BETA


2018/2083(INI) Digitalisation for development: reducing poverty through technology

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead DEVE WENTA Bogdan Brunon (icon: PPE PPE) GUERRERO SALOM Enrique (icon: S&D S&D), DEVA Nirj (icon: ECR ECR), CORNILLET Thierry (icon: ALDE ALDE), MARCELLESI Florent (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), D'ORNANO Mireille (icon: EFDD EFDD)
Committee Opinion INTA
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2019/03/11
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2018/11/13
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2018/11/13
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 499 votes to 48, with 108 abstentions, a resolution on digitalisation for development: reducing poverty through technology.

The 2017 European Consensus on Development highlighted the importance of information and communications technologies and services as enablers of inclusive growth and sustainable development. According to the 2017 update of the World Bank database Identification for Development Global Dataset (ID4D), an estimated 1.1 billion people worldwide cannot officially prove their identity, including their birth registration, and of those 78 % live in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

The need to support digitalisation in developing countries : Parliament welcomed the Commission’s D4D strategy, while stressing the huge potential of digital technology and services in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Gaols (SDGs), notably SDG 4 on education; SDG 5 on gender equality; SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth; SDG 9 on infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation.

However, despite the increase in internet penetration, many developing countries and emerging economies lag behind in benefiting from digitalisation, many people still have no access to ICTs, and major disparities exist both between countries and between urban and rural areas. Members stressed that digitalisation can be a powerful development tool in a number of policy areas, such as governance, education, health, gender equality, economic growth and agriculture.

Parliament called for sufficient funding under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 to enable the streamlining of digital technologies into all aspects of development policy.

While insisting that measures be taken to address the disruptive effects of technologies, such as employment automation, digital exclusion and inequality, cybersecurity, data privacy and regulatory issues, Members called for, inter alia :

an action plan for technical innovation for humanitarian assistance , especially in the context of forced displacements; digitalisation to be featured prominently in the future post-Cotonou agreement as an enabler of inclusive development, in accordance with the negotiation guidelines; further joint actions in digital infrastructure cooperation, as this should become one of the key activities in the EU’s partnerships with regional organisations, particularly the African Union; digitalisation to be incorporated into Member States’ national strategies for development; more concerted cross-sectoral effort from the international community to ensure that the shift towards a more digital economy leaves no one behind and contributes to the achievement of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development; increased efforts to address the challenges of digital exclusion through education and training in essential digital skills, giving due regard to the importance of e-learning and distance learning in reaching remote areas and people of all ages.

Concerned about technological dependence on a few players, including the GAFAs (Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon), Members called for the development of alternatives to stimulate competition, noting that such an aim could be pursued in partnership between the EU and Africa.

Digitalisation: a tool for sustainable development : Parliament welcomed the EU’s External Investment Plan promoting investment in innovative digital solutions for local needs, financial inclusion and decent job creation. They called on the Commission to:

launch new initiatives with a special focus on developing digital infrastructure, promoting e-governance and digital skills, strengthening the digital economy and fostering SDG-centred start-up ecosystems, further mainstream digital technologies and services into the EU’s development policy, as outlined inter alia in the D4D agenda; increase investment in digital infrastructure in developing countries, in order to bridge the significant digital divide in a development-effective and principle-based manner.

Members stressed the need to facilitate cross-border e-commerce as SMEs in developing countries make up the majority of businesses and employ the majority of workers in the manufacturing and services sectors.

The resolution pointed out that whilst agriculture , the largest sector of the African economy, may potentially benefit from digital technologies (e.g. by informing farmers about market prices and linking them with potential buyers), digital agriculture could also have a huge social and environmental disruptive effect in developing countries, as access to the latest technology may remain restricted to big and industrialised farms. EU funding for agriculture in developing countries must be in line with the transformative nature of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Members pointed out that ICT tools could be used for information dissemination, which can be crucial during both natural and technological disasters and emergencies, as well as in fragile and conflict-affected areas.

Lastly, the report highlighted the fact that digital technologies can enable low-income communities and other vulnerable communities to have access to quality basic services (e.g. health, education, water, sanitation and electricity), as well as to humanitarian relief and e-government services.

Documents
2018/11/13
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2018/11/12
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2018/10/16
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on Development adopted the own-initiative report by Bogdan Brunon WENTA (EPP, PL) on digitalisation for development: reducing poverty through technology, following the Commission's document of 2017 entitled Digital4Development: mainstreaming digital technologies and services into EU development policy’.

The need to support digitalisation in developing countries : Members recalled the huge potential of digital technology and services in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Gaols (SDGs), notably SDG 4 on education; SDG 5 on gender equality; SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth; SDG 9 on infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation. However, despite the increase in internet penetration, many developing countries and emerging economies lag behind in benefiting from digitalisation , many people still have no access to ICTs, and major disparities exist both between countries and between urban and rural areas. The committee stressed that digitalisation can be a powerful development tool in a number of policy areas, such as governance, education, health, gender equality, economic growth and agriculture.

It called for sufficient funding under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 to enable the streamlining of digital technologies into all aspects of development policy. It also called for the implementation in EU external action of the principles embodied in the Digital Single Market for Europe (DSM) strategy adopted in 2015, through support for EU partners’ regulatory frameworks.

Whilst warning that action should be taken to address the disruptive effects of technologies, such as automation of jobs, digital exclusion and inequality, cybersecurity, data privacy and regulatory issues, Members called for the following:

an action plan for technical innovation for humanitarian assistance , especially in the context of forced displacements; digitalisation to be featured prominently in the future post-Cotonou agreement as an enabler of inclusive development, in accordance with the negotiation guidelines; further joint actions in digital infrastructure cooperation , as this should become one of the key activities in the EU’s partnerships with regional organisations, particularly the African Union; digitalisation to be incorporated into Member States’ national strategies for development; more concerted cross-sectoral effort from the international community to ensure that the shift towards a more digital economy leaves no one behind and contributes to the achievement of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development; increased efforts to address the challenges of digital exclusion through education and training in essential digital skills, giving due regard to the importance of e-learning and distance learning in reaching remote areas and people of all ages;

Digitalisation: a tool for sustainable development: Members welcomed the EU’s External Investment Plan promoting investment in innovative digital solutions for local needs, financial inclusion and decent job creation. They called on the Commission to:

launch new initiatives with a special focus on developing digital infrastructure, promoting e-governance and digital skills, strengthening the digital economy and fostering SDG-centred start-up ecosystems, further mainstream digital technologies and services into the EU’s development policy, as outlined inter alia in the D4D agenda; increase investment in digital infrastructure in developing countries, in order to bridge the significant digital divide in a development-effective and principle-based manner.

The committee pointed out that whilst agriculture, the largest sector of the African economy, may potentially benefit from digital technologies (e.g. by informing farmers about market prices and linking them with potential buyers), digital agriculture could also have a huge social and environmental disruptive effect in developing countries, as access to the latest technology may remain restricted to big and industrialised farms. EU funding for agriculture in developing countries must be in line with the transformative nature of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Members pointed out that ICT tools could be used for information dissemination, which can be crucial during both natural and technological disasters and emergencies , as well as in fragile and conflict-affected areas.

Lastly, the report highlighted the fact that digital technologies can enable low-income communities and other vulnerable communities to have access to quality basic services (e.g. health, education, water, sanitation and electricity), as well as to humanitarian relief and e-government services.

Documents
2018/10/09
   EP - Vote in committee
2018/09/03
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2018/07/11
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2018/06/29
   EP - WENTA Bogdan Brunon (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in DEVE
2018/06/14
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament

Documents

Votes

A8-0338/2018 - Bogdan Brunon Wenta - § 13/1 13/11/2018 12:36:53.000 #

2018/11/13 Outcome: +: 342, -: 319, 0: 9
FR IT PT ES AT DE SE EL CY BE ?? DK MT EE IE LV LT LU HR FI SK RO SI CZ NL HU BG GB PL
Total
64
61
19
50
18
91
19
20
4
19
1
12
6
4
9
5
10
6
11
9
12
28
8
20
24
16
14
63
45
icon: S&D S&D
171

Cyprus S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Croatia S&D

2

Finland S&D

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Netherlands S&D

3

Hungary S&D

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
51

Italy Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Hungary Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
44

Italy GUE/NGL

2

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Ireland GUE/NGL

3

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1
icon: ENF ENF
30

Germany ENF

For (1)

1

Belgium ENF

For (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

3

Poland ENF

2
icon: EFDD EFDD
39

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Poland EFDD

1
icon: NI NI
19

France NI

2

Germany NI

For (1)

Against (1)

2

NI

For (1)

1

Denmark NI

1

Hungary NI

For (1)

1

United Kingdom NI

Against (2)

Abstain (2)

4
icon: ECR ECR
59

Italy ECR

Against (1)

1

Sweden ECR

2

Greece ECR

Against (1)

1

Cyprus ECR

Against (1)

1

Denmark ECR

2

Lithuania ECR

Against (1)

1

Croatia ECR

Against (1)

1

Finland ECR

Against (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

2

Romania ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

Against (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
63

Portugal ALDE

1

Austria ALDE

Against (1)

1

Germany ALDE

3

Denmark ALDE

3

Estonia ALDE

Against (2)

2

Ireland ALDE

Against (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Luxembourg ALDE

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1

Croatia ALDE

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3

Slovenia ALDE

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1

United Kingdom ALDE

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1
icon: PPE PPE
192

Cyprus PPE

1

Belgium PPE

For (1)

Abstain (1)

4

Denmark PPE

Against (1)

1

Latvia PPE

2

Lithuania PPE

2

Luxembourg PPE

3

Finland PPE

2

United Kingdom PPE

Against (1)

1

A8-0338/2018 - Bogdan Brunon Wenta - § 13/2 13/11/2018 12:37:09.000 #

2018/11/13 Outcome: -: 352, +: 297, 0: 11
IT ES PT EL SE CY AT IE DK ?? EE DE MT LT LU LV HR FI SK RO SI BE CZ HU BG NL GB FR PL
Total
59
48
18
19
19
4
18
9
11
1
3
90
6
9
6
6
11
9
12
28
8
19
20
17
14
24
62
63
45
icon: S&D S&D
168

Cyprus S&D

For (1)

1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

1

Croatia S&D

2

Finland S&D

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Netherlands S&D

3
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
51

Italy Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

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For (1)

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

For (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Hungary Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
43

Italy GUE/NGL

2

Portugal GUE/NGL

3

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

1

Ireland GUE/NGL

3

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

3

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
39

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

France EFDD

Abstain (1)

5

Poland EFDD

1
icon: NI NI
19

Denmark NI

1

NI

For (1)

1

Germany NI

Against (1)

2

Hungary NI

For (1)

1

United Kingdom NI

Against (2)

Abstain (2)

4

France NI

For (1)

Against (1)

2
icon: ENF ENF
28

Germany ENF

Against (1)

1

Belgium ENF

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

3

Poland ENF

2
icon: ALDE ALDE
62

Portugal ALDE

1

Austria ALDE

Against (1)

1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Denmark ALDE

3

Estonia ALDE

Against (1)

1

Germany ALDE

3

Luxembourg ALDE

Against (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

For (1)

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2

Romania ALDE

3

Slovenia ALDE

Against (1)

1

United Kingdom ALDE

Against (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
60

Italy ECR

2

Greece ECR

For (1)

1

Sweden ECR

2

Cyprus ECR

Against (1)

1

Denmark ECR

2

Latvia ECR

Against (1)

1

Croatia ECR

Against (1)

1

Finland ECR

Against (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

2

Romania ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

2
icon: PPE PPE
188

Cyprus PPE

1

Lithuania PPE

2

Luxembourg PPE

3

Latvia PPE

2

Finland PPE

2

Belgium PPE

For (1)

Abstain (1)

4

United Kingdom PPE

Against (1)

1

A8-0338/2018 - Bogdan Brunon Wenta - Résolution 13/11/2018 12:37:24.000 #

2018/11/13 Outcome: +: 499, 0: 108, -: 48
DE IT ES PL RO FR GB NL CZ SE PT BE AT HU BG HR SK FI LT DK SI IE LV MT EL LU CY EE ??
Total
89
62
49
44
28
64
62
22
20
18
19
17
18
16
14
11
10
9
10
12
8
9
6
5
20
5
4
3
1
icon: PPE PPE
190

Finland PPE

2

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Latvia PPE

2

Luxembourg PPE

3

Cyprus PPE

1
icon: S&D S&D
165

Netherlands S&D

3

Belgium S&D

3

Hungary S&D

2

Croatia S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

1

Malta S&D

2

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Cyprus S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
60
3

Romania ALDE

3

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Sweden ALDE

2

Portugal ALDE

1

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Estonia ALDE

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
61

Italy ECR

2

Romania ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Sweden ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

1

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

1
2

Lithuania ECR

1

Denmark ECR

2

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Cyprus ECR

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
49

Italy Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

6

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Belgium Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

For (1)

3

Hungary Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

Against (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
45

Italy GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3

Czechia GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

3

Sweden GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Ireland GUE/NGL

3

Cyprus GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1
icon: NI NI
19

Germany NI

For (1)

Against (1)

2

France NI

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

Against (1)

Abstain (2)

4

Hungary NI

For (1)

1

Denmark NI

1

NI

Abstain (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
27

Germany ENF

Against (1)

1

Poland ENF

2

Netherlands ENF

Against (1)

1

Belgium ENF

Abstain (1)

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
39

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

Poland EFDD

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
AmendmentsDossier
136 2018/2083(INI)
2018/09/03 DEVE 136 amendments...
source: 627.035

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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  • date: 2018-07-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE625.403 title: PE625.403 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2018-09-03T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE627.035 title: PE627.035 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2019-03-11T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=31670&j=0&l=en title: SP(2019)43 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
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  • date: 2018-06-14T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2018-10-09T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2018-10-16T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2018-0338&language=EN title: A8-0338/2018 summary: The Committee on Development adopted the own-initiative report by Bogdan Brunon WENTA (EPP, PL) on digitalisation for development: reducing poverty through technology, following the Commission's document of 2017 entitled Digital4Development: mainstreaming digital technologies and services into EU development policy’. The need to support digitalisation in developing countries : Members recalled the huge potential of digital technology and services in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Gaols (SDGs), notably SDG 4 on education; SDG 5 on gender equality; SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth; SDG 9 on infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation. However, despite the increase in internet penetration, many developing countries and emerging economies lag behind in benefiting from digitalisation , many people still have no access to ICTs, and major disparities exist both between countries and between urban and rural areas. The committee stressed that digitalisation can be a powerful development tool in a number of policy areas, such as governance, education, health, gender equality, economic growth and agriculture. It called for sufficient funding under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 to enable the streamlining of digital technologies into all aspects of development policy. It also called for the implementation in EU external action of the principles embodied in the Digital Single Market for Europe (DSM) strategy adopted in 2015, through support for EU partners’ regulatory frameworks. Whilst warning that action should be taken to address the disruptive effects of technologies, such as automation of jobs, digital exclusion and inequality, cybersecurity, data privacy and regulatory issues, Members called for the following: an action plan for technical innovation for humanitarian assistance , especially in the context of forced displacements; digitalisation to be featured prominently in the future post-Cotonou agreement as an enabler of inclusive development, in accordance with the negotiation guidelines; further joint actions in digital infrastructure cooperation , as this should become one of the key activities in the EU’s partnerships with regional organisations, particularly the African Union; digitalisation to be incorporated into Member States’ national strategies for development; more concerted cross-sectoral effort from the international community to ensure that the shift towards a more digital economy leaves no one behind and contributes to the achievement of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development; increased efforts to address the challenges of digital exclusion through education and training in essential digital skills, giving due regard to the importance of e-learning and distance learning in reaching remote areas and people of all ages; Digitalisation: a tool for sustainable development: Members welcomed the EU’s External Investment Plan promoting investment in innovative digital solutions for local needs, financial inclusion and decent job creation. They called on the Commission to: launch new initiatives with a special focus on developing digital infrastructure, promoting e-governance and digital skills, strengthening the digital economy and fostering SDG-centred start-up ecosystems, further mainstream digital technologies and services into the EU’s development policy, as outlined inter alia in the D4D agenda; increase investment in digital infrastructure in developing countries, in order to bridge the significant digital divide in a development-effective and principle-based manner. The committee pointed out that whilst agriculture, the largest sector of the African economy, may potentially benefit from digital technologies (e.g. by informing farmers about market prices and linking them with potential buyers), digital agriculture could also have a huge social and environmental disruptive effect in developing countries, as access to the latest technology may remain restricted to big and industrialised farms. EU funding for agriculture in developing countries must be in line with the transformative nature of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Climate Agreement. Members pointed out that ICT tools could be used for information dissemination, which can be crucial during both natural and technological disasters and emergencies , as well as in fragile and conflict-affected areas. Lastly, the report highlighted the fact that digital technologies can enable low-income communities and other vulnerable communities to have access to quality basic services (e.g. health, education, water, sanitation and electricity), as well as to humanitarian relief and e-government services.
  • date: 2018-11-12T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20181112&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2018-11-13T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=31670&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2018-11-13T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2018-0448 title: T8-0448/2018 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 499 votes to 48, with 108 abstentions, a resolution on digitalisation for development: reducing poverty through technology. The 2017 European Consensus on Development highlighted the importance of information and communications technologies and services as enablers of inclusive growth and sustainable development. According to the 2017 update of the World Bank database Identification for Development Global Dataset (ID4D), an estimated 1.1 billion people worldwide cannot officially prove their identity, including their birth registration, and of those 78 % live in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The need to support digitalisation in developing countries : Parliament welcomed the Commission’s D4D strategy, while stressing the huge potential of digital technology and services in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Gaols (SDGs), notably SDG 4 on education; SDG 5 on gender equality; SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth; SDG 9 on infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation. However, despite the increase in internet penetration, many developing countries and emerging economies lag behind in benefiting from digitalisation, many people still have no access to ICTs, and major disparities exist both between countries and between urban and rural areas. Members stressed that digitalisation can be a powerful development tool in a number of policy areas, such as governance, education, health, gender equality, economic growth and agriculture. Parliament called for sufficient funding under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 to enable the streamlining of digital technologies into all aspects of development policy. While insisting that measures be taken to address the disruptive effects of technologies, such as employment automation, digital exclusion and inequality, cybersecurity, data privacy and regulatory issues, Members called for, inter alia : an action plan for technical innovation for humanitarian assistance , especially in the context of forced displacements; digitalisation to be featured prominently in the future post-Cotonou agreement as an enabler of inclusive development, in accordance with the negotiation guidelines; further joint actions in digital infrastructure cooperation, as this should become one of the key activities in the EU’s partnerships with regional organisations, particularly the African Union; digitalisation to be incorporated into Member States’ national strategies for development; more concerted cross-sectoral effort from the international community to ensure that the shift towards a more digital economy leaves no one behind and contributes to the achievement of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development; increased efforts to address the challenges of digital exclusion through education and training in essential digital skills, giving due regard to the importance of e-learning and distance learning in reaching remote areas and people of all ages. Concerned about technological dependence on a few players, including the GAFAs (Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon), Members called for the development of alternatives to stimulate competition, noting that such an aim could be pursued in partnership between the EU and Africa. Digitalisation: a tool for sustainable development : Parliament welcomed the EU’s External Investment Plan promoting investment in innovative digital solutions for local needs, financial inclusion and decent job creation. They called on the Commission to: launch new initiatives with a special focus on developing digital infrastructure, promoting e-governance and digital skills, strengthening the digital economy and fostering SDG-centred start-up ecosystems, further mainstream digital technologies and services into the EU’s development policy, as outlined inter alia in the D4D agenda; increase investment in digital infrastructure in developing countries, in order to bridge the significant digital divide in a development-effective and principle-based manner. Members stressed the need to facilitate cross-border e-commerce as SMEs in developing countries make up the majority of businesses and employ the majority of workers in the manufacturing and services sectors. The resolution pointed out that whilst agriculture , the largest sector of the African economy, may potentially benefit from digital technologies (e.g. by informing farmers about market prices and linking them with potential buyers), digital agriculture could also have a huge social and environmental disruptive effect in developing countries, as access to the latest technology may remain restricted to big and industrialised farms. EU funding for agriculture in developing countries must be in line with the transformative nature of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Climate Agreement. Members pointed out that ICT tools could be used for information dissemination, which can be crucial during both natural and technological disasters and emergencies, as well as in fragile and conflict-affected areas. Lastly, the report highlighted the fact that digital technologies can enable low-income communities and other vulnerable communities to have access to quality basic services (e.g. health, education, water, sanitation and electricity), as well as to humanitarian relief and e-government services.
  • date: 2018-11-13T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
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  • date: 2018-06-14T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: GUERRERO SALOM Enrique group: ECR name: DEVA Nirj group: ALDE name: CORNILLET Thierry group: GUE/NGL name: KOULOGLOU Stelios group: Verts/ALE name: MARCELLESI Florent group: EFD name: D'ORNANO Mireille responsible: True committee_full: Development committee: DEVE body: EP responsible: False committee_full: International Trade committee: INTA
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  • body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: GUERRERO SALOM Enrique group: ECR name: DEVA Nirj group: ALDE name: CORNILLET Thierry group: GUE/NGL name: KOULOGLOU Stelios group: Verts/ALE name: MARCELLESI Florent group: EFD name: D'ORNANO Mireille responsible: True committee_full: Development committee: DEVE
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: International Trade committee: INTA
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    DEVE/8/12993
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    2018/2083(INI)
    title
    Digitalisation for development: reducing poverty through technology
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    6.30.02 Financial and technical cooperation and assistance