Conference: Technology, democracy and social justice

Throughout the morning and afternoon, three discussions will take place. The aim is to analyse how technology has influenced public management and what opportunities and challenges it presents for social justice and democratic quality. Two round tables will be held:

Morning (9:30 – 13:30 h) Seminar and live podcast | REGISTER

9:30: Accreditations

9:45: Institutional welcome by Dolors Camats, Director of the Fundació Catalunya Europa

10:00 - 11:30: Technology and democracy in Allende’s government: the Cybersyn experience

• Raul Espejo. President of the World Organization of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC) and Director of Syncho Research UK. A recognised expert in systems and cybernetics, he has been a professor at the University of Lincoln (United Kingdom) and a fellow of the International Academy for Systems and Cybernetic Sciences (IASCYS). He is one of the key figures in the development of systems and cybernetic thinking globally.

• Carlos Senna. Academic and active researcher in second-order cybernetics and social theory. He has written on democracy, participation and creativity, exploring how cybernetic processes can influence political culture and collective projects, particularly in Latin America, including the role of Cybersyn in Chile.

11:30 - 12:00: Coffee break

12:00 - 13:30: Innovation and good governance: the legacy of Pasqual Maragall

• Teresa Serra i Majem. Computer Science graduate from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and holder of a master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Paris. She served as technical lead for the IT systems of the Metropolitan Corporation of Barcelona and as senior IT and organisational officer at Barcelona City Council during Pasqual Maragall’s tenure as mayor.

• Andreu Ulied. PhD in Civil Engineering from UPC and Master in Urban Planning from Harvard University. Collaborator on technological affairs in Pasqual Maragall’s government between 2003 and 2006.

Afternoon (18:00 – 19:30 h) Open debate and closing with exhibition visit | REGISTER

18:00 - 19:30: DemoacracIA: governance of the future

• Simona Levi. Activist, playwright and technopolitics expert. Founder of Xnet, she has led initiatives on transparency, digital rights and democracy in the digital age, and is internationally recognised for her work defending freedom of information and democratic innovation.

• David Lizoain Bennett. Director General of Economic Analysis and Foresight of the Government of Catalonia. Economist trained at Harvard and the London School of Economics, he has worked on analysing the impact of digital transformation and new technologies on the economy and public policy.

Moderated by: Mar Redondo, Head of Communications at Fundació Catalunya Europa

19:30 - 20:00: Exhibition visit

Organised by: Fundació Catalunya Europa