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Following a similar event last year and hot on the heels of Digital Mentors and Digital Challenge, I have received notification of a forthcoming national conference from colleagues at Sunderland City Council. If you have any comments, suggestions or would like further information please contact debbie.ross@sunderland.gov.uk.

Hi All,

A quick formal notification that the National IT in the Community Conference will be held in Sunderland for the second year this year.

The 2 day event will be held in the Stadium of Light on 25th & 26th November. I have attached for your information an overview of the event. There will be a Conference Dinner on 25th at the Marriott in Seaburn.

Charging for the Event is as follows:

Public/Private Sector £145

Voluntary, Community & Charity FREE OF CHARGE

Conference Dinner ALL DELEGATES - £35

We are working in partnership with the events management company Benchmark Communications http://www.benchcom.co.uk/index.htm who will be handling all the PR marketing, bookings and logistics for the Conference.

Speakers and final programme are yet to be confirmed but it is most likely that a mixture of keynote speeches and informal workshops will make this event a must for anyone passionate about work thinking of starting their journey towards developing IT in a community setting – regardless of their sector or organisation.

In the next week Benchmark will be circulating a “Save the date flier” which will give details of the Event and the website etc.

May I ask that in the first instance you reserve these dates in your diaries, and secondly start to raise awareness at all meetings etc, if necessary collecting details of those who are interested in further information so that I can pass these to Benchmark for the e-mailing list.

This will prove to be a high profile and critical event for not only for Sunderland but for Digital Challenge and e-Neighbourhoods, so please give a concentrated effort to raising its profile among our partners.

Many thanks

Kindest Regards

Debbie

Debbie Ross
debbie.ross@sunderland.gov.uk

e-Neighbourhoods Programme Manager

Office: PLEASE NOTE NUMBER CHANGE: 0191 5614216

Blackberry: 07788615548

Fax: 0191 5614200

For more information on e-Neighbourhoods visit: www.sunderland.gov.uk/e-Neighbourhoods

For more information on Digital Challenge visit: www.sunderland.gov.uk/wherepeoplematter

National IT in the Community Conference 2008, Stadium of Light Sunderland

This National Conference will demonstrate the importance of the use of digital technology and innovation to promote social inclusion. It will show the importance of the integration of technology, community engagement, empowerment and capacity building programmes. It will reveal the benefits of engaging directly with communities - placing the ownership upon them.

It will evidence the importance of partnership and the crucial role of the community and voluntary sector in co-creation of services and provision. Delegates will see examples of innovative community development approaches, and hear evidence of how putting local people and the community and voluntary sector at the heart of the decision-making process is a key factor in building cohesive and empowered communities.

Delegates will have the opportunity to view social and digital inclusion programmes from the public, private and third sector perspectives. They will hear of the radical interventions for Digital Equality currently championed by DC10plus – the Digital Inclusion Network. It also provides delegates with opportunities to engage, debate and network with like minded practitioners, and subject leaders.

The conference will mark the first opportunity to see the impacts and benefits of Sunderland’s National Exemplar Digital Challenge Programme which is driven by the needs of communities and powered by real consultation. This Programme aims to drive a transformation in the lives of the people of Sunderland, in particular those that are currently classed as disadvantaged or disengaged. It provides innovative digital inclusion programmes structured around individual’s needs with services being delivered where and how they are needed and wanted, using ICT as an enabler.

Target Audience

Central Government Departments
Local Authorities particularly Senior Policy Makers and those concerned with community development
Voluntary & Community Sector Organisations - particularly those interested in working in partnership with local government
Access and Inclusion related Charities
Welfare Groups
Regional & National Digital Inclusion Partnerships
Engagement Officers / Community Development Officer / Customer Services
Libraries & Information Services
Local Strategic Partnerships
Registered Social Landlords
Job Centre Plus
Citizens Advice
Adult & Community Learning Providers
UK Online Centres
Technology Companies
Regeneration
IT Consultants & Suppliers