EUCIDIN 2019: "How Cities can Increase the Availability of Mobile Networks and Power Infrastructure" ROMANIA, BUCHAREST, 23rd - 25th January 2019 City news
The challenges of the interactive society, in the context of a major shift in global social dynamics, must be met with an open mind, making full use of the innovative resources of the digital world. This is one of the conclusions drawn at the "How Cities can Increase the Availability of Mobile Networks and Power Infrastructure" conference in Bucharest, which was attended by civil society activists, by government officials and stakeholders, on January 24th.
The opening remarks were delivered by Mrs Ioana Gligor Bekesi, president of Building Dreams Association, followed by Ms. Maria-Manuela Catrina, Secretary of State with the Ministry of Communication and Informational Society. The latter talked about smart cities, and about the four pillars required in order to achieve digital transformation - people, processes, strategies, and platforms.
“Smart cities are not about technology. Technology is a facilitator. It’s about people, it’s about leaders, it’s about citizens, and it cannot happen without smart leadership”, explained the Secretary of State.
Next up, Mr. Liviu Stanciu, Communication Manager of the Alba Iulia Smart City Project, offered a lecture on a very trendy topic in Romania: "Alba Iulia Smart City: Inclusive Connectivity and Technology for the Community”. Mr. Stanciu explained in great detail the steps taken by Alba Iulia in becoming not only the first Romanian smart city, but also a friendly environment for the business community, especially for start-ups.
“The purpose of a smart city, ergo the goal for our entire pilot project, is to increase economic efficiency, to reduce costs, and to increase the quality of life. We want to create a more livable town”, he said during the conference.
The floor was then taken by Ms. Carmen Elisa Goras, President of Red Cross Society Romania, District 4, Bucharest. Her topic for the conference was "The Use of Technology in Offering Assistance to Refugees – Best Practices of the Red Cross National Societies". During her lecture, she offered insight on The Walkie Talkie Information Service and on the Virtual Volunteer app. Both gadgets are used by the Red Cross in countries with vast numbers of refugees, like Greece, Norway, Cyprus and so on.
Professor Victor Nicolăescu, PhD, a reputed researcher in Behavioural Economics, Business Administration and Financial Economics, underlined the importance of education in the process of understanding the migration phenomenon, in his lecture “Digital Learning for Migrants and Refugees – Fast Pass to Social Inclusion”.
“Education is a right. Education protects, education empowers, and, most importantly education transforms lives”, explained Victor Nicolăescu.
The Conference in Bucharest was organized by Building Dreams Association, within the framework of the project “EU City Digital Strategies for Immigrants’ Integration (EUCIDIN)”. The project was submitted within the program Europe for Citizens, which features two main components: “Democratic engagement & civic participation - getting citizens involved”, and “Networks of towns”, both aiming to encourage the cooperation with other townships and with Civil Society Organizations (e.g. NGOs), on a long‑term basis of experience and knowledge sharing.
The conference "How Cities can Increase the Availability of Mobile Networks and Power Infrastructure" was held at Capșa Hotel, in the heart of Bucharest.
More information about the project from ioanagligorbekesi@yahoo.com or claudia.craiu@gmail.com
Project is financed by European Union programme “Europe for Citizens”. Term of implementation: 10.07.2017.- 31.05.2019.
