The positive impact of the Internet on communities and individuals will be the focus of a free public seminar from 9.30am-1.30pm on 28 November entitled eNeighbourhoods - Putting Communities onto the World Wide Web. Organised by NUI Galway's Digital Enterprise Research Institute, the event will be held at the IDA Business Park, Lower Dangan, and will look at how people can now use the Internet to view and talk to each other across continents at a fraction of the cost of a telephone call, create their own online communities and access affordable technologies.

According to Brendan Smith, Community/Education Outreach Officer, DERI, "In the nineteen nineties, it was the mobile telephone that spawned a massive leap in connecting people. Today the Internet gives individuals with limited physical/geographical mobility a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded people. It can reconnect families and friends, with people using webcams and Internet phones to see and hear their loved ones in real time. Also, the Internet can also give a forum and even an identity to communities, parishes – community groups of every kind".

Topics covered by the seminar, which will be opened by Lord Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Niall O Brolcháin, will include:

• Putting your Parish & Community onto an Online Encyclopaedia
• Online Community Newsletters
• Internet Technologies aimed at Increasing Citizens' Involvement - in the decision making process of local and national government
• Green Mapping of Galway City
• Setting up & Maintaining a Free Easy-to-manage Website for Community Groups
• Writing & Publishing a Novel Online

  Based out of NUI Galway, DERI is one of the world's leading research establishments involved in developing the next generation of the World Wide Web known as the 'Semantic Web'. Through its outreach programmes, it seeks to increase awareness of the practical benefits that the World Wide Web can offer to communities. Internet courses for a myriad of groupings include active retirement associations, business organisations, schools, parents, university students, residents and disability groups have been provided over the years. This free seminar will bring experts together to demonstrate what is on offer to the ordinary members of society. For bookings please contact Brendan Smith, DERI, NUI Galway on 087 2935106 or email Brendan.smith@deri.org

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