CONFERENCE ON ELECTRONIC VILLAGE
By Adnews Staff
The Couchiching Institute of Public Affairs will host its annual conference from Aug. 8 to Aug. 11 in Orillia, Ont. Entitled Citizens of the Electronic Village: Smartening Up or Dumbing Down?, the conference will explore the impact of the new information and communications technologies on social and democratic institutions. The event will also address innovations such as the Internet, websites and the 500-channel universe. In addition, the seminars will debate the positive and negative effects of these changes. This year's keynote speaker is Public Broadcasting Service president Ervin Duggan. Closing keynote speaker will be Canadian film maker Patrick Watson. The Couchiching Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 1932. Its goal is to promote increased awareness and understanding of public issues.