The project team will be taking the AVANTI roadshow, a hi-tech double decker bus kitted out with personal computers and the latest information technology, to Lewisham Shopping Centre, Lewisham Town Centre on Monday July 29 from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, allowing local residents the opportunity to use and test this exciting new way to deliver services. Using an Avatar or intelligent personal assistant that guides people through online transactions and services, AVANTI (Added Value Access to New Technologies and services on the Internet) aims to overcome the barriers that make up the digital divide and remove obstacles that prevent some people using information technology. By using the new technology residents will ultimately be able to access a wide range of local information and services using public access points with either a personal computer or a touch-screen kiosk.
Online services will be personalised and initially will include areas such as advice and information on Council tax and Housing benefits, and enhancing local democracy through opinion polls and on-line consultation exercises.
AVANTI, a two-year project running from 2001 to 2003, is part-funded by the European Community, with the overall aim of developing new e-government technologies to disseminate across Europe.
The project is being co-ordinated by the London Borough of Lewisham with three further European cities participating in the initiative - Stockholm in Sweden, Edinburgh in Scotland and Ventspils in Latvia.
The Mayor said: "I am delighted that Lewisham is playing a key part in the avanti project. We face challenges in enabling all residents to engage and benefit from the opportunities provided by new technology. This project will not only benefit residents but also break down barriers that new technology can create if it is not readily accessible.
"I look forward to hearing back from people who come along and try the technology, we want to know how residents feel about this service initiative."
Quelle: surf London
