June Lowery-Kingston’s Post

Join us on 13 June 2024 for first UK-APAC Tech Forum of the year at techUK. 🎉 The event will take place during London Tech Week as a partner event. Focused on Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and the ASEAN countries, the forum provides engagement opportunities with key stakeholders in government and business to drive new digital economy partnerships, address barriers to digital market access and expand commercial networks in the region. Matthew Borthwick will join a government-focused and business-focused panel, followed by networking. Topic highlights: - Panel: Opportunities in the Asia Pacific: Where are we seeing the biggest opportunities in the Asia Pacific? - Panel: From Scale-Ups to Incumbents: Advice on Cracking the Asia Pacific Market - Networking https://lnkd.in/gWtTMWJp #event #londontechweek #panel

How has the Internet Impacted Young People's Cultural Dimensions? The internet has revolutionised how young people interact, learn, and perceive the world. It's reshaping their cultural dimensions in profound ways. Key impacts include: 》Globalised Culture: The internet has created a global community, exposing young people to diverse cultures and ideas. 》Increased Individualism: Online platforms offer spaces for self-expression and identity development, fostering individualism. 》Blurring of Boundaries: The internet has blurred cultural lines, leading to hybrid cultures and greater acceptance of diversity. 》Digital Citizenship: Young people are navigating the digital world, developing new skills and understanding the responsibilities of online citizenship. 》Changing Values: The internet has influenced young people's values, shaping their views on social justice, environmentalism, and equality. Todd William Bagnall How has the internet impacted your cultural perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #digitalculture #youthculture #culturaldimensions #internet #globalisation #diversity #inclusion CERAN

What use is the internet to a rural African woman who only understands her local language? Very little. The challenge is not just access but also language and cultural relevance. Even with a smartphone loaded with apps in her language, if she cannot read or write and there are no voice prompts, the smartphone may not be used beyond basic phone calls. The issue is multifaceted and it is essential for tech leaders, innovators, and policymakers to reconsider what it means to build for Africa. With over 2,000 indigenous languages across the continent, digital solutions must go beyond simple access. True digital inclusion requires addressing language, literacy, and cultural context—not just to support these women but to unlock a vast, untapped market of opportunity.  The digital divide is more than just a gap in access and meaningful use of technology; it represents a profound loss of opportunity. For rural women, it means being excluded from a rapidly advancing world, limiting their ability to grow businesses and agricultural ventures, adapt to climate challenges, support their families, and envision a future beyond immediate survival. As we enter this new month, let us commit to closing this gap through advocacy, innovation, and action—ensuring that every rural woman has the opportunity to thrive and shape her own future. In a recent interview, I shared my perspective on the subject :https://lnkd.in/dARar586 Read it and let me know what you think! Welcome to December 2024!

Ricardo Garcia Bahamonde, Atos shared insights on "The EU Regulatory Frameworks for Digital Accessibility." Key highlights from his presentation were emphasised on: ▶️Technology should be usable by everyone, not just some. ▶️Accessibility barriers create exclusion, especially for people with disabilities and older adults. ▶️Similar to pollution from factories, inaccessible technology is a negative byproduct of the design and production process. ▶️A robust legal framework is crucial to ensure ICT products and services are accessible to all, protecting consumer rights. Europe has a complex legal framework for accessibility across different countries. "Increasing accessible accessibility into accessibility is a means to promote, and facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society in different areas. Whether it's education, employment, travel, consumer rights, etc. " #DigitalInclusionKE Communications Authority of Kenya

Today the European Commission published its focus for 2025 in respect of Creative Europe. It will have a budget of approximately €338 million to implement its actions. Creative Europe in 2025 will focus on green and digital transitions, on strengthening social and economic resilience In 2025, Creative Europe will continue supporting the creative and cultural sectors, including audiovisual. It will build on the achievements of the past four years and integrate further green, digital and social inclusion aspects. Creative Europe will build on its actions by taking into account developments in the cultural and creative industries, experience in implementation and feedback from dialogue with stakeholders. Support for the transition of these cultural and creative sectors towards an environmentally sustainable, inclusive and digital future is integrated throughout the three strands of the programme. More information on the link below Galway Culture Company ATU Galway City School of Design and Creative Arts Centre for Creative Technologies University of Galway Údarás na Gaeltachta Western Development Commission

A few months ago, my friend asked me if his team could use my app - Quick Revise as the submission idea for the Samsung Solve For Tomorrow Competiton. It's a competition that Samsung hosts every year to encourage and recognise the bright ideas residing within the minds of the youth of our country. I agreed and joined his team of four other students (we're all 12th graders) and the theme for the idea was "Community & Inclusion". Although the idea which we submitted was based on my apps - Quick Revise and Aurora AI (see the "Projects" tab in my LinkedIn profile for more information), together we collaborated and brainstormed on many more relevant and helpful features which we believe could elevate the existing app to another level. These new features which we decided are, of course, on paper for now. The idea which we submitted landed us in the TOP 100 TEAMS from all across India. We worked really hard to prepare for our pitch because it was supposed to be only 5 minutes long! I remember us working from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and then again from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. to make a wonderful presentation, rehearse our pitch and ensure that we were prepared for any and every question that the jury would ask us the next day. So we're currently in the top 100 teams from across India. In the Top 50 teams in the theme of "Community & Inclusion" In the Top 10 teams in the "West Zone" Out of the Top 10 teams in each zone, only 2 teams will advance to the next round which involved a National pitch to a "Grand Jury" at the Indian Institute Of Technology, Delhi. 🤞🏿 Have a look at our pitch video below 👇🏿 https://lnkd.in/dsNWjSmd

Together with our partners Riga TechGirls, Nordregio, and IWWOF - International Working Women of Finland Ry, we are conducting research across the Baltic and Nordic regions to better understand the activities and skills that encourage digital inclusion and expand career options in IT. 👩💻If you: Currently working in the IT industry OR have participated or completed an IT course/training to gain skills valuable in your career growth or to reskill to IT, OR have reskilled to IT, then please fill in this survey on digital skills and the IT industry: https://lnkd.in/dP6EqRZP  👉More about the research: https://lnkd.in/dwBQT4x3

I'd like to offer some tangible things you can do and questions to ask yourself to help ensure your event is truly inclusive that I wish I had included in my article. ♿ Consider the accessibility of the space. Are chairs without arms offered in all spaces for your event? Where are the accessible bathrooms? Are there ramps? Can the stage be accessed by someone in a wheelchair or with limited or reduced mobility? 🔈 Do all rooms have mics and speakers? If sign language interpreters are not an option (I recognise this has a price attached) consider having speakers use live captioning through Power Point or other tools. 🍸 Does your conference have a party that includes alcohol? If so, consider offering a signature mocktail and ensuring that both water and soft drinks are options. There are lots of people who do not drink for any number of reasons including health, religious, recovery, or personal choice. 🏳️🌈 Where in the world is your event being held? Do you know if this a safe place to travel for gender minorities and queer people? Consider local laws, states like Arkansa and Florida have laws that may put your speakers, attendees and sponsors at risk 🤰 Location again! Do you know if place your event is being held is safe for pregnant people? 📜 Do you have a Code of Conduct (CoC)? Does it include how it's enforced? Revisit your CoC on a regular basis and ensure you have a plan in place in the event it's violated Let's keep this list going, add anything I may have missed in the comments. And please remember to read Lena Pejgan Nyström and Emna Ayadi's blogs as well linked below.

Today, as we celebrate International Youth Day, we recognise the boundless energy, creativity, and courage that young people across the globe bring into our world. From bustling cities to quiet villages, from classrooms to the streets, the youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the changemakers of today. In every corner of the world, young people are standing up, speaking out, and making a difference. They are leading movements for justice, driving innovations in technology, creating art that inspires, and building communities grounded in compassion and understanding. Their voices echo with a passion for a better future, a future they are actively shaping with their hands and hearts. On this day, let's celebrate the youth who are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and driving progress. Let’s listen to their ideas, support their visions, and ensure they have the tools and opportunities to thrive. The future is theirs, and with their determination and resilience, we can be confident that it will be a brighter, more inclusive, and more hopeful world for all. Here’s to the global youth—today and every day, we celebrate your strength, your dreams, and your unwavering spirit. #InternationalYouthDay #YouthEmpowerment #FutureLeaders #GlobalYouth #Changemakers #Innovation #Inspiration #YouthVoices #DiversityAndInclusion #BuildingTheFuture

This May, we celebrate Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month! Let's shine a light on an important issue: the digital divide within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Despite being one of the fastest-growing and most diverse groups in the U.S., AANHPI communities face significant barriers to digital access. From limited broadband availability in the Pacific Islands to socio-economic hurdles in urban areas, many are left without the essential internet connectivity needed for education, employment, and healthcare. It's crucial to recognize these disparities and work towards inclusive digital policies that ensure everyone can participate fully in our digital society. Learn more about this pressing issue and how we can bridge the gap. https://lnkd.in/eWdJK6Y5 #AsianPacificAmericanHeritageMonth #DigitalDivide #AANHPI #Inclusion #BroadbandForAll