In the framework of the International Forum “Baltic IT&T 2010: eBaltics” on April 22 a seminar “Research, Development and Innovations − To Facilitate ICT Export Growth of Latvia” has been organised by Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association (LIKTA) in cooperation with Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

During the meeting in Poznan, Poland in January, 2010 the BONITA (Baltic Organisation and Network of Innovation Transfer and Associations) project partners have discussed the training & coaching programmes to be developed within the project.

The EU ‘cyber security’ Agency - ENISA (the European Network and Information Security Agency) today presents a new report on accessing social networks over mobile phones, ‘Online as soon as it happens“. The report points out the risks and threats of mobile social networking services, e.g. identity theft, corporate data leakage and reputation risks of mobile social networks. The report also gives 17 ‘golden rules’ on how to combat these threats.

Europe suffers from a chronic shortage of digital skills across all sectors. A study released by empirica and IDC EMEA Government Insights revealed that EU labour market may face an excess demand of 384,000 ICT practitioners by 2015.

From 2-5 of March, 2010 a Pan-European initiative e-skills week was organized in all EU countries. Latvia was one of active participants, organizing e-skills and ICT training related activities for different target groups - students and teachers, ICT professionals, SMe’s and citizens.

During the meeting in Lulea, Sweden on November 24-26, 2009 the BONITA (Baltic Organisation and Network of Innovation Transfer and Associations) project partners have discussed the evaluation, adaptation and implementation of the Transfer Model being developed during the project. Project partners discussed also showrooms, training & coaching programmes to be developed within the project, as well as the establishment of a transnational network.

European telecentre leaders meet in Istanbul to celebrate successes and renew committment to support digital inclusion across Europe. The information society is essential for education, work, social participation, gender equality, independent living in old age, leisure and creativity. Yet some 30-40 per cent of Europeans remain at risk of being excluded from the information society, mostly because of socio-economic exclusion factors such as low income, low levels of education, disability, cultural or geographic isolation or old age. E-Inclusion, or digital inclusion, has the ability to mobilise information and communication technologies (ICT) to combat such social or economic exclusion.

The 2nd of July was the deadline for the applications and proposals being provided for the 3rd call of the The ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP).

Lithuanian website for students of 5th-6th grades “Nature and Man: integrated course for students of 5th-6th grades” has won the nomination at World Summit Award (WSA).

As communication networks and information systems have become an essential factor in economic and social development, their security is an increasing concern to the society. This is a reason why in 2004 the European Union established a European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) for the benefit of all Member States.