GOOD TO KNOW
On 11 May 2023 in Kinshasa, Aksantys took part in the launch of the Yebela Lobi project run by the NGO Amani Kwetu, in the company of the representative of the mayor of the commune of Ngaliema in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The aim of the project is to strengthen the skills and knowledge of young people in the fields of health, education, entrepreneurship and the environment, so as to help them become agents of change in their communities.
Geographical Indications system (GLS) have been protected by the EU since the 1970s. Today, the EU register of GLs contains almost 3500 entries, which represent a sales value of EUR 74.8 billion. The sales value of a product with a protected name is often double that of similar products without a certification. On June 1, 2023 the European Parliament adopted its position for talks on new rules on EU Geographical Indications for agricultural products.
The Parliament demands that Geographical Indications should be better protected online. Online domains unlawfully using a name of a Geographical Indications (GI) must be closed. GIs should be also better protected in processed products. Processed products containing a GI ingredient should not be allowed to be named after the GI, unless permitted to do so by the GI’s producers. Registering GIs should be faster. Finally, MEPs say that recognised producer groups should get more rights and resources.
As part of its digital strategy, the EU wants to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure better conditions for the development and use of this innovative technology.
In April 2021, the European Commission proposed the first EU regulatory framework for AI. It says that AI systems that can be used in various applications are analysed and classified according to the risk they pose to users (Unacceptable risk, High risk, Generative AI, Limited risk) . The different risk levels will mean more or less regulation. Parliament is set to agree its negotiating position in June 2023, after which talks will begin with EU countries in the Council on the final form of the law. The aim is to reach an agreement by the end of this year. Once approved, these will be the world’s first rules on AI.
Marking International Women’s Day 2021 on 8 March, the European Parliament is paying tribute to women working on the frontline and all those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the 25th of January 2021, the European Commission has prepared a guideline on how to become a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH). EDIHs will play a central role in the Digital Europe Programme. Aimed at stimulating the intensified uptake of Artificial Intelligence, High Performance Computing (HPC) and Cybersecurity in Europe, EDIHs will get restricted financial support to boost their operations after summer in 2021.
The fifth edition of the European Vocational Skills Week organized by the EC and the German Presidency of the Council of the EU will take place on November 6-13 this year. This 100% online event will concentrate around the topic of VET for Green and Digital Transitions, in line with the Commission priorities of a “European Green Deal” and a “Europe fit for the digital age”. By gathering together local, regional and national organisations it will be the platform for the exchange of the very best of VET in Europe and beyond.1.
The EU Agency for Cyber security releases ten cyber hygiene tips to support SMEs in protecting their virtual assets against cyber attacks, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
World Health Organization continuously supports countries to overcome IT challenges in adopting digital technologies in order to strengthen the healthcare systems and improve the public health actions. In its latest publication WHO provides six advantages for governments and individuals of going digital in healthcare system.
While there is an increasing interest across EU institutions in digitalising healthcare sector, a current lack of systematically supportive products to reach it is persistently existing. Among many digital health apps and tools already created, EHR is most probably the only product that is key for frontline. This article analyses how the EHR performs in the context of Covid-19 outbreak.
International Energy Agency argues that digitalisation is a key element to increase energy efficiency through technologies that allow to gather and analyse data before using it to make changes to the physical environment. Read to find out more about the use of digitalisation in the energy sector.
The EU Communication on ‘Shaping Europe’s digital future’ from February 2020 calls for fair digital transformation that is able to power the society with digital solutions, which is strongly built in European common values, is able to enrich the lives of all Europeans, to allow them to develop personally, freely and safely, regardless of age, gender or professional background.
While the coronavirus has brought much of the transport sector to the end-points, World Bank’s experts argue that the digitisation of the urban mobility is a key to help people moving again, and make the urban transport safer and more effective.
Community Mobility Reports are aimed at providing the insight into how the moving around has changed within different communities due to Covid-19 and diverse restrictions imposed by national policies.
Europe aims to be the first climate-neutral continent by becoming a modern, resource-efficient economy.