2009 was the first year with the new steering committee for Denmark’s Electronic Research Library (DEFF). As committee members we have encountered a collaborative organisation that focuses on positioning Denmark at the very front as a knowledge society and creating the best opportunities for students, educators and researchers to get access to relevant knowledge.

The initial task for the steering committee was to ensure stability of the work in a dialogue with the programme groups about their action plans. It meant that in continuation of the approval of the programme groups’ action plans we worked out a budget for the implementation of these.

In the autumn we made the first moves for the preparation of a new strategy which is based on the sound infrastructural foundation, which DEFF has established, and i.a. also the fact that 2009 was the year when gymnasiums (upper secondary schools), Social and Health Care Schools (SOSUs) and Centres for Adult Education (VUCs) joined the DEFF family. The inclusion of the many, new institutions in DEFF makes it possible to make sure that the majority of the future work force will grow up with the application of digital knowledge. This provides a unique springboard for Denmark becoming an innovative and competitive society. It is this ambition that the steering committee will pursue in the work related to the new strategy. In 2010 we are going to concretise the work and involve the DEFF family, the programme groups, our many partners and the politicians in the implementation of DEFF’s mission, vision and strategy.

I hope that all DEFF stakeholders will share our ambitions about a new strategy and participate actively in the work.

With best wishes

Mai Buch
Chairwoman, DEFF Steering Committee