MCIN

MCIN ran a conference in Manchester on October 16th along with Manchester Metropolitan University and CN4M, a community empowerment network, on Social Capital and Community Cohesion. Professor Robert Putnam of Harvard University, who is a world leader in social capital and social networking, spoke on the role of social capital and its policy impact. Over 160 people attended from different sectors including the Third Sector, Higher Education and the Statutory sector. The conference highlighted good local practice in social networking, including case studies on ICT and the homeless. Ed Cox, a commissioner on the Government’s Commission for Cohesion and Integration spoke about broader government policy in this area. Other speakers included Councillor Maryam Khan, Manchester City Council’s executive member for race and equality and Patrick Hanfling who spoke on his work on sense of place. Brian Kelly explained the research taking place on social capital within Manchester. A detailed action plan on how to take this agenda forward was developed as a result of the conference and a group of people will be taking this forward. To see Robert Putnams presentation click here 

Thanks for the link to the paper on the Social Capital and ICT board . Its very interesting reading. You might be interested in a conference MCIN is running in Manchester on the 16th October along with Manchester Metropolitan University, and CN4M a community empowerment network on social capital and community cohesion, which Robert Puttnam who is a world leader in this area is speaking at. You can find the details on the mymanchester web site. We have about 160 people coming from different sectors and I will be speaking on ICT and Social Capital. We are planning to Web Cast it so if you want to see it please contact Sophie and she can link you up with the web cast. sophiefosker@googlemail.com <sophiefosker@googlemail.com> There will also be a blog after the event with the video and the final report on.

MCIN has been successful in its tender to develop SocialMedia and a community reporter’s programme in Charlestown and Lower Kersal. The tender was lead by MCIN but was in partnership with the University of Salford and Salford College. The activity will take place at the new Salford Innovation Forum and will involve the establishment of a Salford Media Centre in this building. Gary Copitch the Director of MCIN said, ” This is a fantastic project that will enable local residents to have there say using social media. The partnership with the University and the College allows us to provide key skills and training into this area and a community partnership with the BBC will further develop content and skills for this community.” The new Social Media Centre will also work with the Manchester Digital Development Agency to support content for One Manchester.