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13/10/04
Digital Engagement of Citizens Ambitious, but Important Goal for the UK
Intellect welcomes Digital Inclusion Panel’s Report and confirms commitment with launch of new Digital Convergence Council.
Intellect welcomes the Digital Inclusion Panel report, 'Enabling a Digitally United Kingdom', and considers its publication to be an important step towards increased digital engagement of citizens throughout the UK.
In parallel with this Intellect also reaffirms its own commitment to the Government’s digital engagement goals, through the announcement of its intention to establish a new cross industry council designed to address the issues of communications convergence and interoperability within the UK.
As outlined within the DIP report (page 7), the Intellect Digital Convergence Council, will be designed to cut across traditional broadcast and telecommunications industry barriers, to enable the converged digital industry to understand the new trends shaping the marketplace, to inform the digital debate, and to ultimately inform Government’s policy development process.
John Higgins, Intellect’s Director General said, "Intellect firmly believes that widespread digital engagement will be critical to the UK’s ability to become a knowledge economy. We have to move beyond current levels of take-up to the point where the vast majority of citizens have the access, skills, confidence and motivation to participate fully in digital Britain. It’s an ambitious, but important goal for the UK."
"In order to achieve the digital engagement vision, Industry, Government and the Voluntary Sector needs to work together to turn the ideas and principles outlined in the DIP Report into well defined and targeted actions. In addition, Government also needs to provide increased certainty and clarity over key digital milestones; specifically DTV switchover, and Intellect again asks that Government gives a firm commitment on the digital switchover timetable and makes a public decision as quickly as possible."
"Intellect is wholly committed to working in partnership with the various stakeholders to enable increased digital engagement within the UK. Through our new Intellect Digital Convergence Council we hope to inform the debate, and provide the technological understanding required to develop new and innovative service offerings. This is something of vital importance, as it is only when the services deliver real benefits to citizens that true widespread digital engagement will become a reality."
Copies of the report can be found at: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk
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