Discussion on digital exclusion: The most important divide of the 21st Century?

The future of social enterprise will increasingly be found in IT. This is one of the conclusions expected from a discussion held at the headquarters of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT in London next week. The discussion, entitled 'Digital Exclusion: The most important divide of the 21st Century?' is being held following a report commissioned by (BCS) the Chartered Institute of IT to shed new light on the issue of digital exclusion.

Social enterprise is currently at the forefront of both government and business as one solution to easing the financial situation and the social problems it has deepened. The findings of the report demonstrate the empowering and positive impacts of IT on society. The research also found that those who benefit most from access to IT (and consequently lose out more when this is denied) are the socially excluded, in particular women with fewer educational qualifications and on lower incomes. Details of the report entitled 'Information Dividend Report: Can IT make you 'happier'?' are discussed in more detail in my previous article IT increases wellbeing: How this is great news for social enterprise.

Experts from across the IT industry will meet in London on Tuesday to discuss the report's findings. Those on the panel for this discussion include Elizabeth Sparrow, Ken Olisa OBE and Helen Milner. Elizabeth Sparrow, who will chair the discussions, is the president of the Chartered Institute for IT. Elizabeth chaired the BCS External Relations Board, which has begun to develop services aimed at IT entrepreneurs. Under her chair the BCS Government Relations Group launched the Trustworthy eGovernment initiative, which led to the development of the BCS Personal Data Guardianship Code. She will therefore provide an in-depth insight of the delivery of IT to the third sector.

Ken Olisa , BCS Vice Chairman and Fellow of the Institute, recently received an OBE for his commitments to social investment. He holds the position of chairman at homeless charity Thames Reach, which he has led since 1996. During that time, the charity has helped tens of thousands of homeless people to turn their lives around by providing outreach services and safe accommodation. Ken was named as one of the UK's top 10 most influential black people in the Powerlist 2010. Helen Milner is the Managing Director of UK online centers, responsible for ensuring the success and development of the UK online centers network. UK online centers provide millions of people with access to computers and the internet, along with help and advice on how to use them. She has also worked at Ufi (University for Industry), the organization behind learndirect. Learndirect is an e-teaching organization set up to provide high quality learning for people over the age of 16.

Dr Ellen Helsper, specialist in digital exclusion, from London School of Economics will also be on the panel. So will Paul Flatters from Trajectory Partnership, the organization tasked with conducting the research for the Chartered Institute for IT. I am excited to be attending this event and will be interested to see what insights into social investment and enterprise the discussion will bring.

This event will be live streamed here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/information-dividend

Should you wish to attend this event in person please contact Luciab@glasshousepartnership.com by Friday 17th September 2010.

Photo credit: Mark Hillary