For many years, NIACE research has pointed to the absolute correlation between the learning poor, the digitally poor and the economically poor, yet most of the existing work in this area has focused on the needs of children, schools and teachers. This conference will discuss why Digital Britain matters to adult learning policy and why practitioners and policy-makers need to take notice of its contents and participate actively in its implementation.

As a member of the Consortium of Stakeholders for the promotion of Digital Participation, NIACE aims to support the delivery of the Digital Britain White Paper through partnership working with broadcasters, voluntary and community groups, employers via the 21,000-strong network of union learning representatives, libraries and cultural institutions and adult learning practitioners and policy-makers.

The day will outline the three key strands which will ensure a digitally-participative Britain where adults – including those from the most disadvantaged groups – are engaged with the world of bits and bytes in practical and meaningful ways.