An event focussing on the needs of organisations working in the rural areas of England and how ICT can help in their work is taking place on Wednesday 5th March 2008 at Lackham College near Chippenham, a truly rural setting providing an inspirational backdrop to the event and the discussions to be held.
Keynote speakers for the event are Richard Fox and Ben Taylor from BT who will explain their roles in developing the CSR agenda and their work on digital inclusion, research and development and being different! Access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can open doors to education, jobs, entertainment and personal contacts. Government figures estimate that 60% of existing and 90% of new jobs require at least basic ICT skills meaning that businesses and individuals stand to benefit from a digitally inclusive society wherever they may live.
The event is part of a series of national conferences being promoted by the ICT Hub and Matt Legg from ICT Hub explains why this one on rural issues is so important. “We at the ICT Hub have taken the approach of working with specialist infrastructure agencies to address ICT issues by reaching new audiences. As well as holding events for BME groups, the mental health sector, Arts and Older People, we see this event addressing rural issues as of utmost importance. Rural groups do have a distinct set of issues as regards the use of ICT. Working with COSMIC and I-Trust in developing and running this event we are passionate about addressing some of these needs and raising awareness of the local and national support and materials available to assist these groups in better understanding how ICT can help solve some of these specific issues.”
The conference brings together key players from around the UK in addressing issues of rurality and ICT support, including the national ICT Hub, ruralnet|uk, BT, and key ICT support and service organisations. The event is also being supported by the South West Regional Development Agency which is keen to demonstrate the role of third sector organisations and ICT in developing the regional economy.
Julie Harris, Chief Executive at COSMIC, a social enterprise based in Devon and providing ICT support and services across the South West, has been a key figure in organising the event and promoting it to a wide range of organisations and partners. “This conference is an excellent opportunity to bring people who work in rural organisations together with opportunities to discuss and learn about new ways of working, to find out about work happening across the private, public and third sectors, and to make new contacts to help them in their future work. Technology and ICT is so important in our modern world, and it has such potential for addressing the barriers for rural-based organisations that we really do need to step-up a gear in our approach and engagement in the coming years. The digital divide between organisations which have ICT and are using it effectively and those which are not is as wide as ever, and especially in small rural organisations.”
The event has been organised and promoted by two key social enterprises which offer ICT services and support to organisations working in rural areas – COSMIC in the South West and I-Trust in the East of England. The event will also be sponsored by net:gain and supported by the Regional ICT Champions from across the country whose role has included the support of rural organisations. Several of these Regional Champions will be running workshops at the event to highlight the key issues and case studies which they have experienced in these roles.
Paul Ruskin, Chief Executive of I-Trust based in Cambridge explains why he feels this event is so important at this time : “ICT is a cross-cutting, organisational developmental issue. It impacts on an organisation’s ability to collaborate, network, market and communicate, generate income, deliver services, contribute to society, evaluate performance and govern its activities. Well planned and well resourced ICT is vital, even more so in rural areas where issues such as support costs (distance of travel by support providers) limitations to service provision (broadband costs/availability). We need to ensure ICT development activities are strategic, sustainable, informed (by research and continually reviewed good practice), specific and sensitive to wider ICT strategies but unashamedly specific to the needs of rural VCS organisations, ensuring contributions from all VCS organisations, support structures and client groups to maintain social inclusion. A conference with delegates from this group should allow informed discussion and a clear way forward”
As well as providing a range of presentations and workshops, the event will also be an excellent opportunity for networking, updates and hands-on demonstrations of some new technology. ruralnet|uk is running one of the workshops, and its ground-breaking net:gain programme is sponsoring a cyber-cafe. Here delegates can go online and check follow-up from discussions, and also find out how better planning for ICT will save time, money and headaches. Simon Berry, CEO of ruralnet|uk explains why rural organisations, communities and individuals need to grasp the potential of ICT at this time: “For years, far-sighted techies have been telling rural communities that ICT is their panacea: whether it’s community IT centres bringing well-paid telework, telemedicine and better local services, or simply communications cutting commuting. It hasn’t worked out like that – yet. But every person and organisation needs to think differently and embrace big changes if we are going to harness what’s available now and in the very near future.”
Overall the conference promises to be a top quality opportunity for updates, information, and support for those working in rural organisations, as well as a chance for key debate on the ways which support and services can be improved through new work, partnership and use of technology.
For further information on the event and to book visit
http://www.cosmic.org.uk/news/145
Filed under: Events & Training
