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:
12:30 – 12:55 | Interview: Reflections on the Synergies between Living Labs and Accelerator Labs – Complementary Strengths and Collaborative Frameworks:
Speakers:
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:
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:
The European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) is the international, non-profit, independent association of benchmarked Living Labs.
