International Congress Cagliari, 14-15 November 2008 TELEMATIC ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES IN EUROPE

International Congress
Cagliari, 14-15 November 2008
TELEMATIC ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES IN
EUROPE


Systematic studies on the ‘dematerialization’ of administrative activity (digital administration- e-government) indicate that there has been considerable development in the following areas:

* Electronic signature and electronic document validity
* Front office
* Statement of principles on the need for telematic cooperation among administrative bodies

Research studies have nevertheless revealed that the development of the electronic signature and electronic documents has not been and still is not sufficient for the functioning of the bureaucratic machinery for a basic reason that can no longer be disregarded: the electronic administrative document is seldom the product of a single agent; the most important processes and procedures in public administration are almost always the result of cooperation between several offices and autonomous administrative bodies, each of which has the task of protecting and safeguarding the different public interests involved in such procedures.

Until now, the move towards ‘dematerialization’ has mainly concerned the static aspects (such as the electronic document), while the regulation of the dynamic aspects has been neglected; by “dynamic aspects” we mean the formal activity necessary for the production of an electronic document as the result of cooperation among offices and public bodies, i.e. the telematic administrative procedure.


European telematic administrative procedures

A common European regulation for a telematic administrative process is becoming more and more urgent, in order to avoid each member state adopting different and diverse solutions, interfering with the integration of juridical systems and hindering the smooth interaction between the European citizen (and entrepreneurs) and the public administration offices in whatever country of the European Union.

Beyond this basic question, there is also a need to put into effect the telematic integration of processes in which State members and community institutions are involved (vertical integration) and those processes in which several State members are involved (horizontal integration: welfare, taxation system). Finally, the internal administration of community institutions themselves should start utilizing these solutions, both for its improved functioning and for the above-mentioned need for vertical integration.

Due to the rise in the cost of oil, every effort aiming at reducing the need for the commuting mobility of civil servants is to be pursued with the utmost commitment. Regulating all bureaucratic processes is a prime objective today in order to ensure the growth of teleworking within administrations, between offices (such as telematic conferences), and between other equipped, peripheral units. The ultimate goal is promoting home-based teleworking, so far almost impossible to activate owing to the absence of clear regulations on administrative processes.


Provisional work program

In the event of positive feedback regarding the request for funding from some public bodies, several meetings will be scheduled followed by a further stage for the drafting of a (possible) text for a community directive.

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Preparatory events: July and September 2008: one or more preliminary meetings between the small circle of those organising the congress, European commission representatives, and the other national partners involved, in order to elaborate a working document which will be discussed during the congress.
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Main event: 14th and 15th november 2008: a European congress, where the convenors will be the delegates from the State members and from the European Commission; members of the CNIPA and representatives/leading figures in the Court of Cassation.
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Following events: One or more restricted meetings during which, based on the congress’ results, a text on the matter of electronic administrative procedures will be drafted and then proposed to the European Commission to be used for a proposal of directive addressed to the European Parliament and Council in a jointly adopted decision.
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Permanent forum: As soon as possible a permanent forum will be start up, where every participant at the research will insert their proposals, organized into: a) motivations; b) problems; c) proposals of law. Every participant will have hisuser name and his password to manage his account, and he will be able to read every text written by the other participants.



Initiative promoting body and involved subjects

The University of Cagliari has taken the initiative for these meetings, since research carried out here has demonstrated the unavoidable necessity for the implementation of regulations for telematic administrative procedures and that it is now opportune that this discipline should have a common European basis. The promoting body is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary of research, since the idea of dematerialization of the administrative process was firstly conceived in the distant year of 1978, presented in a congress at the Court of Cassation, and developed later as a specific research doctorate.

The Court of Cassation and the CNIPA (National Centre for the Information system in Public Administration) are participating in the project.

The initiative is under the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic.


Invitation

The organizing staff will invite representatives from each State member of the EU and delegates from the European Commission to participate in the project.

The invitation is for the plenary meeting and for possible workshops in July, September, and October 2008 for selected groups. The financial plan in preparation provides for the refund of expenses for the invited guests.