Digital Inclusion Wales: 2008 Conference Report 01
Keynote Address: Leighton Andrews AM
Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Welsh Assembly Government
affect them, to consult them more • People living in the Valleys and
effectively, to make technology south west Wales are less likely
more accessible for people to to have a home connection.
debate issues.
We know people still feel
I have a blog and am now on comfortable saying ‘I can’t use
Facebook. I joined Facebook computers’ when they would be
because of a group established very uncomfortable saying they
by a new Cardiff City FC were illiterate or innumerate.
supporters trust.
The danger is that people who
Communities @One is bringing don’t ‘get’ the new technologies,
technologies to people in ways could become increasingly socially
that are of interest and relevance and economically disenfranchised.
to them – to show them how Those left behind risk not just
The conference’s keynote
technologies can help them do digital exclusion, but exclusion from
speech was delivered by
the things they want to do – so a whole areas of life.
Leighton Andrews AM, Deputy
computer is not simply a box on
Minister for Regeneration,
the desk that is inaccessible and Bridging the digital divide is central
Welsh Assembly Government.
difficult to use. to new ways of viewing inclusion
A full transcript of the Deputy
and exclusion. The European Union
Minister’s speech is as follows:
The Communities @One Initiative sees this as one of its highest
has been our flagship digital priorities.
“Good morning and thanks for
inclusion programme. I am
inviting me to the Communities
delighted to be here today to As most of you will know from
@One conference here today.
celebrate the good work that your involvement in the initiative,
has been undertaken. Communities @One seeks to
I am delighted to see Rhys Radio
here today, from my own
constituency of the Rhondda. I will
>Bridging the digital divide is central
say a bit more on them during the
to new ways of viewing inclusion
course of the speech.
and exclusion
I am pleased to be here to
celebrate the work of Communities
Research by the Welsh Consumer ensure digital inclusion across
@One and highlight the important
Council indicates that: the most deprived communities
role that it has played in bridging
the digital divide throughout Wales.
• People in social classes AB
in Wales. The initiative aims to
are twice as likely as groups in
give individuals and communities
It goes without saying that the role
social classes DE to have a
access to and the support to
of technology is vital in modern day
home internet connection.
ensure that they make the best
use of the current and emerging
society. As politicians, we are
• Only 25% of the over 65s have digital opportunities.
always told that we need to find
a home connection compared
new ways to reach out to the
to 70% of the 35-44 year-olds. Communities @One itself has built
public, to make it easier for them
on the experience of the Welsh
to contact us, to make it easier for
Assembly Government’s
them to take part in decisions that
Communities First programme by
putting in place Community