The data transmission systems now available enable individuals to communicate with each other on a one-to-one basis or within groups, either interactively or in real time, without the need for a central agency which first produces the data and then transmits them to users.

The new opportunities to exchange ideas and compare views which the Internet in particular offers members of the public are likely to bring about changes in political decision-making procedures as well as in social and cultural behaviour patterns.

Unless democratic institutions are prepared to become part of the information technology 'global village', owing to ignorance and a feeling of impotence they are likely to find themselves reacting in an authoritarian, repressive and censorial manner to the problems created by the availability of new technologies.

Formal channels for communication must therefore be opened between the authorities and the 'on-line' public.

By virtue of its role as a supranational body paving the way to new forms of co-existence between peoples the European Union is particularly well suited to confer full citizenship on the human activities which take place on the Internet. Two means of direct participation in the activities of the Union are already available to European citizens: the right to petition the European Parliament and the right to lodge complaints with the EU Ombudsman. By enabling citizens to exercise these rights via the Internet, the EU would contribute towards more effective implementation of the concept of 'European citizenship' and, by exploiting the Internet's potential, would set a precedent of enormous importance for democratic institutions at all levels.

We therefore call upon the President of the European Parliament and the Ombudsman to open an Internet address to which EU citizens and residents may forward petitions and complaints to the Ombudsman, which would be formally recognized as equivalent to those submitted on paper.

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