GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA Official translation GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA RESOLUTION No. 229 ON THE APPROVAL OF THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE NATIONAL INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT OF LITHUANIA 28 February 2001 Vilnius The Government of the Republic of Lithuania has resolved: to approve the Conceptual Framework of the National Information Society Development of Lithuania (appended). Prime Minister Rolandas Paksas Minister of Education and Science Algirdas Monkevičius APPROVED by Resolution No. 229 of 28 February 2001 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE NATIONAL INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT OF LITHUANIA I. INTRODUCTION

1. The world today witnesses changes: markets transform rapidly as well as work places, home and leisure environment. Human activities are less restricted by distances and time, they become more global and specialization intensifies. Therefore, competition in the open market makes cooperation essential. New opportunities arise, such as virtual companies, e-public administration, e-development of work, studies and culture. Being informed, competent and able to use the opportunities provided by information technologies - all those skills are of significant importance today. All those factors initiate changes since changes safeguard the quality of life, social welfare, cultural values and language. Changes also accelerate economic activities, the development of democracy and cooperation on the regional and national levels; changes facilitate the governing of the state too. However, the power of information, competencies (knowledge) and information technologies (IT) is fully revealed only in the information society if, ideally, all its members: producers, service providers, the common people and managers at all levels are able, know how and want to take their advantages.
2. A large number of Lithuanian people cannot and do not know how to use the potential of IT. The conditions for the development of the information society are particularly unfavourable in rural areas. In the European context, Lithuania is lagging far behind since among the countries of Europe we are at times only the third from the bottom of the list.
3. Key reasons for lagging behind are the following: 3.
4. most people do not know how to use modern information processing tools and they lack opportunities to learn to apply them. For instance, only eight percent of the Lithuanian population use the Internet constantly while in rural areas this figure does not reach even one percent; 3.
5. rural population has almost no opportunities to use IT and computer networks due to the lack of skills and communications channels as well as due to high prices of communications facilities; 3.
6. pupils lack teaching materials, qualified teachers, computers and contacts with global computer networks. Only three percent of schools are connected by exclusive links to computer networks, and there is only one computer per 60 pupils; 3.
7. there is no competent governmental institution with relevant authority to manage, regulate and coordinate the activities of the development of the information society; 3.
8. in utilizing funds allocated for the development of information science ministries and other government institutions have enjoyed a total freedom of action or inactivity and have been able to utilize the assigned funds as they deemed necessary while their activities were only minimally coordinated. Consequently, budget appropriations from the state budget of the Republic of Lithuania as well as from foreign funds have been used unreasonably, thus no evident results have been achieved; 3.
9. the information register system which is of great national importance has not been organized yet and, as a result, the effective activities of public bodies and municipalities are brought to a standstill. For instance, out of 160 registers approved by laws only two are accepted for usage in accordance with the established procedure; interaction among registers is missing and their information is not reliable; 3.
10. staff of governmental institutions do not know sufficiently well how to employ the possibilities of information processing; instruments regulating electronic exchange among institutions are also lacking; 3.
11. businessmen are not encouraged to support the development of the information society of Lithuania.
12. The current Conceptual Framework aimed at the improvement of the existing situation contains the approach towards phenomena related to the development of the information society of Lithuania; it also covers objectives and tasks and includes priorities and expected results. The Conceptual Framework also considers specific conditions of Lithuania and key objectives defined by the political initiative of electronic Europe: 4.
13. to involve every citizen, family, school, company and every government institution into the digital era; 4.
14. to create electronically knowledgeable Europe supported by an educated business willing to fund and develop new ideas; 4.
15. to ensure that this process is socially attractive, fosters the trust of customers and enhances social cohesion. II. KEY OBJECTIVES
16. When specifying the objectives of the information society, the information society has been viewed as open, educated, continuously learning and grounding its activities on competencies (knowledge). Its members, both the common people and managers at all levels, enjoy the opportunity and are able to use effectively in all areas of their activities modern IT, national and global computerized information resources, while government and municipal institutions utilize all those facilities and resources and are able to make decisions and guarantee the public accessible and reliable information.
17. The mission of the state and municipalities is to establish conditions for the development of the information society and to promote this process; to facilitate the integration into the global information society and to utilize the opportunities provided by it. To carry out this mission, the following principal objectives are envisaged: 6.
18. to ensure the possibility for the public to acquire knowledge and skills. Having utilized possibilities provided by communications and information technologies, people will be able to adjust more flexibly to rapidly changing living and working conditions and will be able to compete successfully in global markets; 6.
19. to modernize the management of the state. It will require the utilization of computerized information sources, the creation of the adequate legal environment, the development of electronic government (hereinafter referred to as “e-government”, correspondingly with other words) and e-democracy; to provide the public with factual possibilities to obtain information from all public authorities, to create conditions for the development of the information society of Lithuania and to submit proposals, criticize and participate in decision making; 6.
20. to develop business based on competencies (knowledge), information, communications and information technologies; 6.
21. to minimize urban and rural information infrastructure differences and to offer all the population equal opportunities to use IT for social and public needs; 6.
22. to promote Lithuanian culture and to preserve the Lithuanian language in the global information society; 6.
23. to encourage the participation in the programmes and projects of the European Union aiming to create favourable conditions for the development of the information society of Lithuania. III. TASKS
24. In order to achieve the objective set forth in 6.1., i.e. to ensure the possibility for the public to acquire knowledge and skills, it is necessary to fulfill the following tasks: 7.
25. to create conditions for every pupil to acquire appropriate IT-based knowledge at school while utilizing teaching aids, teaching and methodological material, computers, local and global computer networks targeted for this purpose at all schools; 7.
26. to provide the possibility for students, lecturers, research staff and the personnel of cultural establishments to use modern IT, computerized data storage facilities; to develop joint projects with foreign partners and to utilize to this end the Lithuanian research and studies computer network LITNET integrated with the European Union academic computer network GEANT; 7.
27. to design an easily accessible system of IT-based distance learning that allows the public to learn, develop and improve their professional skills constantly to ensure competitiveness in the labour market irrespective of the place of residence or work; 7.
28. to raise public awareness on the importance of the development of the information society; 7.
29. to establish conditions for users of public libraries as well as the libraries of higher educational and research establishments to use computerized services of libraries both in Lithuania and abroad as well as other information sources; 7.
30. to promote research and practical tasks and to utilize for this purpose free software of the open sources; 7.
31. to ensure that in using public electronic media and network infrastructures (e-conferences, news groups, e-mail and the Internet), international, European and Lithuanian standards are met; to design the Lithuanization system of the software; 7.
32. to set up qualification requirements of computer literacy for civil servants and municipal employees and for teachers; to create conditions to acquire this skill.
33. In order to achieve the objective set forth in 6.2, i.e. to modernize the management of the state, it is necessary to fulfill the following tasks: 8.
34. to design an integral system of state registers for the registration, accounting and provision of registration data of the objects specified in laws; 8.
35. to harmonize the legal basis for the formation, operation and interaction of official information sources: to draft laws and regulations regulating the activities of informatics and telecommunications and the formation and management of official information; 8.
36. to design modern IT tools to assist the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, ministries and public authorities in the fulfillment of their functions by establishing data management information systems for the implementation of key state functions; 8.
37. to design a joint information system for the government and municipal institutions, to set up a system for the provision of information for the public and private sector, to implement the “one-stop shop” principle; 8.
38. to provide conditions for the creation and implementation of a joint system for the electronic identification of personal and social data (social and health insurance) in compliance with the European Union requirements; 8.
39. to integrate state communications and data transfer networks and to set up an integrated network management.
40. In order to achieve the objective set forth in 6.3., i.e. to develop business based on competencies (knowledge), information, communications and information technologies, it is necessary to fulfill the following tasks: 9.
41. to create conditions to use the e-signature and to ensure that e-payment systems function; 9.
42. to create conditions for natural and legal persons to carry out customs, tax payment and income declaration procedures via the public networks; 9.
43. to promote competitiveness in the area of telecommunications and data transfer: to develop wireless communications and other alternative systems; 9.
44. on the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to establish incubators to support the development of the IT-based production and creation of new services; 9.
45. to encourage private sector to transfer business into the electronic media: to establish favourable conditions for the implementation of IT, to use most recent research achievements and to remove e-commerce restrictions; 9.
46. to create conditions for companies to develop their business, to use public information sources, to assist the creation of information systems and communications networks and to utilize them.
47. In order to achieve the objective set forth in 6.4., i.e. to minimize urban and rural information infrastructure differences and to provide all the population equal opportunities to use IT for social and public needs, it is necessary to fulfill the following tasks: 10.
48. to establish open points of contact, particularly in rural areas and to use for this purpose libraries and schools whereby people who do not have computers, for example, agricultural workers, could be able to learn and acquire skills and accumulate experience in using IT and to utilize the possibilities of the Lithuanian and foreign information networks for their needs; 10.
49. to design tools for collection, procession and provision of data for the users to serve both urban and rural population, government institutions as well as business companies;
50. In order to achieve the objective set forth in 6.5, i. e. to promote the culture of Lithuania and to preserve the Lithuanian language in the global information society, it is necessary to fulfill the following tasks:
52. to design automatic translation, recognition and synthesis tools of the Lithuanian language; to lithuanize computer software by carrying out tasks put forward by the Programme of the Lithuanian Language in the Information Society in 2000-2006; 11.
53. to develop information systems and their operation infrastructures related to the Lithuanization and the activities of educational and cultural establishments and their international links; 11.
54. to collect and distribute information about the values of Lithuanian culture and language using IT.
55. In order to achieve the objective set forth in 6.6., i.e. to encourage the participation in the European Union programmes and projects and to create favourable conditions for the development of the information society of Lithuania, it is necessary to fulfill the following tasks: 12.
56. to enhance cooperation with international funds, particularly those of the European Union, to establish priorities of the potential issues to be solved in a more purposeful way; to utilize better the expertise of the Lithuanian specialists; to distribute funds efficiently and to supervise their usage; 12.
57. to provide relevant information for the development of the information society about the potential sources of funding systematically and openly. IV. PRIORITIES
58. Competence: 13.
59. to achieve that every school graduate acquires appropriate IT-based knowledge and for this purpose to use teaching aids, teaching and methodological material, computers, local and global computer networks at all schools; 13.
60. to provide the possibility for students, lecturers, research staff and the personnel of cultural establishments to use modern IT, computerized data storage facilities, to develop joint projects with foreign partners and to utilize to this end the Lithuanian research and studies computer network LITNET integrated with the European Union academic computer network GEANT; 13.
61. to establish open points of contact, particularly in rural areas and to use for this purpose libraries and schools whereby people who do not have computers, for example, agricultural workers, could be able to learn and acquire skills and accumulate experience in using IT and to utilize the possibilities of the Lithuanian and foreign information networks for their needs; 13.
62. to raise public awareness on the importance of the development of the information society.
63. Public administration: 14.
64. to harmonize the legal basis for the formation, operation and interaction of official information sources: to draft laws and regulations regulating the activities of informatics and telecommunications and the formation and management of official information; 14.
65. to design an integral system of state registers for the registration, accounting and provision of registration data of the objects specified in laws; 14.
66. to design modern IT tools to assist the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, ministries and public authorities in the fulfillment of their functions by establishing data management information systems for the implementation of key state functions.
67. Electronic business: 15.
68. to create conditions to use the e-signature and to ensure that e-payment systems function; 15.
69. to create conditions for natural and legal persons to carry out customs, tax payment and income declaration procedures via the public networks; 15.
70. to promote competitiveness in the area of telecommunications and data transfer: to develop wireless communications and other alternative systems; 15.
71. on the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to establish incubators to support the development of the IT-based production and creation of new services.
72. Culture and language - to design automatic translation, recognition and synthesis tools of the Lithuanian language; to lithuanize computer software by carrying out tasks put forward by the Programme of the Lithuanian Language in the Information Society in 2000-2006; V. RESULTS
73. With the implementation of the set objectives and tasks it is anticipated that the following results will be achieved: 17.
74. the public will be able to acquire knowledge and skills more easily, people will be able to update, develop and successfully apply them in life and work in a rapidly changing environment of the information society since: 17.1.
75. with the introduction of e-literacy certificates meeting the requirements of the information society and the European educational standards, pupils will sit the national e-literacy examination and those wishing will have opportunities to acquire skills in specialized centers and take tests; 17.1.
76. every person will have possibilities to acquire knowledge as distance learning centers will be established. Every person will have a chance to improve professional skills, to learn new competencies, take tests and sit exams in order to obtain a course completion certificate. 17.1.
77. in every school one computer will be available for ten pupils (the number of pupils is estimated starting from the first class) and one computer for four students. 17.1.
78. teachers and civil servants will achieve e-literacy, their professional skills will improve; 17.1.
79. libraries will be linked to the global computer networks, each library will have at least two computers; 17.1.
80. various teaching programmes will be prepared (at least 50 teaching aids); 17.1.
81. students, lecturers, and research workers will be able to use modern IT and computerized data storage facilities; possibilities will become available to develop joint activities with foreign partners. Information and computer network technologies used in the European Union academic computer network GEANT will be regularly implemented in the Lithuanian research and studies computer network LITNET, the internet channel speed will constantly increase: in 2001 – 34 Mbps, in 2002 – 45 Mbps, in 2003 – 64 Mbps and in 2004 – 155 Mbps; 17.
82. an efficient informatics and communications system governed by regulations will be implemented; 17.
83. conditions for serving the public will improve due to the development of the IT-based public services of the e-government; every person will be able to submit inquiries to any government institution and receive replies through the public networks as well as to participate actively in various surveys in solving important issues of the state policy; 17.
84. civil servants and municipal employees will be able to solve issues of the state management and the utilization of national resources more effectively, rationally and flexibly: 17.4.
85. all employees will have to achieve e-literacy and possess certificates proving it; 17.4.
86. almost all employees will have processing cards with the e-signature and will work with electronic documents; 17.4.
87. the public will be served in accordance with “one-stop shop” principle; 17.4.
88. public procurement will be transparent for all tender participants who will be able to obtain promptly all the information they are interested in through a special Internet portal and institutions announcing tenders will receive centralized public procurement and organization services; 17.4.
89. tax collection system will be linked to a joint information system; 17.4.
90. existing national communications and data transfer networks (currently there are about 11 of them) will be linked to a joint network in respect of the centralized network administrator; 17.4.
91. the system of accounting and supervision of social services provided for the public (social insurance, health care, payment of pensions, etc.) will be integrated.
92. Civil servants and municipal employees will be able to solve state management and resource utilization issues more effectively, rationally and flexibly.
93. Employees of companies will be able to develop business based on competencies (knowledge), information, communications and information technologies in the context of the rapidly expanding globalization and specialization.
94. Urban and rural population will enjoy equal opportunities to use computerized information resources and possibilities provided by IT.
95. Global and the European Union projects will become more easily accessible for undertakings and government bodies and they could be more active in implementing them.
96. In order to use the Lithuanian language in the electronic media: 22.
97. essential computer software will be Lithuanized up to 2003; 22.
98. in 2004 trial samples will be produced: for the automatic translation of legal acts, initially the European Union instruments; for the automatic recognition and printing of oral texts covering a few hundred words; for the rendering of Lithuanian texts into sounds (that is of particular importance for the disabled); information systems for verbal replies to verbal requests through, for example, communications channels; speaker’s voice recognition (the voice lock). VI. MANAGEMENT
99. Up to now the management of the activities for the development of the information society of Lithuania has not been sufficient.
100. There is no public authority with appropriate obligations and sufficient powers to manage and to coordinate the activities of the information society development.
101. It is necessary to establish a body empowered by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to overcome the departmental attitude of government institutions and to initiate practical possibilities for the regulation and coordination of the activities of institutions at various levels and to develop the information society of Lithuania.
102. Key guidelines for the activities of the information society development of Lithuania are the following: 26.
103. drafting of strategic programmes for informatics and communications development; 26.
104. coordination of the integrated system of public registers and the design and functioning of national information systems; 26.
105. coordination of the informatics and communications projects drafted by ministries and other government or municipal institutions and bodies; 26.
106. working out and implementation of the funding strategy; 26.
107. coordination of the activities in seeking international funds and their use; 26.
108. coordination of international cooperation. VII. FUNDING
109. In carrying out the activities of the development of the information society of Lithuania, it is advisable to adhere to the following funding principles: 27.
110. in financing the activities of the development of the information society to coordinate purposefully and to combine funds from the state budget of the Republic of Lithuania and municipalities’ budgets, as well as privatization, borrowed, private sector (business), the European Union and foreign funds; 27.
111. to finance the drafting of strategic educational, e-government, informatics and communications as well as other e-development programmes from the state budget; 27.
112. to create conditions for the preparation and implementation of the informatics and communications investment projects that are financed from registration and data provision fees and to implement them as well as to support those activities; 27.
113. to set up a payment procedure for information provision services;
115. to adjust the planned expenses for the fulfillment of tasks specified by this Conceptual Framework with projected indicators of the national budget.
116. In order to raise more funds from abroad for the activities related to the development of the information society of Lithuania, it is essential to cooperate with the European Union funds more efficiently, to set priorities of the issues to be solved in a more purposeful way, to utilize better the expertise of Lithuanian specialists, to coordinate the distribution of funds and to supervise their usage. It is necessary to create conditions encouraging businessmen to invest into the development of the information society.