1. Breakout Session Agenda
Connected and Sustainable Socioeconomic Challenge
Themed Breakout Sessions,
Day 2: Friday, May 22, 2009
Time: 10:20–11:40 a.m.
Overview
This interactive session focuses on applying the collective intelligence of conference delegates to identify
the main elements of a successful local, sustainable socioeconomic strategy. A moderated discussion,
instead of a speaker line-up, including all delegates provides the opportunity for a broad range of
perspectives and experiences to be shared and debated.
The world is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises: climate change is affecting the way we
currently acquire the planet’s limited natural resources; world populations continue to urbanize beyond limits
never imagined, causing challenges related to urban governance, mobility, and ineffective resource
allocation and management; the economic crisis has reached global heights; and the most productive of
industrialized societies are increasingly experiencing aging populations. In total, the convergence of crises
has cumulated into nothing less than a “perfect storm” unheard of in modern human history in scale and
complexity.
This situation is manifesting visibly in our cities, where the consequences of these issues are being felt:
increased unemployment, decreased (or no) social integration and resources for infrastructure renewal,
increased traffic and energy shortages, and heightened exposure to the effects of climate change. Local
communities are places where solutions must provide positive impact; and where investment, innovation,
and job creation must occur. Yet, this recognition goes hand-in-hand with the understanding that local
communities can and will succeed only by ensuring effective collaboration between local, national, and
international governments and authorities on the one hand, while mobilizing the four “Ps”—public-private-
people partnerships—on the other hand.
Green and Digital Economic Stimulus
This session's discussions focus on green and digital economic stimulus programs.
Moderator:
Peter Gruetter, Distinguished Fellow, Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group
Mark de Kruijk, Director of Topstad, City of Amsterdam
What are the long-term implications of global stimulus packages to cities and to their green and digital
strategies? The session focuses on green and digital imperatives and opportunities, taking into
consideration the role of green and digital stimulus programs that aid economic recovery and the
prioritization of sustainability objectives. Participants will share their own perspectives, circumstances, and
experiences in the refocusing of urban infrastructures and services, as communities take advantage of
green and digital opportunities that result from global stimulus packages.
Questions to be addressed in this discussion session:
1. How can cities successfully address national stimulus measures? Are there current examples of city-led
connected, sustainable recovery measures?
2. Do high-density networked urban infrastructures afford greater opportunities for targeted investments
with positive long-term effects?
3. What are the most important developments government leaders can apply to make their cities the best
places in which to live and work?