global forum attendees listen attentively to Tuesday morning's keynote speakers.Photo by Heather Hodder.

Moderated by Madeline Slosteen Thiel, Senior Program Manager Services&IT implementation Department, Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems-VINNOVA, the panel discussion covered topics from online trust and

Keynote speakers included : Beatrice Covassi, Counselor for the Digital Agenda, European Union,Delegation to the US, European Union, Ulf Dahlsten,  Principal Adviser DG Competition, European Commission, Martin Kohn, Associate Director, Healthcare Analytics, IBM, USA,  Cecilio Madero Villarejo, Director DC Comepetition, European Commission, Robert Morin, Secretary Genearl Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission-CRTC, Canada and Commissioner Thomas J. Rosch, Federal Trade Commission- FTC, USA.

“We’re looking to create user-generated tools to solve problems for tomorrow,” said Ulf Dahlsten, European Commission.

Dahlsten’s remarks resonated with many of the speakers who’s goverment programs are looking to also be one step ahead of  consumer needs of the future.

Speakers discussed the need for getting more people online, focusing on eLearning and digital training.

” The global village is going digital in a hurry, ” said Robert Morin, of  CRTC, Canada.

“In June 2009  new measures were announced for people with disabilities  that required wireless providers offer at least one device for people with hearing impairments,” said Morin, “Devices for special needs for visual or hearing impairment is a growing sector in Canada. Anyone can find themselves living with  a dissability, not just Canadians.”

” Not only is there market potential, but social responsibility, ” Morin added.

Martin  Kohn, Associate Director of Healthcare Analytics for IMB,  also stressed the importance of social responsibility with advancing technology.

” A strong relationship between physicians and patients helps overall opinion of healthcare,” said Kohn, in explaining the strategy behind empowering healthcare consumers, through advanced technology and streamlined medical information.

Not only does it make patients happier, but lightens the workload for physicians too.

Moving towards digital healthchart’s is a major improvement from the old system, ” Their worst fear [physicians] is  digging out a file a 23 page report for an elderly patient, ” said Morin.

” New technology is not a solution [for social problems], but it’s a tool to move towards a more effective system, to reduce costs,” Morin said.