Politics have a lot to do with successful goal-oriented networking, with the use, systematisation and standardisation of information and with the communication of policy aims. Within the framework of open societies, politics aim at being inclusive. Politicians, especially at election time, have an interest in optimising the communication between all stakeholders -between politicians and the electorate, and between lobbyists and decision-makers. Communication is central to politics. So what

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... be a better place to open a conference on networking entities than the Parliament of Lower Austria. Due to globalisation the questions of participation and worldwide exchange accentuate the need for consensus on the basics of human values and behaviour. Minimum standards on the basis of human rights are of paramount importance and have gained in urgency. Due to internet and its availability for the good and the bad, and due to the effects of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the economy and on employment, the issue of e-Inclusion is perhaps the most important question to be addressed. Increasingly, it is regarded as a legitimate political goal and is expected to increase efficiency in many areas. The extraordinary Lisbon European Council of 23rd and 24 th of March 2000 called for 'an information society for all'. At the international institutional level we have many protocols and contracts emphasising 'a one world approach'. The environment 1. Based on the opening address at the 11 th EATA International Conference on Networking Entities 'NETTIES 2005'. 12 th -15 th October, Government Quarter St. Pölten, Austria.