General IST policy: Luxembourg

Government has acknowledged need to address and support ICT-related policy. Action plan and e-Luxembourg are visible outcome of this endeavour and in May 2000 Luxembourg government announced an action plan with the aim to fully meet the requirements of the information society. In June 2000 EU approved "e-Europe" as a follow-up to "e-Luxembourg". This is now being implementation since January 2001 with several objectives including the following:

• Availability of the new technologies for education and research
• Involvement of all citizens into ICT and its implications for the society
• Use of ICT for citizens, enterprises and public agencies
• Promotion of electronic commerce
• Raise of knowledge for access to ICT
• Development of infrastructure for ICT

e-Luxembourg is expected to have great impact on all levels of population to make better use of internet and subsequently other ICT. Electronic commerce will be facilitated as well as communication by cellular phones, GSM and UMTS, for a modest fee. Other legislation is in preparation, and partly in force, in order to adjust Luxembourg regulations to EU and international standards, such as telecommunication subjects (i.a. protection of privacy); telecommunication net security issues; electronic commerce (since June 2001 in force). Concrete measures include the following:

• Installation of "Telecentres" in the local communities, as public places, consisting of computers and internet access for citizens of all ages, social classes and irrespective of education. Also advertised as "Internet for young and old".
• Education of professors for "internet driving" (Internetfuehrerschaein)
• Installation of "Health Net" project as an information source for professionals on the health sector.
• Internet-cafés have been installed in the Senior Clubs, where courses regarding computer and net are held, the net can be used, e-mails can be read, as an address is installed for the people who wish so

The regulation by the Ministry for Family, Social Solidarity and Youth "Charte des Droits et Libertés de la Personne Agée Dependante" (Charta of the Rights and Liberties of the dependant elderly people) is related to the IST subject.

Specific reference to older people using ICT is not made. Policy does refer to people "whatsoever their age", "to all citizens". But some concrete measures do apply to older people, implemented on the local level. Some Senior Clubs and pressure clubs may take some initiatives as a lobby or pressuregroup. The Senior Clubs (existing 12 in Luxembourg) do provide courses for elderly people for the use of the computer and the net. These 12 Senior Clubs do have about 6.000 members. As activities they do also provide courses of sports, culture and arts. They do organise conferences, card sessions, journeys and holidays as well as cinema and music events. The government does co-operate with the responsible of the Clubs in so called platforms.