OPIS is the main level for implementing an overall national strategy leading to the Information Society. Major institutional actions are being implemented in parallel with supplementary measures under the operational programme.

In its progress toward the IS, Greece faces a series of challenges. In order for the country to be able to benefit from developments, it should confront For the country to capitalise on new developments, certain weaknesses that prevent investment and the creation of new economic activity must be overcome.

Poor functionality of services and equipment must be corrected, and the development of telecommunication services in a completely liberalised environment must accelerate.

The IS is primarily a society based on knowledge and the development of a skilled labour force is key to any intervention strategy. Issues concerning low proportions of the workforce having the necessary skills and the lack of incentives for retraining and continual learning must be addressed as well as the need to adapt educational infrastructure at all levels of education.

With their potential for small-scale development and the emphasis on knowledge, inventiveness and adaptability, ICTs offer an opportunity to overcome the present weaknesses. To accomplish this, a coherent and flexible set of initiatives is needed to offer incentives and to create the appropriate regulatory framework.

Under present circumstances, characterised by Greece’s accession to the Economic and Monetary Union and European unification in general, an overall strategy for the Information Society has eventually been formulated, with specific objectives and implementation procedures. That strategy is based on a number of fundamental principles:

• Innovation and entrepreneurship: The IS is developing on the basis of market mechanisms and the regulatory framework must facilitate new business initiatives and innovation.
• Democracy and personal freedoms: The IS must extend the democratic process and protect citizens’ rights.
• Equal opportunities and social cohesion: The IS must provide all citizens with access to the opportunities, knowledge and markets made available by the new technologies.

There are two general strategic objectives of the OPIS for the period 2000-2006:

The first general objective falls under the heading of “Citizens and quality of life”

 
This relates to improvement in the quality of life for the average citizen by actions in a range of critical sectors such as public administration, health, transport and the environment.

Intervention in these sectors are improve the services offered through integrated information and communications systems as well as through the provision of Services in Public Administration, in real time.

The second objective falls under the heading of “Economic Development and Human Resources”

This relates to the creation of conditions appropriate for supporting a process of economic and social development in which technology and knowledge are the main instruments for increasing productivity and competitiveness, incomes, employment and the skills of the labour force.

It includes developing telecommunications infrastructure, supporting economic mechanisms and employment by making the most of new technologies, creating an education and training system adapted to the needs of the 21st century, and promoting Greek culture.