Globalisation, the information economy, a digital future - these are the buzzwords of our age.
Now that the world has caught up with the web, there's broad acceptance that technology will play an increasingly crucial role in our social, economic and civil lives. That's great, but what does it all mean and what will be required to make it work?
IF SCOTLAND is to harvest the benefits of the digital age, it needs a clear understanding of the resources, skills and infrastructure this will require in both the short and long-term futures. At present our development is ad-hoc, depending largely on the private sector to provide direction, and while this approach has served us fairly well so far, it will not suffice forever.
The country needs a digital blueprint - a clear, considered and far-reaching national strategy designed to deliver the tools that a 21st Century Scotland will require if it is to prosper and thrive.
To make it happen, however, somebody needs to take the first step.
The Sunday Herald has launched a campaign dedicated to seeing such a strategy become a reality. In collaboration with senior industry figures, we plan to hold a series of debates and roundtable events designed to harvest the experience and talents of experts throughout the country, drawing upon their considerable knowledge in an effort to get the ball rolling.
Ambitious? Yes, but not impossible. It will take much time and effort, but if sucessful this planned series of events could lead to the creation of a draft national strategy capable of ensuring Scotland's place in an uncertain future.
Launch Event:
Click here to watch video highlights of the inaugural debate
When: Wednesday, December 12 9am-11am
Where: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Panel:
Iain S Bruce (Technology Editor, Sunday Herald)
Raymond O'Hare (Regional Director, Microsoft Scotland)
Gordon Thomson (Director of Scotland & Ireland, Cisco Systems)
Steve Leach (Founder & CEO of Bigmouthmedia)
Polly Purvis (Executive Director, ScotlandIS)
Brendan Dick (Director, BT Scotland)
Steven Thurlow (Technical Director, Graham Technology
Neil MacCallum (Head of Policy and Strategy, Scottish Chambers of Commerce)
The future has already happened, and if Scotland is to prosper in the 21st Century we need a national technology strategy. The Sunday Herald and Herald are holding a series of debates to develop a digital blueprint for Scotland.
Our first event revealed a popular consensus that any such strategy should focus on 3 key areas: Innovation, Infrastructure and Education. In the second event, a panel of technology experts presented their thoughts on the subject of Innovation ...
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