QWE2000 -- Conference Presentation Summary

QWE2000 Keynote Session K3-1

Rik Daems
Minister of Telecommunications
Government of Belgium

Belgium's Five-Star Plan to Develop The Information Society

Presentation Summary

The Belgian government has approved a new "Five-Star" master plan for development of the information society in Belgium. This plan covers all government departments and aims at making the information society available for everyone in Belgium, and at enhancing Belgium's competitive positions in the information and communication technologies.

The "Five-Star ICT Master Plan" is based on the best practices from all over the world and is built up around these five key success criteria:

The introduction of "e-government" in Belgium.
Universal access and internet competencies.
ICT infrastructure.
Knowledge and innovation.
Regulation and law.

We look forward to making a primary contribution in the construction of a future-oriented Europe.

About the Speaker

Studies

Latin-Mathematics (Koninklijk Atheneum Keerbergen - 1977)

Sales engineer (Solvay Managementschool> VUB - 1982)

Master in Industrial Location & Development (VUB - 1983)

Professional activities

Associate Expert (U.N.O.) Central American Institute for Public Administration (ICAP) - San José - Costa Rica (1983-1985)

Research division Assubel - Brussels (1983)

Société Générale de Banque - Londerzeel (1982)

Vice-Chairman Banque du Crédit Communal (1997-1999)

Director Dexia (1998-1999)

Managing Director Art & Consult International BVBA (1996-1999)

Manager BVBA Jos Daems & Zonen (wine growing company) (1980-1999)

Academic activities

Lecturer ICAP (Spanish): system analysis/financial sciences/investment theories/introduction to informatics

Course at the KUL: the law on financing the regions and communities

Courses at the RUCA: the federal budget

Courses at the VUB: public management

Political activities

Economic and Financial Adviser of the Minister of the Self-employed (1985-1987)

Deputy (since 1987)

Mayor of Aarschot (1989-1994)

Vice-Chairman of the Flemish Liberals & Democrats, the VLD (since 1987)

Chairman "VLD-Instituut Voor Kadervorming IVK" (1985-1999)

Member of the Finance and Budget Commission of the Chamber (1987-1999)

Governmental functions

Minister for Telecommunications, Public Enterprises and Participation (12th July 1999 - )