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What digital union?

The conference in Warsaw focused on the digital economy, a topic which is often at the heart of discussions on how Europe can emerge from the economic

Date and time: 15 June 2015 14:00-18:30

In the framework of our 10th anniversary celebrations, Bruegel is organising a series of events in the capitals of our member states. These debates, talks and conferences will bring crucial European topics to audiences across the continent.

The conference in Warsaw focused on the digital economy, a topic which is often at the heart of discussions on how Europe can emerge from the economic crisis of recent years. Across two sessions top-level leaders and experts debated the macroeconomic features of the digital revolution and examined the policy response.

What are the likely trends in our growing use of ICT at work and home?
What might be the consequences for productivity, growth and inequality?
How should policymakers at national and European level react in order to maximise the benefits of these new technologies?

Event materials

Presentation by Maciej Bukowski -
Presentation by J. Scott Marcus -
Speech by Günther Oettinger
News article from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Programme

12.00-12.30: Registration and sandwich lunch

12.30-12.45: Opening remarks

Rafał Trzaskowski, secretary of state, Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

12.45-13.15 Keynote Speech

Andrzej Halicki, minister of administration and digitalisation of Poland

13.15-14.30: Macroeconomic effects of the digital revolution

What are the effects of the large-scale application of ICT on productivity, GDP, employment and budget revenues? Some suggest that we have already reaped most of the productivity benefits of ICT, while others argue that we are only at the beginning of an economic revolution. In any case, societies and governments must decide how to deal with effects of these changes on the tax base and job markets.

Chair: Henry Foy, Financial Times

Speakers:

Maciej Bukowski, President of WISE Institute
Kamil Kiljanski, Chief Economist DG Internal Market and Industry, European Commision
Jan Krancke, Vice President Regulatory Strategies & Projects at Deutsche Telekom

14.30-14.45 Coffee break

14.45-16.30: What Strategy for a coherent Digital Single Market?

Data protection, copyright harmonisation, cross-border e-commerce and the 'Internet of Things' are areas where the European Commission plans to take decisive action. The panel will discuss the Commission strategy, its interaction with the projects of member states and the potential redistributive effects of EU policies.

Chair: Mario Mariniello, research fellow, Bruegel

Speakers:

Michał Boni, member of the European Parliament and former minister for digital affairs of Poland
Matt Brittin, president of EMEA business and operations, Google
Bruno Duthoit, CEO at Orange Polska
J. Scott Marcus, expert on internet economics