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Top news: Internet safety fears could keep excluded parents offline 

19 February 2008

A third of UK adults remain offline, and are not only missing out on the digital revolution but paying a high price for exclusion.  

Those already at a social or financial disadvantage are three times more likely to be on the wrong side of the digital divide, and further excluded by the fact they cannot access the opportunities, information and savings computers and the internet can provide.  

How to reach the final third – the estimated 33 to 39 per cent of the population still offline – and how to make technology work for the people with most to gain from it, will dominate the thoughts of key players in the world of digital innovation and digital inclusion at an event at the end of April.  

Representatives from across the public, private and third sectors will meet at the third National Digital Inclusion Conference to examine the digital state of the nation, and discuss what actions need to be taken to make a real and sustainable impact on the deepening digital divide.  

The National Digital Inclusion Conference 2008 – ‘Reaching the final third’ – will take place on Tuesday 29 April at The Brewery in London.  

Hosted by Civic Conferences in association with UK online centres and DC10plus, the Conference will be chaired by Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive at the RSA, with speakers including Minister for Schools Jim Knight MP, Fabio Colassanti from the EU-E Inclusion Directorate and Baroness Andrews OBE from the Department of Communities and Local Government.  Other contributors will include Mark MacGann, Director General at EICTA, Mike Huges, Head of Inclusion Programmes at BT and Stephen Uden, Head of Skills and Economic Affairs at Microsoft.  

As well as hearing keynote speeches, the latest digital research and plans for future policy development, attendees will get the chance to take part in creative workshops and attend an evening networking reception the day before the event.  

Managing Director of UK online centres Helen Milner commented: “Technology continues to transform how we work, socialise and access key services.  Those left behind are missing out - and paying an increasingly high price for their exclusion.  As we move forward, there is evidence of a corresponding cost to government, to the economy and to society as a whole.  The need to reach the final third is itself finally reaching decision makers and policy makers.  

“The last year has seen significant changes both in the use of technology and in government structure and thinking – the first ever Minister for Digital Inclusion, new consultations on informal learning and internet use, plus Jim Knight’s announcement for a Home Access Taskforce.  This year’s conference will build on the recent changes to offer delegates an opportunity not just to push digital inclusion from the peripheries into the limelight, but to really scope and shape action for the future.”

Stephen Dodson, National Director for theDC10plus Network, added: “There has never been a better time to bring together policy makers and practitioners to discuss fully and clearly these converging developments. The economic, social environmental challenges we face across all sectors can only be tackled by clearly identifying common goals and searching out innovative and creative solutions to meeting those. The National Digital Inclusion Conference 2008 provides the ideal place for collaboration, for sharing good practice and for developing next practice thinking in how we jointly address these fundamental challenges.”

Ends

For further information about the National Digital Inclusion Conference 2008 and to book please visit www.civicconferences.co.uk or contact Rebecca Lovatt, Civic Conferences, 0207 378 0422 - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Notes to editors