This event will reflect on the challenges of digital participation, digital literacies and raising the digital skills of our nation. When we improve both the access to and skill level of digital participation, we open opportunities for employment, higher wages, social inclusion and the option to be included in multiple layers of society whilst reducing inequalities and cycles of disadvantage.
The arguments for digital participation and digital skills are mute, the time now is to share the best practice examples of success and look to future opportunities to make a digital Scotland work for everybody.
Join us to hear from experts and policymakers as we examine what digital inclusion looks like in 2020, explore the measures that are being taken to support digital access and skills, and ask what more should be done by the Scottish Government, local authorities, and service providers.
09:15 Registration and Refreshments
09:55 Welcome and Introduction from the Chair
Peter McColl, Independent Consultant
Session 1: Policy and Context
- Inclusion in context: the digital strategy and Scotland’s Digital Participation Charter
- The impact of low digital inclusion on wellbeing, community, education, and employment
- The link between low digital skills and other forms of exclusion and inequality
- Digital nudges, digital safety and increasing digital skills
10:00 Digital Participation – Policy in Context
Overview of Scottish Government policy on digital participation and cyber security skills.
Sarah McLeod, Scottish Government, Digital Participation Team
10:20 Sally Dyson, Head of Digital Participation – Digital and Programmes, SCVO
10:40 Melinda Matthews-Clarkson, CEO, CodeClan
11:00 Questions and Discussion
11:20 Refreshment Break
11:40 Session 2: Improving Digital Participation and Skills
- Priorities for reaching disadvantaged demographics
- Beyond access - supporting motivation, skills and confidence
- Digital Skills, workforce development, is your workforce digitally capable?
- Encouraging people and businesses to get online and benefit from digital opportunities
- Challenges around boosting skills in areas with limited digital infrastructure
11:40 Digital Living - Independent Living
- Exploring how digital supports citizens to live at home longer
- How digitally innovative is the Scottish housing sector
Graeme Hamilton, Neighbourhood Connect Project Manager, Blackwood Group
12:00 Developing Digital Participation For People With A Learning Disability
Gregor Hardie, Director of People, People First Scotland
12:20 The App That Bookbug Built
- The process of co-creating an app with families and early years professionals to support our Bookbug programme
- Encouraging families to sing and rhyme every day with a new digital resource
Ruth Grindley, Digital Projects Manager, Scottish Book Trust
12:40 Questions and Discussion
13:00 Lunch and Networking
13:40 Session 3: Good practice and Case Studies
Good practice and innovative approaches to boosting participation and inclusion
- The role of public services in nurturing greater digital literacy
- A community approach to improving digital skills and inclusion
- Balancing digital with traditional communication and service delivery methods
13:40 Engagement Of ‘Digital Natives’ And Youth Work Approaches To Digital Inclusion
Zara Kitson, Head of Community Engagement, The Princes Trust
14:00 Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive Officer at the Scottish Library and Information Council
14:20 Gift-tech, Bridging the Digital Divide
- Reducing the Colleges digital carbon footprint
- Responding to local, regional and national key drivers
- Promoting digital and social Inclusion within our communities
- Improving retention and attainment within learning
- Supporting volunteering and active citizenship
Scott Renton, Head of ICT & Sheila White, Community Learning & Development Manager, Gift-tech Project
14:40 Questions and Discussion
14:55 Chair’s Closing Remarks
Peter McColl, Independent Consultant
15:00 Close of Event
Please note the agenda is subject to change
Book now or email or call Laura on 0131 285 4457
If you have an inspiring case study or a project that you think is relevant, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are always on the lookout for new speakers.