Living-in.EU Digital Assembly at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2024

LDA
Conference |
09 Oct 2024
Organiser:Go Li.EU
Location:Belgium

During the European Week of Regions and Cities 2024, the Living-in.EU movement will organise its second EU Digital Assembly in Brussels. The event will be on Wednesday 9 October 2024, from 14:30 to 16:00, in the Committee of the Regions (Jacques Delors building).  

What is the Living-in.EU Digital Assembly?

The Living-in.EU Digital Assembly is the political advisory body of the Living-in.EU movement. It is co-chaired by Mayor Lluïsa Moret Sabidó, from the City of Sant Boi de Llobregat, and CoR Member Mirja Vehkaperä, Chair of the City Board of Oulu. It meets once per year, and the annual event is the opportunity for all EU mayors, regional presidents, and other stakeholders to debate the political priorities of the movement and to provide strategic orientation in support of the twin green and digital transformation of EU cities and communities. 

Theme for the 2024 edition of the Living-in.EU Digital Assembly

The overall theme of the event will be centred on highlighting regions’ and cities’ remaining needs for digital transformation, and on providing key messages to the incoming Commission. The panel ‘Digital innovation ecosystem with a people-centred approach’ will be articulated around two topics:

  • Fostering technological innovation (“city and region as a platform”): Speakers will discuss ways to facilitate technological innovation development to boost local economies and to support European regions in the modernisation of their economies, in line with the ambition of the cohesion policy investment, by giving public authorities a more active role in the innovation ecosystem;

  • People-centred digital transformation: Panellists will debate how to ensure a secure, inclusive, and democratic digital transformation which protects digital rights and helps bridging the digital divide to ensure that no one is left behind, in line with the mission letter of Commissioner Ferreira and the need to support the regions and people most affected by the twin transition.

Agenda

14:30 – 14:40  

Welcome - Chair of the Board Mirja Vehkaperä, City of Oulu, Member of the CoR and Mayor Lluïsa Moret i Sabido, Sant Boi de Llobregat 

14:40 – 14:50 

Keynote speech - Guido Rink, Vice-Mayor of the municipality of Emmen, Member of the CoR 

14:50 – 15:35  

Panel discussion – "Digital innovation ecosystem with a people-centred approach," moderated by Andre Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities With the participation of: 

  • Chair of the Board Mirja Vehkaperä, City of Oulu, Member of the CoR 
  • Mayor Lluïsa Moret i Sabido, Sant Boi de Llobregat  
  • Arnis Gulbis, Director, Riga Digital Agency  
  • Sophie Valdenaire-Ratto, Déleguée à la transformation numérique, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region

15:35 – 15:40 

Conclusion - European Commission representative 

15:40 – 16:00  

Exchange with the room and ‘Join, Boost, Sustain’ Declatation’s signing ceremony  

 

Connecting People for the Twin Transition - Reception Networking

Following the Living-in.EU Digital Assembly, Living-in.EU is excited to host a special networking event titled "Connecting People for the Twin Transition." This event will take place on Wednesday, 9 October, from 17:00 to 19:00 at Scotland House, Rond-point Schuman, 6; 1000 Brussels.

The networking reception is open to participants of the Living-in.EU Digital Assembly as well as our wider community of stakeholders and representatives from European institutions. It will serve as a unique opportunity to discuss the intersection of digital and green transitions, and how these can be leveraged at European, regional, and local levels to foster sustainable development.


This reception is designed to:

  • Link the Digital & Green Transitions.
  • Facilitate discussions with diverse stakeholders on the opportunities and challenges of these twin transitions.
  • Showcase inspiring, practical stories of successful initiatives that integrate digital and environmental sustainability.

The event offers a platform to explore how digitalization can complement efforts toward a greener future and build connections that support impactful collaborations.
 

Agenda

17:00

Welcome of participant

17:20 

Introduction

Pirita Lindholm, Director of ERRIN

Faouzi Achbar, Deputy Mayor of thz City of Rotterdam, Eurocities' Shadow Commissioner on Digital Inclusion

17:35  

Keynote 

Markku Markkula, Chair of the Board of Helsinki-Uusima Regional Council and Vice-President of the European Committee of Regions 

17:45

Networking drink and access to the 'Scalable solutions marketplace'

19:00  

End of the event 


We look forward to connecting with you and working together to advance Europe’s Twin Transition!

Promoted by