Strategic's Digital World Forum 2005 will take place at the Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens, Greece on Thursday, 7 July 2005. Now in its 5th year this event is already an internationally recognized forum and is renowned for the high value added it offers to participants. Leveraging of Technology, particularly Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), to promote Growth and Competitiveness will be the primary focus of the forum this year ,under the main theme : Competitiveness and Innovation for Growth . The Lisbon agenda, set by EU member states to help Europe to become the world's most competitive and dynamic economy by 2010, will provide the context .The conference will examine -with important players, from business and public policy- the key factors influencing Greece and SE Europe's nations and corporations opportunities and contributions to the Lisbon objectives.

At the moment, Europe as a whole and particularly member states at the European South like Greece , are seriously underperforming with regard to most of these targets and are considered as the Europe's laggards with rather very poor performances as far ICT , Innovation ,Productivity etc , as also demonstrated by the recent Kok report. Recent data shows a clear correlation between Innovation and GDP growth. On the other hand , Information and Communication Technologies ( ICT ) are one of the main innovative means to improve productivity - half of the productivity gains in the economy come from ICT. In the EU for instance , of around 1.4 % productivity growth between 1995 and 2000 , it is estimated that around 0.7% was due to ICT.

This years' event includes the following features and highlights :

1.High Level Meeting ( by invitation only ), DAY 1

•The Importance of ICT Policy for Competitiveness - New Techno Economic Paradigms and Lessons for the Nations of S. Europe / E. Med

2.Conference Sessions , DAY 2

Key topics by leading international VIP speakers include , amongst others :

•Building Modern Growth Strategies for Nations and Corporations
•Achieving Growth and Job Creation - How to Attract ICT Investment and Develop Indigenous Resources in the Region , in the Era of " Job Migration "
•Promoting ICT Investment in the Region
•The Contribution of ICT to Growth and Reaching the Lisbon Goals
•Managing Business within a Technology Context - Overcoming the CEOs / CIOs Dilemmas
•Corporate Strategies to Overcome Complexity- ICT Applications Scenarios for the Future
•Citizens First - In Search of Innovative Transformation in Public Sector
•Building Momentum in the Information Society Programs in Greece and the Region

3.Best Practice Roundtables

With a special focus on Europe's economic and high tech tigers like : Ireland , Finland , etc

4.Vertical Workshops

•Workshop A : Internationalization , Entrepreneurship and the SMEs of the European South -The Role of ICT
•Workshop B : Exploring the new Digital Destinations for the Region's ICT Industry - Either Go Global or Die

5.The Consulting Experience

Case studies by the world's leading consulting companies and "think - tanks "

6. The Exhibit Showcase

Companies , organizations , research institutions , central / regional / local authorities , etc , are presenting their show cases , under the following themes :

Showcase 1: eCitizen First : Innovative Transformation at Central , Regional , Local level- From the eGovernment to the eMayor.

Showcase 2 : The Mobile Enterprise : Improve Productivity through Continuous Contact

Another new feature of this year's event is that the conference is free for end users - subject to verification and availability - by filling the relevant registration form . Those qualify for free attendance are only the end-users. Vendors and all others are not qualified for this special promotion scheme.

In addition a series of position papers and white papers related to the topics to be discussed at the event are under preparation by leading consultancies and 'think - tanks ' . The first in the series titled ' Overcoming the Dilemmas of the Greek Information Society program " prepared by Strategic International and RAND is readily available in Greek and English .( To obtain an electronic copy please send email with your request and details at info@strategic.gr )

Mr Costas Kataras , Chairman and Founder of the Digital World Forum and CEO of Strategic International , said "As always this annual leading international event in SEEurope will provide a unique opportunity to participate in crucial debates and keep pace with the latest ICT developments in the region. In addition , this years event comes at an important time - Greece 2005 : Competitiveness Year - and the " Lisbon Strategy " challenges in view also of the anticipated changes.

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Note to Editors

1. Further information regarding Strategic's Digital World Forum 2005 is available on the website www.strategic.gr or by email at info@strategic.gr
2. More info on previous events is available on www.strategic.gr ( chose Events )
3. Digital World Forum 2005 is organized by Strategic International. For more info please send email on info@strategic.gr

About Strategic's Digital World Forum

The Forum's objectives are :

•To contribute to major growth and social issues facing nations in the EU South / E.Med , Arab world , such as competitiveness and innovation and explore the role of ICT , also by improving the dialogue between political , business , intellectual and other international leaders .
•Advice governments , international organizations , businesses and policy makers - in the form of a communication - on the results of the Forum's discussions.
•Enhance further it's high quality nature at the speaker / audience level , also by strengthening it's role as an independent "think - tank " committed to improve economic growth via the use of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT ) , S&T , RTD , Innovation and High-Tech in general.

About Strategic International
Strategic International SA (www.strategic.gr) is a consulting firm, founded in 1984, offering quality consultancy services and support to international companies and SME’s, as well as to international organizations and governments to develop successful strategies and implementation plans in today’s Networked Economy. Beside its leading position in Telecommunications and IT in S.E. Europe and E. Mediterranean, the company has also deep knowledge in areas such as: Manufacturing, Health, New Media, High Technology, Economic/ Regional Development, and Science & Technology.

Press Office (Photos, Statistics, Presentations, Interviews, etc.)
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Email: pinfo@strategic.gr