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ENoLL at Science Summit @UNGA79

Every September the whole diplomatic world gathers in New York around the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Science Summit provides policymakers the key messages of the research community for cutting-edge responses to the challenges. This year, ENoLL – European Network of Living Labs – is organising a series of events to highlight the role of Living Labs in the achievement the Sustainable Development Goals and in supporting the digital and green transition through co-design and co-creation actions, and will fly with a Delegation of Members to New York.

The sessions will be held in Hybrid mode so, either you can join us in person (seats are limited) or you can participate online.

Please, register at the links below each description:

The field visit to the Trust for Governors Island Living Lab will take place on September 11th, 2024, as part of the SSUNGA79. This visit will explore the Living Lab on Governors Island, a pioneering initiative in climate solutions. With the participation of the Director of Climate Programs at the Trust for Governors Island, Lauren E. Wang, the visit will demonstrate how this dynamic platform is advancing climate action through research, education, and community engagement.

The session “Living Labs, Accelerator Labs, and the New Pact for the Future” is scheduled for the morning of September 12th, 2024, at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations. This session, organized by ENoLL and i2Cat Foundation, and concerted with UNDP, will bring together representatives from UNDP, ENoLL, and various global Living Labs to discuss the role of Science, Technology, and Innovation in the proposed new Pact for the Future. It will explore potential collaborations to address global challenges, such as health, digital cooperation, and urban innovation by bridging the UNDP Accelerator Labs and Living Labs.

Registration: https://forms.office.com/e/d6N1bdrfcy

Agenda

9:30 – 9:45 | Welcome by the Organizer

Speakers:  Martina Desole, Director at ENoLL,

Dr. Dumisani Mthembu, Director Environmental Impact Evaluation at Environmental Affairs, Department of Science and Technology of South Africa

Collaboration between ENoLL members in Europe and South Africa

 9:45 – 10:10 | Defining Living Labs and Increasing their efficiency to Sustainable development by networking them 

Speakers: Evdokimos Kostantinins- Chair at ENoLL

10:10 – 10:40 | Introduction to the Accelerator Living Labs  

Speaker: Erika Antoine-Souklaye, UNDP Accelerator Labs Global Strategic Communications and Partnerships Specialist

10:40 – 11:00 | Vision for the new Pact for the Future and the new role of science, technology, innovation and digital cooperation in achieving SDGs and beyond

Speaker: Isidre Sala Queralt, Head of the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the United States of America & Canada 

11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee Break 

11:30 – 12:30 | Roundtable: Living Labs and Accelerator Labs Experiences

Speakers:

  • Evdokimos Kostantinidis, Chair of the WG Health
  • Marta Martorell, Director, Digital Society Technologies Area – I2CAT
  • Erika Antoine-Souklaye, UNDP Accelerator Labs Global Strategic Communications and Partnerships Specialist
  • Georgia Ayfantoupoulou, Chair of the WG Transitions
  • Wim Dekinderen, Chair of the WG Urban Innovation
  • Valentino Piana, Chair of the WG Energy & Environment
  • Busisiwe Ntuli, Director, Technology for Sustainable Livelihoods, Department of Science and Technology of South Africa
  • Ndeye Fatou NDIAYE, Director, FDSUT Senegal

12:30 – 12:55 | Interview: Reflections on the Synergies between Living Labs and Accelerator Labs – Complementary Strengths and Collaborative Frameworks:

Speakers:

  • Artur Serra, Deputy Director – I2CAT, Alessandro Mrakic, Regional Partnership and Communications Team Leader – UNDP
  • Erika Antoine-Souklaye, UNDP Accelerator Labs Global Strategic Communications and Partnerships Specialist

12:55 – 13:00 | Q&A and Conclusions

Speaker: Evdokimos Kostantinidis, Chair at ENoLL

The afternoon session “Funding Living Labs: Insights from South Africa, Canada, and EU Funding Agencies” on September 12th, 2024, will also be held at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations. This session will focus on the diverse funding models that support Living Labs across Africa, North America, and Europe. The President of SSHRC, Ted Hewitt, will present opportunities in Canada, the Director of the Living Lab programme of DSI, Busisiwe Ntuli will discuss the Living Labs funding in South Africa, where Kerstin Rosenow, Head of Unit of DG AGRI of the European Commission will bring the example of how the EC choose Living Labs to implement the objectives of the EU Mission “ A Soil Deal for Europe”. Together they will share successful case studies and discuss strategies for scaling these innovation ecosystems globally.

Registration: https://forms.office.com/e/ESkb7iz6Cz

Draft Agenda

14:00 – 14:10 | Opening Remarks

Moderator: Martina Desole

Welcome and introduction, outlining the session’s objectives and importance.

14:10 – 14:25 | South Africa’s Strategic Vision: Empowering Living Labs through Targeted Funding

Speaker: Busisiwe Ntuli, Director, Technology for Sustainable Livelihoods Department of Science and Technology of South Africa

Exploring South Africa’s funding mechanisms for Living Labs, showcasing key strategies and success stories.

14:25 – 14:40 | Canada’s Blueprint: Innovative Funding Pathways for Living Labs

Speaker: Ted Hewitt, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canada

Insight into Canada’s funding landscape for Living Labs, highlighting successful initiatives and strategies.

14:40 – 14:55 | EU Strategies: Leveraging Living Labs for Citizen Engagement and Research Impact

Speaker: Luis Sanchez Alvarez, Head of Sector- New Research and Innovation Concepts

Examining how EU funding models use Living Labs to foster citizen participation, the quadruple helix, and enhance research impact.

14:55 – 15:10 |Senegal’s Digital Frontier: Strategic Funding for Living Labs by FDSUT

Speaker:

  • Aissata Cheikh LYHead of FDSUT’s projects, Senegal
  • Marta Martorell, Head of DST-i2cat, Barcelona
Exploring Senegal’s approach to funding Living Labs through the FDSUT, highlighting the impact on digital innovation and community development.

15:10 – 15:50 | Moderated Discussion

Moderator: Eva Kehaiya, McGill University (TBC)

Panel discussion on common challenges, opportunities for international collaboration, and potential policy recommendations.

15:50 – 16:00 | Q&A Session

Interactive session allowing participants to engage with speakers and share insights.

16:00 – 16:15 | Closing Remarks

Speakers: Evdokimos Kostantinidis, Martina Desole

Summary of key takeaways, next steps, and follow-up actions.

The session “Global Digital Compact and Living Labs” will take place on September 13th, 2024, at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations. With two exeptional Keynote speakers: Kersten Jauer, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning,  UN Secretary-General’s Office and Oscar Romero, Chief Information Officer (CIO) @ The NYC Civic Engagement Commission.

This session will examine how Living Labs can contribute to the Global Digital Compact’s vision of creating inclusive and open digital societies. Participants will discuss the role of Living Labs in bridging digital divides, fostering responsible innovation, and supporting global digital cooperation.

Registration: https://forms.office.com/e/yPFPR2xrpa

Agenda

9:30 – 9:45 | Welcome Remarks

Speakers: Andreas Fransson, Policy Officer Digitalization, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN; Evdokimos Kostantinidis, Chair at ENoLL; Martina Desole, Director at ENoLL

Welcome by Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations

Defining Living Labs and Increasing their efficiency to Sustainable development by networking them

 9:45 – 10:00 | Keynote

Speaker: Kersten Jauer, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning, UN Secretary-General’s Office

10:00 – 10:15 | Keynote

Speaker: Oscar Romero, Chief Information Officer (CIO), The NYC Civic Engagement Commission

10:15 – 10:30 | Living Labs and the Global Digital Compact: towards citizen-centric digital societies

Speaker: Artur Serra, Deputy Director, i2Cat

10:30 – 10:45 | Leveraging Living Labs to Advance UN SDGs and Support the Green and Digital Transition

Speaker: Valentino Piana, Chair of the WG Energy & Environment

10:45 – 11:00 | Regional Transformation through Living Labs

Speaker: Georgia Ayfantoupoulou, Chair of the WG Transitions

11:00 – 11:15 | Policy Innovation, Digital Societies, and the Living Lab Approach

Speakers: Madeleine Lyes, Head of the UL/LCCC Citizen Innovation Lab; Kieran Reeves, Climate Action Coordinator for Limerick City and County Council

11:15 – 11:30 | Coffee Break

11:30 – 11:45 | Case Study: Presentation of the Brainport Eindhoven Living Lab

Speaker: Wim Dekinderen, City of Eindhoven Representative & Chair of the WG Urban Innovation

11:45 – 12:00 | Case Study: From a Regional Model to a Global Model – El Collaboratori Catalunya

Speaker: Marta Martorell, Director, Digital Society Technologies Area, i2Cat

12:00 – 12:15 | Case Study: Innovation and Digitalisation through Living Labs for Local Economic Development in South Africa

Speaker: Busisiwe Ntuli, Director, Technology for Sustainable Livelihoods, Department of Science and Technology of South Africa

12:15 – 12:30 | Case study: Senegal’s Digital Strategy 2025, The Living Lab Program and Experience of FDSUT

Speaker: Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye, Director FDSUT Senegal

12:15 – 13:15 | Closing Roundtable: How Living Labs Can Help the Implementation of the Global Digital Compact in View of the Summit of the Future?

Speakers:

  • Artur Serra, Deputy Director, i2Cat
  • Busisiwe Ntuli, Director, Technology for Sustainable Livelihoods, Department of Science and Technology of South Africa
  • Georgia Ayfantoupoulou, Chair of the WG Transitions
  • Valentino Piana, Chair of the WG Energy & Environment
  • Evdokimos Kostantinidis, Chair at ENoLL
Keywords:

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