Social entrepreneurs and Ashoka fellows Mike Feerick of Alison and Founder of CoderDojo, James Whelton, will speak on Thursday next at 4pm at the Library at a forum entitled ‘Change X: Advancing Education and the Role of Technology’.

“The use of new technology to enable people is an inexhaustibly exciting topic” said Alison CEO Mike Feerick. “It is important that the social implications and possibilities of technology are explored at seminal events like the Web Summit”.

Alison, founded by Feerick in 2007, has more than four million learners around the world, and is widely acknowledged as the first-ever MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) provider. Its aim is to overcome barriers to education, by providing free, online learning that can be accessed by anyone over the internet.

Founded in 2011, CoderDojo is an international network of volunteer-led, independent, community based programming clubs for young people. Young people between 7 and 17 learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, and explore technology. CoderDojo now has over 480 verified Dojos in 48 countries.