Presentation of the Intelligent Community Movement in Spain

On April 18, 2018 in the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Barcelona (UB) was presented in Spain the Think Tank Intelligent Community Forum in an event organized by Argelich Networks with the support of different national and international professional entities such as Associació Catalana d’Enginyers de Telecomunicació (telecos.cat) , la Society of Communications Consultants International y Enginyers industrials de Catalunya ( eic.cat ).

The Intelligent Community Forum is a global network of cities and regions with a think tank at its center. Its mission is to help communities use information and communications technology (ICT) to create inclusive prosperity, tackle social and governance challenges and enrich their quality of life.

ICF has three research centers: the Global Institute for the Study of the Intelligent Community in Dublin, Ohio (USA), Taiwan Intelligent Community Institute en Chung Hua University, in Hsinchu City (Taiwan) and The Mississippi State University Extension Service Intelligent Community Institute (MSUES-ICI) in Starkville, Misisipi (USA)

ICF awards each year, since its foundation more than 20 years ago, the prize for the Intelligent community of the year. In 2017 Melbourne got the award and in 2016 it was Montreal.

The event was conducted by UB’s Economics professor Jordi Melé Carné.

It was projected the video of ICF Canada that explains the difference between a Smart city and an Intelligent Community, a concept much more focused on the person than on the efficiency in the management of cities and towns.

Agustin Argelich, principal consultant of Argelich Networks, representative in Spain of ICF and member of the international jury that awards the prizes, presented the Think Tank listing and commenting on the indicators of an intelligent community, whether urban or rural:

Broadband
Knowledge Workforce
Innovation
Digital equality
Sustainability
Advocacy & Marketing.

Barcelona Intelligent Community Forum presentation from Argelich Networks

John Jung, co-founder of ICF and president of ICF Canada , sent a video message to attendees encouraging the Spanish cities and regions to join the Forum and highlighted resilience as a primary characteristic of Intelligent communities.

Agustín, who was technology director of the IX Barcelona’92 Paralympic Games, claimed, on his 25th anniversary, the success of the games of 1992. He emphasized the factors that, in his opinion, sustained that historic success, and among the 5 that he mentioned, he highlighted two: public institutions and citizens aligned to achieve the same goal and a leadership focused on the construction of bridges and not of walls.

The 5 key reason of Barcelona’92 Olympic Games Success from Argelich Networks

In the debate, the former Minister of Industry and Energy and the former mayor of Mataró, Dr. Joan Majó, developed the concepts of Sustainability and Digital Equity as essential for the construction of an intelligent community. Dr. Majó insisted on the importance of the project as the basis of leadership

José María Cardellach, lawyer and president of Barcelona DF association, stressed the need for negotiation and constant dialogue as a method to realign a misaligned community. He defended the advantage of agreed or mediated solutions, although imperfect, against the imposed solutions.

The event communicated very positive and strong ideas about how a modern, plural and open society should be built. The speakers agreed that collaboration, networks and interdependence are essential to generate wealth and prosperity.

The organizers thanked the support and the welcome given to the event by the University of Barcelona.

If you want to collaborate with Intelligent Community Forum or that your community join it, don’t hesitate to contact us:

By telephone Tel. 93 4151235 or by electronic mail: argelich@argelich.coma