Star line-up debate UK digital policy at Edge Hill University

Government Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox and Oscar-winning film producer Lord David Puttnam are among a star line-up who will debate Britain's digital future to mark Edge Hill University's 125th anniversary.

A panel of the country's leading commentators on the digital revolution, including BAFTA-winning media producer Anthony Lilley OBE and Edge Hill Chancellor Professor Tanya Byron, will take part in Manifesto for Change: A Debate on Britain's Digital Future on Thursday 16 September at 5:00pm on Edge Hill University's Ormskirk Campus.

The eminent panel will present their digital manifestos, presenting what they believe are the key components in creating a strong UK digital economy and a nation of confident digital citizens.

Government Digital Champion and founder of lastminute.com Martha Lane Fox will present her newly-launched Manifesto for a Networked Nation for the first time in the North West. She will outline plans to get the 10m UK citizens who currently don't access the Internet online by 2012, describing the social, moral and economic case why "everyone will be better off when we're all online".

Renowned Oscar-winning film producer and Labour Peer Lord David Puttnam will present his manifesto on education and the lifelong learning opportunities created from the digital revolution. He will look at the role of ‘crowd-sourcing' and, in an era of cloud computing, how open access to learning can be achieved.

The audience will have a not-to-be-missed chance to put questions to the panel and join in a live interactive vote where they can rate each manifesto.

Professor Tanya Byron, Government Adviser on Child Internet Safety said: "We now live in an age in which digital technologies play a key role in our lives. They've opened up endless opportunities for us to learn, communicate and be creative, and are constantly evolving at an ever increasing pace. While this is tremendously exciting, we must ensure the UK is not left behind in developing a strong and secure digital economy and a society of competent digital citizens.

"This wonderful panel have agreed to come to Edge Hill University to discuss the key issues surrounding the development of UK digital policy which will ensure that we are secure in our digital future."

Dr John Cater, Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University, said: "This is the most significant public gathering of experts on the digital revolution in the UK this year, bringing together the author of the Government's report on Internet Safety, the Chair of the UK Digital Content Forum, the founder of lastminute.com and the Government's Digital Champion, and the Oscar-winning film producer and Chair of the National Film and Television School.  We are delighted and privileged that they have all committed themselves to debating Britain's digital future at this University as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations."

The event is free to attend. To book a place, email corporateevents@edgehill.ac.uk. Be quick - places are limited.

Hear Professor Tanya Byron talk about Manifesto for Change >>