Agreement on a single EU hotline number for missing children

This means in particular that the 116000 number will be made available for hotlines for missing children. Member States are asked to make this major initiative for children's rights a reality as soon as possible.

"Having a single number for reporting missing children represents a concrete example of how the EU has made children's rights one of its priorities," said EU Telecom Commissioner Viviane Reding. "I therefore call upon all EU Member States to be very active in implementing the '116 initiative'. The safety of our children does not tolerate delay".

The Commission's '116 initiative' allows a single number to be reserved for the same service across Europe. Services provided through 116 freephone numbers will benefit citizens by helping those in difficulty, or by contributing to their well-being or safety.

Hotline telephone numbers for parents to report missing children already exist in several EU countries, but they currently use different telephone numbers in different countries. Having a common hotline number, 116000, will greatly help parents if they lose their child while travelling or on holiday in another European country.

The Commission's draft Decision to reserve numbers beginning with 116 for harmonised services of social value in Europe has today been endorsed by the Communications Committee, an expert group of Member States' representatives. Approval by this committee paves the way for the Commission to adopt this Decision, which will be binding on Member States, in early 2007. On 11 December 2006, Commissioner Reding had at the Telecom Council called upon all Ministers to support urgent progress on this Commission proposal.

A public call will be launched early next year to identify other services that may benefit from 116 numbers.

Related links to this article:
European Commission

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Finalists in the e-Government National Awards 2006
The Local Authority National Survey is now underway, asking all UK councillors and senior staff at the 467 UK Local Authorities their views and plans for 2007-8. The results identify Local Authority plans for investment in shared services to deliver the vision in the Local Government White Paper. Tickets are still available for the 17th Jan e-Government National Conference where the results will be announced.

89 finalists in 11 categories in the e-Government National Awards 2006 have been announced. The Awards recognise and praise the best strategies, achievements, teams and individuals in UK e-Government. Judging takes place shortly and finalists will be announced the first week of November. The Awards will be presented at a prestigious dinner at the Savoy in London on 17th January 2007. For details of booking seats at the dinner and conference please see this link.

The Awards are supported by the Cabinet Office e-Government Unit, the Office of Government Commerce, the Society of Information Technology Management (Socitm), and SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers). Platinum sponsor is KPMG, and also a sponsor are SunGard and O2.