Stimulating collaboration with Spanish institutions
  Barcelona 2000 strategic, economic and social plan
Since 1989, the Plan has stimulated dialogue and open debate between the representatives of economic and social agents (administrations, chambers of commerce, business associations, trade unions, businesses, etc.) in order to define the major objectives for the city. Its Telecommunications Commission plays a major role in defining the infrastructures.
  Autonomous Government of Catalonia, UOC (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya) , UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya), etc.
 These and many other institutions have collaborated with BARCELONA CITY COUNCIL on projects submitted to the BANGEMANN CHALLENGE.
  The following are collaborating on current European projects: UOC (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya), UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya), Telefònica, Oracle Ibèrica, Sun Microsystems, CTC (Cable i Televisió de Catalunya), CHC (Consorci Hospitalari de Catalunya), ATM
  Member of the Information Technology Commission of FEMP (Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias)




Stimulating collaboration with other European cities and with the European Commission (via the TAP (Telematics Application Programme))

  The TELECITIES/EDC network
  The "Major Cities of Europe" network
  Participation in current European projects (Infocities, GALA, NetforNets, EXE), Bologna, Cologne, Gothen- burg, S.E. London
  Bangemann Challenge. Barcelona is a member of the Management Committee and, as such, diffuses and stimulates the project throughout Spain and Latin America. 





To sum up:
Preparing
the future
   Barcelona City Council is determined to play an active role in the development of networks, in the information and communications technology training of citizens and businesses, and in the integration of information and advanced services in the working and day-to-day living habits of our city.

   Soon, this effort will bear its fruit. We are determined to carry on expanding the new opportunities that information and communications technology will offer. We are convinced of the fact that if they are well managed, technological advances will be a key part of an increasingly more competitive economy, and of a more advanced, democratic and participative population.

   Finally, we are aware of the fact that the future strategy cannot be restricted to simply being an extension of the current set of lines of work. If the final objective is QUALITY OF LIFE of citizens, we must be able to respond to the three objectives we mentioned (EQUALITY, COMPETITIVENESS AND EMPLOYMENT) and to the objective of TRAINING everyone in the handling of new technologies. We must also understand that these objectives are interdependent. We need to be aware of the fact that as resources are limited, it will be necessary to prioritise and select the objectives and the means invested in them well.

   To think about the difficulties of carrying it out requires a great deal of effort. But, in favour of the project, we must bear in mind that the catalysing role that Barcelona City Council (and the Public Administration in general) has to play in these initial stages will not be as essential in a few years time as it is now. We must also bear in mind that the task will become easier as experience teaches us how to select objectives and understand in greater detail the internal relations between the different aspects of the new Information Society.




    At this moment in time, it is important not to forget that the objective of competitiveness - of businesses and the city as a whole - must forcibly go hand in hand with an active employment policy and population training policy, too. Not only in the name of equality and solidarity, but because competitiveness also depends to a great extent on social cohesion and the working health of a city.


Barcelona City Council

   Institut Municipal d'Informàtica (IMI)
   Diagonal 220, 2nd Floor
   08018 Barcelona (Spain)
   e-mail:bcndigital@mail.bcn.es