The Ministry of Government Services in Ontario is organizing three online discussions exploring some of the key themes from our research on digital divide and access. These online events, which we are calling ePanels, take place: November 25: Creating a More Connected Community with Broadband: An Intelligent Communities ePanel 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST. ICF co-founder Louis Zacharilla will lead a panel of experts from Cleveland (Lev Gonick), Glasgow (Gordon Kennedy), Sunderland (Thomas Hurst) and Tianjin (William Lin) to discuss how their communities are using broadband to help citizens and organizations increase their economic competitiveness, expand their knowledge and improve living standards. http://digitalontario.na3.acrobat.com/intelligentcommunities/ <http://digitalontario.na3.acrobat.com/intelligentcommunities/> December 1: Retooling for the 21st Century: Digital Skills and Literacy ePanel 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. EST. York University professor Barbara Crow will lead a panel of academics and researchers (Leslie Regan Shade, Jennifer Jenson and Greg Elmer) who will explore how new broadband uses and applications, namely web 2.0 and 3.0, require new skills and literacy. http://digitalontario.na3.acrobat.com/digitalskills/ <http://digitalontario.na3.acrobat.com/digitalskills/> December 3: Speed Matters in Ontario: Digital Infrastructure Capacity ePanel 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. EST. Chair of Toronto Waterfront "iWaterfront Advisory Board" Bill Hutchison will lead a panel (Matt Wenger, Paul Hearty and Paul Salvini) who will discuss the drivers and benefits for faster broadband, and next generation technologies such as fibre optics. http://digitalontario.na3.acrobat.com/digitalinfrastructure/ <http://digitalontario.na3.acrobat.com/digitalinfrastructure/> You must pre-register for these ePanels at digitalontario@ontario.ca Anne Bermonte Senior Project and Policy Advisor OCCIO I&IT Strategy, Policy and Planning Branch Ministry of Government Services