The digital inclusion world is being invited to save the date for the next National Digital Inclusion Conference - 10 and 11 March 2010 - and challenged to develop new thinking and new partnerships to Pass IT on.

The Conference - NDI10 - is run by Civic Agenda with key partners including UK online centres. Now in its fifth year, it's become a key date in the digital inclusion calendar, and an opportunity for cross sector partners, practitioners, policy makers and thinkers to get together for two days of debate and networking.

Last year no less than six Ministers took to the stage in front of 400 delegates and 600 followers on the live web stream. This year the Conference is promising to be both bigger and broader, with delegates called upon for ideas, models and pledges to help 'Pass IT on' and make digital inclusion happen on the ground.

The RSA's Matthew Taylor will be back as Chair to re-cap on the months of unprecedented interest in digital participation, and ask if and how it's been translated into frontline action. He'll be demanding evidence of progress, partnership and future plans. There'll be more discussion and more thought leadership from key figures in the worlds of technology and policy, more exhibition space, more social media coverage, and more opportunities for interaction and contribution by attendees.

Matthew Taylor says: "NDI09 was held in the wake of Digital Britain, and on the eve of Martha Lane Fox's appointment as the nation's Champion for Digital Inclusion. Since then Digi Inc has been discussed from Fleet Street to Downing Street, and the band wagon bandied about in conference halls and meeting rooms the length and breadth of Britain. We may have made the proverbial (and relative) 'big time', but has it actually made a difference? Accept no imitations and no limitations: this is the place where the conversation began, and where collectively we can and have got the ear of those at the top of our food chain. What we need now is the voices of the people at the grassroots. If you've got something to say on DI progress or practice, NDI10 is your chance to make a contribution, and our chance to make things happen post-Digital Britain and pre-election."

The 2010 National Digital Inclusion Conference is being shaped by Civic Agenda supported by partners including UK online centres, Becta, DC10Plus, the Nominet Trust, Directgov, Citizens Online, StartHere, Intel, YouthNet, NHS Choices, BT, Race Online 2012 and representatives from the Departments for Business, Innovation and Skills and Communities and Local Government.

Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK online centres explains: "It really is in partnership that digital inclusion is at its strongest, and it's been fantastic to have such a committed group of people planning for this year's event. Over the last five years we've established a real community of practice and opinion, and it's as a community we need to come together at NDI10 to consider how we can keep up momentum and keep on Passing IT on. This year I'd like us to really focus on digital participation in terms of people and places rather than organisations and initiatives - that's got to be our collective message to all three political parties, and the ultimate goal for digital inclusion itself."

Conference founder Robin Knowles adds: "We want to make the audience feel as welcome as possible this year so we're applying a flat rate of £25 a day for the community, charity, and government sectors to attend. We need representation from across the DI community to build a picture of where we are now, where we want to be, and how we're going to work together to get there. Leave the sales pitches at the door and come prepared to roll up your sleeves, think through the issues and join the debate."

The event will be held at Vinopolis in South London, for an estimated audience of 400, with places going on a first come first served basis. To book or find out more, please visit the Conference website at www.nationaldigitalinclusionconference.co.uk.

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For more information please contact Abi Stevens at astevens@ufi.com or on 0778 666 0689. Press passes are available on request.

Notes to editors