About

Digital Tools for Information and Democracy
November 5-7, 2009 Charlottesville, Virginia

We are living in an information renaissance, but the full potential of this era remains constrained by limitations for many citizens in access, capacity to engage, and participation itself. The fundamental democratic principles of openness, inclusion, participation, empowerment, and the pursuit of the truth wherever it leads remain constant from the time of Mr. Jefferson. Our challenge is to bend and bind digital tools to yield the power of new information and these eternal democratic principles for all our citizens. The stakes could not be higher. Failure to act will lock in the emerging digital divide for generations to come.

The conference gathered leaders from digital archives, education, and journalism to meet in a high level but informal setting with colleagues. We targeted these three professions precisely because, while each is experiencing extraordinary innovation in digital tools, the potential for powerful interactive synergies between the three remains underexplored.

The meeting was held in newly opened Monticello visitor center.