Session: Mainstreaming digital inclusion: Aligning community needs with LAA outcomes
The City of London Community ICT project (or ‘eChampion project’) commenced in January 2008 as a partnership between industry (BT), the third sector (Citizens Online) and the public sector (the City of London). The aim of the partnership is to explore, in line with national digital inclusion policy, the use of technology to improve the social outcomes of residents in the City of London and on the City fringe – particularly those in more deprived areas. The goal is that in 2011 evidence of social impact, working models and practical guidance will emerge for other local authorities in England to mainstream this type of digital inclusion programme into their corporate and community plans.
Biography
Beatrice joined the Digital Inclusion Team in April 2007 and manages its Local Government facing workstream which contributes towards CLG’s digital inclusion capacity building programme. Led by CLG, this programme aims to promote the effective use of ICT by local service providers and users in order to:
- deliver positive social and economic outcomes and
- increase Local Strategic Partnerships’ capacity, efficiency and innovation in delivering Local Area Agreements, achieve Sustainable Community Strategy vision and meet local improvement targets.
From 1999 to 2007 Beatrice was employed in several roles at Intellect, the trade association for the UK technology industry, working as an ambassador to promote the ICT industry and place technology in context – helping people understand how it can be used for benefit within society and the economy.
Beatrice headed up Intellect’s Knowledge Economy Programme, contributing thought leadership on the development of knowledge economy policy and identifying practical ‘real world’ advice and solutions - from skills investment to developing innovation.
Beatrice has authored and contributed to several reports notably “Navigating the New Economy: Defining and Measuring Progress Towards the UK Knowledge Economy”, “Procurement - Getting IT Right for Business” and the “AEB Web Security Guidelines”.
