L 14/32 [EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18.1.2001 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 22 December 2000 adopting a multiannual Community programme to stimulate the development and use of European digital content on the global networks and to promote linguistic diversity in the information society (2001/48EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 157(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Whereas: (1) The evolution towards an information and knowledge society should influence the life of every citizen in the European Union by, inter alia, affording new means of gaining access to knowledge and new ways of acquiring knowledge. (2)  The Lisbon Summit stressed the need to bridge the digital divide in the emerging information society and to strengthen social cohesion. (3)  Digital content plays a predominant role in this evolu- tion. Four million Europeans are currently employed in the content sector. Content production has given rise to rapid job creation in recent years and continues to do so. Most of these jobs are created in small emerging () O] C 337E, 28.11.2000, p. 31. A Opinioln delivered on 14.12.2000 (not yet published in the Official ournal). é) JOpinion delivered on 29.11.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (*) Opinion delivered on 14.12.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). companies. This will radically change the conditions of access to knowledge or acquisition of it, and thus consti- tutes an essential asset for economic growth, enterprise and employment, and enhancing the professional, social and cultural development, and the creativity and innova- tive capacity of the citizens of Europe now and in the future. The economic and social potential of the development of digital content extends to the culture, education, training and leisure sectors. The structures and business environment of the content industries are changing fast. Respect for intellectual property and labelling of works are preconditions for increased distribution and exploita- tion of digital content on global networks. There are numerous barriers to the full development of the European content industries and markets. The Bonn ministerial declaration, issued at the confer- ence of 6 to 8 July 1997 on the role of global networks for the information society, devotes special interest to the Internet commercial developments, thus forming the basis for the continuing discussions on Internet content, management issues and electronic commerce. On 8 December 1999 the Commission adopted the eEurope initiative which was subsequently welcomed by Member States at the Helsinki European Council of 10 and 11 December 1999.