EURIM Activities

What does EURIM Do?

How does EURIM achieve influence?

Working Group activities

Forward Programme (Timetable of Meetings)

Newsletter

What does EURIM do?

 EURIM works at three main levels;-

·         Setting the Political Agenda: examples have included regulatory convergence (1995-7), Y2K (1997) and E-Government (2000-1); Current priorities include Confidence in the Safety and Security of the On-line World (Information Governance, E-Crime etc.), UK competitiveness in the global knowledge economy, and "visions" for 2012 (Public Service Delivery, converged, resilient and ubiquitous broadband, globally competitive workforce updating and lifelong learning frameworks etc.) for inclusion in 2009 party manifestos.

·         Pre-legislative/consultative scrutiny: past examples include the Copyright Directive, RIPA and the 2003 Communications Act; current priorities include personal identity, data sharing and interception modernisation.

·        Response to consultations: past examples have included most of the e-commerce related directives; examples to date in 2008 have included the DIUS Innovation Strategy and the Data Sharing Review (Richard Thomas and Mark Walport).

How does EURIM achieve influence?

EURIM monitors the priorities of its members and observers, and organises round table discussion on issues of concern which are not already being well addressed elsewhere. The conclusions are summarised and circulated for comment. Working groups are created when there is agreement on the need to clarify debate and/or secure the political priority and resources necessary for recommendations to be implemented and effective.

EURIM also organises formal and informal activities for interaction with ministers, officials, parliamentarians and policy advisors to help ensure that members' concerns are heard and considered at all other levels within the policymaking process. For example, in June 2008, we organised the highly successful Identity Assurance Showcase, attended by Government ministers, parliamentarians, officials and industry members. The event was designed to inform guests to learn about successful, secure, operational, large-scale cross-boundary identity management systems from providers with practical experience with people and processes, not just the enabling technology.
(http://www.eurim.org.uk/whats_new/events/showcase080610/index.php).

The reputation of EURIM is built upon the value of such activities in helping members to monitor developments and secure action, especially on "difficult" issues, without unnecessary publicity or controversy. The EURIM newsletter and other reports are also highly valued by many in senior positions.