South Bristol Digital Neighbourhoods Launch April 2, 2009

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South
Bristol Digital Neighbourhoods Programme
Bristol is a progressive
city with major regeneration plans in place for South Bristol. Working with a wide range of
local partners including Bristol City Council, Knowle West Media Centre and the DC10plus digital challenge finalists Connecting Bristol, the South Bristol
Digital Neighbourhoods Programme (SBDN) aims to bring economic, social &
environmental benefits of increased digital access, engagement and innovation to South
Bristol. The programme will work with the community and public, voluntary and commercial sectors to create a thriving digital economy driven by a digitally skilled community.
The Launch
Speakers:

Wayne David - Under Secretary of State for Wales & Deputy Minister for Digital Inclusion
Barbara Janke - Leader of Bristol City Council
Martin Grisman - Chief Executive of Matthew Clarke
George Ferguson - Arcanthus Ferguson Mann Architects, Tobacco Factory, former President of RIBA
Michael Dunn - BT SW Regional Director
Stephen Dodson - Director of DC10plus (Digital Challenge finalists network)

Schedule:

3:00 - Refreshments and networking
3:30 - Speakers
4:30 - Ideas exchange workshops
5:15 - Summation & closing address
5:30 - Networking, displays, tours of media centre, refreshments

...more about the SBDN programme
South Bristol has below
average levels of connectivity and uptake of digital technologies. While
demographics vary considerably, some areas score highly on the national indices
of deprivation. In particular South Bristol has high levels of disability
benefit claimants, who potentially have much to gain from digital inclusion,
and have some of the lowest levels of digital uptake. With low levels of
employment and limited local employment opportunities, the community has much
to gain from the digital economy and the flexible working it enables.
The vision of the SBDN
programme is to create a state-of-the-art digital community, where a thriving
digital economy is driven by a digitally skilled community. Project themes will focus on developing
internet access through high capacity internet connections, embedding ICT and
digital media skills into the community, implementing strategies to provide
flexible employment opportunities and enhance service delivery through the use
of ICTs, promote and support ground up community participation and provide a healthy,
positive living environment through green ICT initiatives.
Examples of some of the activities
the programme aims to provide to support these themes include: internet learning activities and higher
digital skills workshops, e-democracy workshops, training and digital mentoring
opportunities, workshops to help businesses, and activities to help community
groups and service providers to make the most of digital opportunities.



Organized by Knowle West Media Centre
KWMC is based in Bristol, England and is engaged in
developing the creative, educational and social potential of people
within the surrounding community and the city as a whole.

We have an expanding portfolio of projects reaching out to the wider
South West region of England and nationally. In particular we have
extensive experience of engaging young people in a range of creative
projects.
The media centre acts as a creative focal point for the community,
providing access to project facilities, training and mentoring, as well
as managed workspace for local businesses.

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Ticket Info:  South Bristol Digital Neighbourhoods Launch, Free

Official Website: http://sbdn-upcoming.eventbrite.com