The conference, which is being hosted by the Cable & Wireless Jamaica Foundation in partnership with the children's Internet charity, Childnet International and the British Council, is intended to provide a platform for policy makers, educators and industry representatives to share lessons learnt around the world to ensure that young people use the Internet positively and safely; and there is no charge for participation.

Under the theme Children and the Internet: Releasing Potential, Minimising Risk, the conference will highlight some of the creative and inspiring ways in which children and young people are using the Internet and will explore just how powerful the internet can be as a tool to enable young people to learn, communicate and realise their full potential.

It will also highlight the importance of staying safe online, explore how the risks of new technology can be minimised, and demonstrate how children and young people can be protected from inappropriate content and contact.

An extended conference workshop session will also provide an opportunity for teachers and educators to receive training on how to deliver Childnet International's award-winning school based Internet safety programme, Kidsmart, and explore how the programme can be replicated in schools across the country.

Participants at the conference will include The Hon Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Education, Youth & Culture; Ms Jacqueline Holding, President of Cable & Wireless Jamaica; Stephen Carrick Davies, Chief Executive of Childnet International, and Richard Millwood, Director of learning technology research centre, ULTRALAB, along with local representatives from the telecommunications industry, broadcasting and child welfare sectors, as well as the University of the West Indies

The conference is being run in parallel with the Cable & Wireless Childnet Academy, which will take place in Montego Bay between March 27-31.  The initiative brings together the winners of an international web development competition for young people (aged 18 and under) and showcases the creativity of young people who are using the web to bring positive benefit to young people around the world.

For more information about the conference or for details about how to attend, see www.childnetacademy.org/event.