Program

Creating and Crossing Digital Bridges

Using digital technology to reduce inequities among and within countries

Digital Bridges are at the heart of our globalization and inter-connectedness as a world.

At the conference, we will explore how to
--CREATE digital bridges that are more accessible and useful
--CROSS the bridges with content that enriches the lives of all

Digital Bridges Track Format

Opening Plenary -- Digital Bridges Village Forum

This Forum will
--occur near the beginning of the official conference
--will be held at a time when most participants can attend
--will be set up as a panel discussion with ample time for facilitated audience participation

The Forum Panel will
--discuss the challenges and opportunities of creating and crossing digital bridges
--bring their particular experiences and ideas to bear on these topics
--represent a diverse set of perspectives from the "North" (e.g., Charlie Gay and/or Michael North, Danny Mack, Ron Swenson, David Germano, Craig Smith, Mark Fitzgerald, ...) and from the "South" (e.g., some representatives from villages, or perhaps some of you on the "north" that have particular experience in rural village, or even urban, life in developing countries)

Digital Bridges Activities & Joint Activities with Other Conference Groups

--Digital Bridges Activities such as the following:

Role playing event to get into more in-depth appreciations of the real world situations

Presentations based on submitted proposals but organized to stimulate dialogue

Artistic exchanges designed to expand awareness of what comes across the bridges;

--Joint Activities with other conference groups such as the following:

Traditional sessions focusing on role of digital technology in that area, such as:

-changing the world economic paradigms (for better or worse) by transferring
certain digital-based jobs from developed to developing countries,
-making information on health care, renewable energy development and water purification more accessible to those who need it
-fostering the exchange of information on cultures and issues around the world
-creating fundamental changes and opportunities for world education

Artistic/Celebration events with the native cultures group

Virtual school house or similar exercises with the education group

Conference Discussion Themes for our Digital Bridges Team

1. Empowering communities to improve quality of life

Transfer of technology and information, in the best outcome, leads to knowledge that empowers villages to improve their quality of life.
--How can information be better organized to help achieve community goals?
--What are the roles of technologies in helping communities?
--How can new and creative uses of technologies and information be encouraged?

2. Developing techniques to most effectively achieve sustainable communities

There are many techniques available to help foster sustainability and some are more community-friendly than others.
--What hardware, software and data/information are most helpful to different communities?
--What are the challenges to transferring these tools?
--Once acquired, what are the best mechanisms for training and certification for system installers, and maintenance/upgrading of equipment and data?

3. Facilitating information flow while protecting individual/organizational rights

Flow of information into and out of the villages can help them become more economically sustainable. Digital media is a pivotal format of information flow. Never the less, protection of individual, organization and community rights to information also is a concern that must be addressed.

3a. What is the information content most needed in villages? How is that information best transmitted, and how can the content providers be adequately compensated?

3b. What kinds of information on community culture and needs should be transmitted to the world from a community? What are the best means for delivering these messages and information? How can remote villagers be adequately compensated for delivery of their unique cultural heritage?