Shortlist success for Jersey’s digital policy

Sunday 30 April 2017

Jersey’s 'Digital Policy Framework' was under the spotlight as a finalist at the first global conference specialising in 'Smart Islands' held in Majorca last week.

The Island's Digital Policy Framework was a runner-up, along with Sicily, whilst La Palma scooped the 'Smart Islands' top prize at the Smart Island World Congress Awards.

La Palma's Smart Island project scooped major award @SmartIslandCon yesterday; the Scilly Isles and Jersey runners up pic.twitter.com/nhvrwvFtF7

— Simon Crowcroft (@SimonCrowcroft) April 21, 2017

The event was the first of its kind to gather island leaders and industry experts together to learn about innovative solutions to the issues faced by islands across the globe and Jersey was represented by by Deputy Scott Wickenden and Constable Simon Crowcroft. 

Mr Crowcroft, spoke at the conference on how technology and innovation are ‘disrupting’ our traditional activities.

.@SimonCrowcroft opens up our session '#Technology and #innovation: disruptions in our traditional activities' #smartisland pic.twitter.com/2h4irhwa62

— SmartIsland (@SmartIslandCon) April 21, 2017

He said: “The way Jersey markets itself to tourists and the way we all research and book our holidays have changed beyond recognition because of technology. I will also be making specific references to Jersey’s agriculture industry, our infrastructure projects, especially the new police station, and how St Helier is striving to provide an excellent environment in which digital and other economic sectors can thrive.”

Assistant Minister, Deputy Scott Wickenden, also attended the congress on behalf of Jersey’s government.

@SimonCrowcroft giving a speech about Jersey at the @smartislandscon #smartislands pic.twitter.com/1pYMlVNUJK

— Scott Wickenden (@Scott_Wickenden) April 21, 2017

Deputy Wickenden has political responsibility for the e-government programme and Digital Jersey and said: “All sectors of our economy are facing the same pattern of disruption due to the emergence of big data, cloud computing, and other new technologies. It’s important that we maintain our relevance and keep up to date in this fast changing world.”