"I want to be a champion of digital technologies that deliver better and more prosperous lives for the citizens and businesses of Europe."
Neelie Kroes, has taken on the newly-created Digital Agenda portfolio and we are glad that Women & IT & Entrepreneurship are high on her agenda. On Neelie Kroes' blog, the Commissioner for the Digital Agenda writes the following:

It is my pleasure to announce that there are now 50 companies signed up to the European Commission’s Code of Best Practices for Women in ICT. This is a ten-fold increase in just one year.

The spread of this code of practice is one of several actions the Commission is taking to address the ridiculous situation where young women now use computers as often as men, and get more university degrees than men, but are still virtually absent from high-tech jobs. This does not make social or economic sense, not lease because e-skills are key to an inclusive economic recovery! The answer is in front of us: we must invest in women, and this investment must be driven by the industry itself.

For her work for women, she has received the Aletta Jacobs Prize, a prize recognising achievement and campaigning by Dutch women. From her acceptance speech we take the following highlights:

• "If my profile has made me a role model, then I take on that responsibility.

• A well-informed mind is the best security. And generations of well-informed minds are what are needed to give our country and Europe a bright future. I hope other women take their education seriously, and use it not just to advance themselves, but to participate in all areas of life and to bring their learning to those forums. Use you education to help others.

• Your education will also help to secure you financially, yes. But independence matters more. Do not be afraid to be different.Had I not been born a woman, I am nearly certain that I would have taken a greater role in my family's transport company in Rotterdam. There was no way my father would accept a woman as his successor. He told me that the wheeling and dealing that were at the heart of the business were no place for a woman. And the truth is that I accepted that. This meant I was sidelined as only an adviser to the business

• Women are good at hard choices – we have to be. As in the case of my own life, unfair situations for individuals can sometimes generate unexpected benefits - but only if you seize the opportunities you do have. The world needs women.

• Living longer may be the secret weapon we have as women. If we can't beat men – we at least know we can outlive them! My message is that women in the 21 st century can have active and working lives to whatever age we want; we don’t have to be limited by the prejudice of others.

• In that same spirit I want to issue a call to women to abandon their fears of failure. Success is not just about making to the boardroom - it is about pursuing your passions. Too many women avoid entrepreneurship because they are afraid of failure. ⁶ That is a big reason why women account for only 30% of Europe's entrepreneurs. We are missing out on millions of brilliant women because we don't encourage them to take risks.

• Likewise, women should see technology as a great equaliser. And they should be supported - with access and e-skills – to become technology leaders rather than only followers or the excluded.

• I do not believe you have to be an elected or high-level official to make a difference. It is the millions of daily actions of all the unknown women of The Netherlands that really determines how women can live and succeed. Your impact is based on your opinions and organisation – no matter where you apply it. Please join me and use what you have to help build a more humane society."

(for the full text, see the Aletta Jacobs speech)

In a public confirmation hearing with the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy in January, Ms Kroes explained her priorities, including:

Infrastructure. Investment in dense, open high-speed broadband networks

A truly online single market "for goods, for both commercial and cultural content and for services not yet imagined"

Trust and Security in the online market place

Open standards and interoperability

A deeper commitment towards research and innovation

Improving internet access and skills needed to benefits of ICT technologies

Ms Kroes described Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as the drivers for growth and employment in Europe, expressing the hope that the new Digital Agenda would produce "European solutions that enable better and more prosperous daily lives for all Europeans".

Her favoured approach is to work closely with industry and stakeholders, but has made it clear that if that does not produce proper solutions "the public authorities have to take their responsibilities in order to achieve our common objectives".

For her new appointment and for her views, she is the Female Internet Hero of the month.