English |
VUNW: Centrope |
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English |
VUNW: Centrope |
|
The origin of the virtual region is dated on the 22nd September 2003. The treaty of Kittsee, which forms the legal framework, which is announced to be a political declaration of intent. Centrope (1), in this sense, is a conceptual metaphor, whose realities still have to be created. In the description in the WWW the key word „idea“ is used:
"In CENTROPE, the central region of Europe, live and work about six million people. This new common space, because of the EU-expansion, is now part of the European interior market.
For obvious reasons one will want, to make all efforts, to transform this space into a quality, prosperous region of Europe, in which all the existing competencies of the economy, society and politics and the existing multiplicity of languages and cultures are used and bundled for a dynamic development.
It is for this reason that the political decision makers have agreed in a political declaration of intent, to initiate and support the Central Region of Europe - CENTROPE. Until early 2006, within the framework of the Interreg III A-Project "Building a European Region" (= CENTROPE Europa Region Mitte), the necessary preliminary work and steps of development will be undertaken, which will make the establishment of CENTROPE as a cross-border region and binding structure of cooperation possible.“ (2)
With the concept „Idea“ one refers to virtuality. Within the framework of the VUNW-project we have attempted additions which could be essential for the infrastructural change:
Participation in the construction oft eh region as a space for international and transnational encounter
Building of a lasting WWW-platform
Activation of the non-profit organizations, who create value for billions, but whose conditions are constantly deteriorating
Lasting expansion of the cross-border cooperation of science and research as well as the development of a new system of reference for education (elimination of the functional illiteracy)
Building of infrastructure by a new utilisation of virtuality (conferences, knowledge production, cultural tourism, administration – and in general by a development of new concepts)
The very virtuality of the region, the recognition of the necessity of changes with the inclusion of a new understanding of the importance of virtuality as well as the importance of a solution of the social problems, the determination of its structures with reference to the demands of future developments offer great chances for a outstanding development of the region.
Notes
(1) http://centrope.com/centropestart/