, competitive, innovative and inclusive information society.

As regards innovative projects proposed by individuals, organisations and local councils, the government is ready to help in any way to bring to fruition innovative projects proposed by individuals, organisations and local councils.

“Another important aspect that the government is working to achieve is the objective of sustainable localities. Sustainable development relates to that development undertaken within our localities which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable local development also implies long-term planning and objectives that form part of local road-maps. Therefore the process is a bottom-up approach to decision-making, where local authorities take a central and important role.”

Dr Said urged the representatives of local councils present and civil society in general to use the opportunities available through Meusac, to come up with ideas and plans on how to make the most of the funding availabilities. The most important factor is to be creative and really believing in the improvements that these funds can bring to towns or organisations.

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=102558