Three key themes:

Theme 1: Local community development and entrepreneurship. This will focus on how ICTs are being used to support challenges that are faced by some communities with regard to poor economic opportunities; low levels of digital literacy and e-skills and issues around social cohesion. It will explore in particular how ICTs are being used to develop individual and social capital and community capacity, and to support entrepreneurship.

Theme 2: Language and identity in a culturally diverse Europe. Language is a complex and contested issue in e-inclusion. On the one hand, ICTs are being deployed to promote ‘multi-lingualism’ – for example to help new immigrants improve their job opportunities by learning the language of the ‘host country’. On the other, they are being used to promote a different inclusion agenda – that of promoting cultural diversity by preserving the culture and language of ‘minority’ and therefore excluded cultures. This theme will reflect on these issues as well as related issues around ‘identity’ within a European society, and how identity is itself being re-shaped through ICTs.

Theme 3: Introduction initiatives and services, inclusive eGovernment and participation. This theme will focus particularly on the problems faced by newly-arrived immigrants and how ICTs can be used to better support their integration.

Each theme will be illustrated in the workshop with reference to a relevant case study presentation. These presentations will be followed by three interactive discussion groups that will further explore the three themes and their respective issues in the light of the cases presented, and supported by the insights and experiences of workshop participants themselves. Workshop participants are encouraged to consider the themes and questions posed by the workshop, and to be prepared to bring to the table their own views and perspectives.