New content creation, services and business models are driving growth and jobs. For example, Western European online content markets are expected to triple by 2008 (with the consumer part growing tenfold). These developments are expected to multiply across the sector, today already accounting for 8% of EU GDP. However, the impact of digital convergence will be felt globally and will lead to increased worldwide competition. If Europe is to benefit fully from its economic potential, a proactive policy approach is needed to stimulate favourable market developments and the promotion of the knowledge society (e.g. lifelong learning, creativity and innovation), consumer protection and a healthy and safe European information society.

Face the Political Challenge - regional and local politicians who understand i2010, may be in a better position to support ICT cluster development and Inward investment:

- Economic and social development of your areas

- How must i2010 be sold at the different levels of Government?

- What advice would you give to the administrators, technologists and industrialists present?

The i2010 framework sets ambitious targets for uptake of new ICT applications, stimulation of innovation and research, as well as uptake by citizens and business. City and regional administrations, because they work at a practical level with these target actors, must take a lead role in delivering the targets. This will require buy-in from local politicians to negotiate additional ICT funding from central government as well as convincing tax payers of the need for investment.

Consequently, the purpose of this theme is to begin to equip politicians with the necessary understanding of the i2010 framework, and to see the potential of supporting ICTCluster developement and inward investment for wider economic development and jobs in the knowledge ecomomy.

Information and communication technologies are a powerful driver of growth and employment. A quarter of EU GDP growth and 40% of productivity growth are due to ICT. Differences in economic performances between industrialised countries (and regions) are largely explained by the level of ICT investment, research, and use, and by the competitiveness of information society and media industries. ICT services, skills, media and content are a growing part of the economy and society.

I2010 aims to use a mixture of research, innovation and uptake measures as the "engines of growth" to ensure that European regions achieve their full potential in this regard.

This theme will discuss the suitability and achievability at the regional or city level, respectively, of the targets and measures set out in the "Innovation and Investment in Research" priority of i2010. It will also consider whether certain regions need to specialise and how regions starting from a very low level of research and innovation can compete in this very competitive global environment.

- The Information Society - Where are we now? Where could we be?

- Explore the current state of play in the thematic area

- Show best practice examples

- Presentation of the future EU policy agenda i2010

- Highlight the i2010 policies relevant to each theme and explain the ICT flagship initiatives in the agenda - the ageing society, the intelligent car, digital libraries

- Raise key current issues

- Look at a future vision of an Information Society

Each Breakout session will address:

- The Regional Information Society - A Roadmap - Where do we want to go from here? How do we get there?

- Prepare participating Regions to take advantage of potential funding opportunities arising from i2010 in 2007-2013

- Assess participating regions main goals, aspirations and needs in developing the information society in their regions in each thematic area

- Create a roadmap - a regional information society strategy for each theme

- Match potential funding opportunities which may arise from i2010 to regions' goals and needs