GMDDA welcomes Government Strategy on Digital Inclusion May 2, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in AIMES, Community Development, DC10+, DC10plus, DIEP, Digital Inclusion, Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme, Entrepreneurship, GMDDA, Local Authorities, Merseyside, News, Technology, UK Online Centres, e-Skills.Tags: Helen Milner, Paul Murphy MP, Prof Dennis Kehoe, David Parr
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A strategy to get the last third of unconnected UK citizens online is now being drawn up, according to Paul Murphy MP, Minister for Digital Inclusion, at yesterday’s National Digital Inclusion Conference, also attended by GMDDA. In his first speech since his appointment, he revealed the strategy could be in place by summer.
Some 17 million citizens in the UK did not have access to a computer, either at home or at work, he said, “Chances are these people come from an older or socially, economically or geographically disadvantaged group”.
The new cabinet committee set up by Mr Murphy met for the first time last week, “We came up with the following mission statement: To co-ordinate policies and a coherent strategy that all citizens, especially the disadvantaged, can benefit from new technologies,” he told the conference.
Delegates welcomed the appointment of the first cabinet minister to have responsibility for digital exclusion.
“The vision from government seems now to be bigger and bolder,” said Helen Milner, managing director of UK Online centres, community-based groups aimed at connecting the disconnected.
David Parr, Chair of the Greater Merseyside Digital Development Agency agreed, “This is a clear indication that the priorities of GMDDA, tackling digital exclusion in our communities, is also being addressed by central government.”
These views were echoed by Professor Dennis Kehoe, Director of the AIMES Centre at the University of Liverpool, “It is good to hear that Government is addressing digital inclusion at Cabinet-level, comments expressed today mirror exactly our objectives in the Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme for Merseyside. There is a clear link between digital inclusion and economic prosperity”
GMDDA and AIMES are currently working with other partners, including local councils, to digitally enable over 5,000 residents, as well as encouraging enterprise development and other initiatives, such as homeshoring. Read more about the programme here: http://diep.aimes.net/
Wirral TV to launch April 7, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Community Development, Digital Inclusion, Events, GMDDA, Merseyside, News, Wirral, Wirral Community TV.1 comment so far
Wirral TV is set to launch on Friday 18th April 2008 at the Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Road, Birkenhead, Wirral CH43 4UE between 11.30am and 2.30pm
The borough-wide community TV scheme means that residents of Wirral now have the opportunity to train in video production and see their own videos on a special website.
With the aid of grants from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, the Single Regeneration Budget and Riverside Housing, the two-year pilot scheme has provided the kit and specialist training for what could become Wirral’s own community television service.
The project, which was originally administered by Birkenhead Sixth Form College in association with local community trusts, is aimed at all sections of the community and for all age groups. Training courses have given trainees the basic knowledge to allow them to make their own videos.
The idea is that local residents will have the chance to make videos about anything they choose: a local band or football team; an environmental project; a campaign to clean up a local beauty-spot; local history… the choice is as broad as your imagination!
Canapes and refreshments will be served throughout the presentation of the new Wirral TV website, which will go live during the course of the presentation.
Wirral TV hope that you can set some time aside from your busy diary and come along on the 18th to celebrate the official launch of this new successful Social Enterprise and see for yourself how Wirral TV is set to serve the needs of the whole of the Wirral.
If possible please respond before 11th April 2008 for catering purposes either by phone or e-mail.
Telephone: 0151 644 4512
Email: info@wirraltv.net
i-techpartner eServices Forum, 3rd-4th June 2008 March 27, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Business, Entrepreneurship, European Commission, Events, GMDDA, Merseyside, Merseyside ICT, News, North West England, Research, Social Networking, Technology, Technology Transfer, Web 2.0, i-techpartner.1 comment so far
Registration is now open for the i-techpartner eServices Forum which is taking place at the new Liverpool Convention Centre on 3rd & 4th June 2008.
This builds on the success of the 2007 i-techpartner Academy at Daresbury Innovation Centre where over 120 delegates attended, including researchers, small businesses, innovation experts and investers.
Focussing on the areas of web services, mobile applications, web 2.0, software as a service and more, the eServices Forum will be of interest to you if you are:
- an innovative ICT/digital small business looking to grow your business
- a researcher from a university or research institute looking to commercialise your research
- a venture fund or business angel looking for investment opportunities in eServices
- an expert in technology transfer, innovation or business growth
The event is a unique platform for eServices-focused high-growth companies, technology corporations, R&D organisations and international investors from across Europe to exchange knowledge and build effective business connections. (more…)
Easter Bunny challenges families to find Easter online, chance to win a laptop March 25, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Digital Inclusion, GMDDA, Internet, Merseyside, News, Skills, UK Online Centres.Tags: Prize draw
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Most people know Easter is one of the most significant dates in the Christian calendar, but new research from UK online centres reveals that 62% of people in North West aren’t sure why they’re eating chocolate eggs, and a further 64% don’t know what the Easter Bunny has to do with Easter.
Around 41% of those surveyed were convinced we eat chocolate at Easter because of a 19th Century ad campaign, while 29% wrongly believed bunnies were associated in olden days with the increase in daylight hours. The findings have prompted UK online centres to join forces with the Easter Bunny and set an online Easter challenge to families across Merseyside, who are invited to come along to your local centre, look up Easter online and enter a prize-draw for a chance to win a brand new top-of-the-range laptop! (more…)
GMDDA Research Repository March 18, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in GMDDA, News, Research.add a comment
The GMDDA has today launched a Research Repository. This site has been established to enable GMDDA partners to easily share research resources and to cut down on the number of reports being emailed around. You can access the repository here:
The site will act as a repository of links for reports or presentations about anything within the GMDDA’s remit, including: digital inclusion; small business use of technology; e-government or related legislation.
If you use an RSS feed reader, you can receive updates from the site using the following address:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/GmddaResearchRepository
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