The President noted that despite the availability of the necessary intellectual resources and the rapid spread of new technologies and telecommunications in the country, Russia is dropping further behind international leaders in this sphere.
The specific objectives that the President set for the Council include: the development of electronic government, the spread of information technology in the social sphere, and bridging the digital divide among the regions.
Dmitry Medvedev stressed the need for the digitisation of the resources of major archives, museums and libraries, creating systems for recording the results of research, design and development activities funded by the state, and the creation of centres for distance-learning to help disabled children and provide them with computers.
The meeting approved a number of proposals to implement the Strategy for the Development of the Information Society in Russia. In particular, it will set up working groups to make information and communication mechanisms available; encourage the use of IT in education and science, health and social security, in order to enhance the lives and security of the population; develop national IT industry; develop the electronic government project; encourage the use of IT in the sphere of culture and cultural heritage; and combat any use of IT that would harm Russia’s national interests.