Just come across this fascinating news story from one of my favourite European countries, Finland. As well as gaining the legal right to have at least 1Mb access by next year it has now been agreed that everyone will have the right to a 100Mb connection by the end of 2015. Perhaps even the reindeer will all be on-line by the time the UK gets round to this. Here is the news story:

“Starting next July, every person in Finland will have the right to a one-megabit broadband connection, says the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Finland is the world’s first country to create laws guaranteeing broadband access. The government had already decided to make a 100 Mb broadband connection a legal right by the end of 2015. On Wednesday, the Ministry announced the new goal as an intermediary step. Starting next July, every person in Finland will have the right to a one-megabit broadband connection, says the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Finland is the world’s first country to create laws guaranteeing broadband access. The government had already decided to make a 100 Mb broadband connection a legal right by the end of 2015. On Wednesday, the Ministry announced the new goal as an intermediary step. Some variation will be allowed, if connectivity can be arranged through mobile phone networks.” The weblink is here. ]]> http://www.manchesterdda.com/2009/11/10/finland-agrees-legal-right-to-100mb-broadband-for-all-by-2015/feed/ 0 http://www.manchesterdda.com/2009/11/10/finland-agrees-legal-right-to-100mb-broadband-for-all-by-2015/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ManchesterDigitalDevelopmentAgency/~3/tQ96zjxSNWw/ http://www.manchesterdda.com/2009/11/02/free-event-18-november-ignite-your-creative-potential/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:07:58 +0000 Alan Holding http://www.manchesterdda.com/?p=825 Thinking of a career in the creative sector? Looking for opportunities to develop your creative skills? Want more information about creative industries? Then go along to this FREE event at Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester.

Where and when

18 November 2009, from 10am to 3pm. Whitworth Art Gallery, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER. Google Map.

The event is taking place at The Whitworth Art Gallery, where you can explore some of the UK’s finest collections of art and design. Follow the Whitworth on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WhitworthArt.

What will be at the event?

• Exhibition Stands and Activities: Visit the South Gallery for digital, arts and business advice and information.
• Guest Speakers: Hear from industry professionals about their experiences and chosen career paths.
• Animation Workshops: Get practical experience in the visual arts. Workshop places are limited, so please book via the contact details below.

How to register

To register for the event, request  information  or to book workshop places contact Elayne Holt or Emma McCarten, telephone 0161 277 1880 or email: e.holt@manchester.gov.uk or e.mccarten@manchester.gov.uk.

You can also call, text or leave a mobile message with Frank Connell, mobile: 07595 278 201, email: f.Connell@manchester.gov.uk.

You can also book online at creativecareerseventmcc.eventbrite.com.

That’s where idiscover comes in – an exciting new programme to help prepare Manchester’s young people for the future.

How does the idiscover project work?

Pupils from selected schools (Key Stage 3) are given vouchers worth £200 each term for them to spend on amazing learning experiences of their choice. The young people themselves will choose which learning experiences to spend their money on, with activities covering a host of themes – music, sport, science, art, technology, design, architecture, business, charity and loads more. Pupils will emerge from the programme better prepared for the future – with energy and resilience and having developed creative and entrepreneurial talents.

But we need your help to make this happen.

We can’t do this for Manchester’s young people without your help. We are looking for Greater Manchester organisations (or individuals) to design and provide these exciting, but relevant, learning opportunities. It is a chance for you to support the next generation, and your possible future employees, to develop the characteristics and skills the city-region needs. The programme is contributing to the Greater Manchester Challenge ambition of improving educational outcomes for young people across the city-region. It will be immensely rewarding for those who take part – now and in the future. But we’re not asking you do to this for free – the voucher monies given to young people fund the design and delivery of the learning experiences.
As someone who cares about the prosperity of the Manchester city-region and it’s development as an innovative economy, we hope you will join Manchester: Knowledge Capital and NESTA at the launch event:

Thursday 19 November
6.00pm – 8pm
Urbis
Cathedral Gardens
Manchester
M4 3BG
For more information on the idiscover programme see: www.nesta.org.uk

Do you work for Manchester City Council and use Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other web tools to support your services? Do you want to learn more about them from colleagues who have experience using them?

If so, then come along to the free Social Media Friday event that’s taking place at MDDA on Friday 13 November, from 12.30pm to 2pm.

What will I learn?

Find out useful information like how to use Twitter to support events, the real work involved in moderating comments on a blog, how Facebook can help promote your projects, the costs involved in using this stuff, or bring along your own questions.

There’ll be free tea, coffee and nibbles and time to meet new people, share your experiences and ask questions.

Anyone who works for Manchester City Council is welcome to come along. Please ensure that you check with your line manager that you are able to attend.

This is the first Social Media Friday, and we’ll be looking to make it a regular thing.

How will the event work?

Plan to arrive at MDDA’s offices from 12.30pm. We’ll be starting from 12.45pm with an informal mix of short demonstrations and a chance for you to find out more and ask questions. We’ll aim to finish around 1.45pm. Here are directions to MDDA’s offices.

Where do I sign up?

You don’t need to pre-register, but it will help if you do. If you are interested in attending or want to know more, please contact Alan Holding, phone: 0161 241 8211, email: Email Alan Holding.

Please provide your name, your section / department, your email and maybe some questions you’d like answered.

The small print

This event is supported by the Working Neighbourhoods Fund, and is being run as part of the Apollon project, which is working to promote the benefits and uses of social media to local authorities. Apollon is part of the European Union’s ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP). For more information go to the programme website at http://bit.ly/ictpsp.

The Blog Awards, which MDDA has supported since its inception, remains a uniquely Mancunian event, with the city’s creative community never slow in putting their opinions down on a diverse range of blogs, that ranged from the personal to the provocative. As Kate Feld, the organiser and instigator of the event, made clear in her introduction, the quality of the submissions this year had been so great that each category shortlist had been extended from four to five blogs.

Dave Carter, head of MDDA, is one of the judges, and in the office, we always enjoy having a look through the shortlisted entries here in the office. With prizes for best new blog, best neighbourhood blog, best personal blog, best arts and culture blog and best writing on a blog there’s a diverse range of entries. Both the winners and the shortlisted writers always seem to be genuinely pleased at the recognition – after all, unlike many other genres, blog writing is a truly democratic one, open to all.

Blog of the year was an unusual one however, as the writer of Lost In Manchester preferred to remain anonymous. A celebration of the “weird, wonderful and just plain ordinary” that most of us don’t notice when walking around our city, it’s a great place to start exploring the shortlist. In the early days of blogging, the anonymous blog was quite common, as writers chose a pseudonym rather than let everyone know their name. It was nice to see that some of the best blogging still prefers to keep anonymous.

This year also saw the return of a previous blog award winner, Jenn Ashworth, whose first novel, a domestic psychodrama set in a drab suburb in Fleetwood, “A Kind of Intimacy” has been one of the year’s best novels. We were treated to an extract of her second novel, “Cold Light,” a genuine exclusive, as it’s the first time she’s read it in public. Collective shivers ran down the spine as a very ordinary civic scene, this time set in Morecambe, turned grisly.

Amongst the various digital communities of Manchester, the writers, commentators, and photographers who write regular blogs in the city remain a key part of the creative economy – and so it was great to see Creative Tourist, the recently launched website for all that’s cultural in Manchester, sponsor the best arts and culture blog award, won by arts blogger, Ella Wredenfors, for her “Run Paint Run Run” blog. Her prize is a commission to write a piece for the Creative Tourist website.

As the number of new blogs entered for the awards this year shows, there remains a large part of the “blogosphere” that speaks with a Mancunian accent.

View the photos captured on the night

Our Life, a campaigning not-for-profit organization, is looking for expressions of interest from web developers for the development of their website.

The website development brief document is available for download

The deadline for responses should be submitted no later than 5pm on Thursday 22 October 2009. Submissions should preferably be emailed in PDF format.

Key requirements from the brief

• To create a visually attractive and easy to use website which doubles as an online campaigning tool to nurture active supporters, drive debate, but also inform and promote Our Life’s views and policies on key issues;
• To implement a browser-based content management system (CMS) that will enable Our Life staff to administer content on the site without requiring extensive knowledge of HTML, CSS or other web technologies;
• The CMS must allow targeted / segmented outbound email to enable Our Life to regularly communicate with its members and other key stakeholders;
• Implementation of a membership database and online payments system so that registered visitors to the site can gain access to content via a ‘members only’ area;
• Enable Our Life staff to administer the membership database via a browser-based interface and allow member organisations to edit contact details and communication preferences;
• Site should have a text size adjuster function and follow accessibility guidelines;
• Search engine optimisation work, both in the CMS and as part of staff training;
• Training and assistance on how keywords work and how to edit photos so they look good online;
• Assistance where appropriate in developing a content plan for the website.

It should be noted that Our Life does not envisage that the site will be a ‘dumping ground’ for all the information it provides. Only key information will be provided through the website, but that information must be presented clearly and play to the strengths of online and offline campaigns.

Further information

For an informal discussion about this work and to find out more about Our Life’s plans for their website, please contact Andy Walker, Head of Corporate Affairs, Our Life, by phone on 0161 237 2031 or by email at andy.walker@ourlife.org.uk

The performance took place both at the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall (at the University of Manchester) and Benedetto Marcello Music Conservatory in Venice. The audience was not only in these venues, but also at the 2009 World Forum on the Environment in Venice’s Palazzo Ducalo, and watching via the internet.

A unique collaboration by these two innovative music groups, the performance was facilitated by MDDA, who worked closely with the Camerata and Ex Novo to ensure that the 45 minute programme came together via the internet.

Beginning with a specially written “Green Piece” by Michele dall’Ongaro, the performance showed how musicians, composers and organisations can collaborate successfully without being face-to-face.

We were pleased to be featured on the BBC’s Digital Planet podcast, where you can hear details of the rehearsal for the performnce. Inevitably, there were some technical obstacles to be overcome, particularly with the slight delay in receiving sound and visuals at either end. But the musicians and in particular the conductor, Dane Lam, dealt with these as they would any musical issues, in readiness for the following day’s live performance.

An audience of ninety in Manchester were joined by an equal number watching and listening over the internet. The Camerata and Ex Novo collaborated on two pieces; the Dall’Ongaro premiere, and Charles Ive’s beautifully poignant “The Unanswered Question”, where the Venetian-based trumpet of Fabrizio Nasetti, asks questions of the string section, playing in Manchester. The programme also saw Oliver Knussen’s “Processionals” played live in Manchester, and broadcast to Venice, and a world premiere of Luca Mosca’s “Cinque Piccoli Scherzi” played in Venice and broadcast to the audience watching in Manchester.

MDDA were glad to be involved in such an innovative collaboration  providing an opportunity for cross-Europe collaboration using existing internet connections and readily available conferencing software. The event showcased how culture can benefit from this kind of digital hook-up, and how Manchester’s digital strategy, with its plans for developing fast broadband, can only lead to us facilitating bigger and better digital innovations in the city in the future.

The hectic rehearsals were covered by the BBC Digital Planet programme, listen to the podcast here.

To view photos from the event, visit the MDDA Flickr page.

A highlights video of the event will be available soon so please visit us again for updates.

A live synchronised performance by Manchester Camerata and the Venetian ensemble Ex Novo will be relayed to the Venice World Forum on Climate Change via the Internet, using the latest groundbreaking technology. Together they will perform Green Piece, a world première by Michele Dall’Ongaro, specially commissioned for the occasion. The performance takes place on Friday 2 October, as part of a free lunchtime concert featuring music by Charles Ives and Oliver Knussen, during the connection between the orchestras will be kept open, with a trumpeter in Venice providing the trumpet solo for Ives’ ‘Unanswered Question’.

Manchester Camerata will perform their contribution live at Manchester University at 12.45pm GMT, linking in over the internet with Ex Novo, who will be playing simultaneously in the Concert Hall at the Venice Conservatoire, at 1.45pm local time. The resulting performance will be broadcast live via a high-speed internet connection to the delegates at the Venice World Forum on Climate Change, based in the Doge’s Palace in St Mark’s Square.

This is the first time that the two orchestras have worked together at all, let alone in this innovative way. The combined performance, simultaneously working across a time delay, has been made possible thanks to technological help from Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA) working with Manchester University and Feedback Italia.

The Venice World Forum on Climate Change is an international event held over two days, which brings together leading experts on the environment, Nobel Laureates and ministers.

One of the overall objectives of this year’s event, hosted by the International Academy of Environmental Sciences (IAES), is to establish a European Environmental Criminal Court and an International Environmental Criminal Court. This would enable the court to take environmental polluters to task and make disasters such as Bhopal easier to respond to.

Manus Carey, Head of Artistic Planning at Manchester Camerata, said: “We are a 21st century orchestra embracing the issues of our time and raising awareness of environmental concerns through the power of music. We are incredibly proud to be taking part in this groundbreaking event and we hope to help raise the profile of the work of the International Academy of Environmental Sciences here in the UK. Manchester Camerata has an international outlook in-keeping with the city’s philosophy. We are eager to make an impression in Europe; this way we can do it without carbon emissions or incurring air-miles.”

We are grateful to our project partners: Creative Concern, Manchester Digital Development Agency and the University of Manchester.

Time & Date: 12:45pm, Friday 2nd October 2009 [Doors 12:15]

Venue: Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Manchester University

Tickets: Free on a first come/first served bais. Please email rshaw@manchestercamerata.com, stating how many you require.
IF YOU CANNOT ATTENDED THIS EVENT IN PERSON YOU WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH A LIVE STREAM [FROM MANCHESTER] AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:

http://www.manchestercamerata.co.uk/interact

You’ll also get to hear the experiences of business owners who took the leap and are selling online profitably. Plus it is an excellent forum to meet and network with other local businesses.

How to Book

To book please email: Frank Connell at f.connell@manchester.gov.uk or telephone 07595 278 201.

The events are provided by Manchester City Council, with preference given to businesses having a registered address with a Manchester postcode. There are 30 places per workshop, limited to 2 per company and booked on a first come first served basis.

Autumn Series:  Ida Kinsey Centre (for Manchester businesses)

117 Guide Post Road, Grove Village, Ardwick, M13 9HP (view map).

Starting:  Thursday 22nd October 2009, for 4 weeks (5:30pm to 7:45pm)

1. What makes a good website
   22nd October 2009
2. Which payment system is right for your business and your clients
   29th October 2009
3. Marketing and Social Networks
   5th November 2009
4. Search Engine Optimisation & Advertising
   12th November 2009

You’ll also get to hear the experiences of business owners who took the leap and are selling online profitably. Plus it is an excellent forum to meet and network with other local businesses.

How to Book

To book please email:  Lyn Hadfield or Val Swinbourne at businessinfo@manchester.gov.uk or telephone 0161 234 1995.

The events are provided by Manchester City Council, with preference given to businesses having a registered address with a Manchester postcode. There are 30 places per workshop, limited to 2 per company and booked on a first come first served basis.

Autumn Series:  Central Library

Starting:  Wednesday 28th October 2009, for 4 weeks (5:30pm to 7:45pm)

1. What makes a good website
   28th October 2009
2. Choosing the right payment system for your business and your clients
   4th November 2009
3. Attracting customers to your site – Part 1: Marketing and Social Networks
   11th November 2009
4. Attracting customers to your site – Part 2: Search Engine Optimisation & Advertising
   18th November 2009