In Scotland, we use technology every second of every day. We use bank cards to pay for things, use mobiles to send each other messages, use MSN and BEBO to keep in touch with mates and we even store thousands of our best songs on an MP3 player that fits right into our pocket! But what’s the next step for technology?
That was one of the questions on many of our lips when we went to the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (MGLF) at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The who’s who of the UK, Europe and the rest of the world were there. Not forgetting us, 11 Youngsters from every corner of Scotland and another 3 from across Europe. We were invited to give our opinions on what we thought of the conference and to ask Bill Gates and Gordon Brown some questions, as well as making up a set of recommendations for him to consider (see the Young Scot web portal).
Right, to be honest with you, I wasn’t there to meet Jack McConnell, Gordon Brown or even Bill Gates; I was more concerned about how technology can be used to benefit us in the future and learn about how other young people are using technology already. The 14 of us (youngsters) had lengthy talks on how technology can be used to involve young people in politics and let me tell you things have already come a long way since Big Bill Gates first plugged in a computer and in Scotland there's already lots that we can take part in.
For example, anyone can petition the Scottish Parliament and if it’s within their powers, they will consider to debate on it – some petitions have already changed Scot’s Law, nice one! What about you? Well, this website lets you share your views on almost anything that affects you and that Glasgow Young Scot Card you have in your pocket; you will be able to use it when you take part in the most advanced voting system in the world, when the Youth Parliament Elections come up later in the year.
Mr Gates gave us an insight as to what to expect in the future, promising advanced security, TV via your broadband and soon there will be no need for phone numbers.
So what happens now? Well, technology will no doubt keep advancing, Billy will keep making his billions and the world will keep spinning, because as always, we will just need to sit back and see what happens, but if you have any bright ideas on where technology will go, let us know!
You can check out what other young folk thought of the event by visiting the Young Scot portal
, and look out for MGLF!
- Jamie O'Neill
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