Dublin MEP promotes Dublin as ‘smart’ city

AN EXHIBITION of Dublin presenting the capital as a

‘smart, connected and sustainable city’ was launched at the European Parliament in Brussels last week.

The exhibition, opened by European Commissioner for Innovation and Research, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and launched by Dublin MEP Emer Costello (Lab) comes ahead of Horizon 2020, an e80bn EU research and innovation programme due to begin next year.

“As MEP for Dublin I wanted to use the opportunity of the Ireland’s Presidency to showcase Dublin as an innovation hub and an outward and forward looking city,

? said Ms Costello.

“Silicon Republic recently branded Dublin as the Internet Capital of Europe, due to the large number of IT companies originating from or based in Dublin.

“It is important to build on this success – technology is ever changing and we need to be ready to respond to this challenge.

?

The exhibition features 13 different initiatives showcasing the use of information and communication technologies, energy efficiencies and innovative partnerships, in creating

‘smarter cities’ to drive sustainable economic growth and prosperity for their citizens.

It was opened during a conference held last week to launch the ‘Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs’ a new EU initiative designed to address Europe’s shortage of skilled information, communications and technology (ICT) workers by 2015.

The conference brought together policy makers, scientists and industry representatives from across the world.

“I hope that some of these contacts will lead to concrete funding streams from Horizon 2020 when it comes online next year,

? Ms Costello added.

“For each exhibitor present, important networks will be developed. This very much ties in with the theme of the Irish Presidency – Stability, Jobs and Growth.

“Craig Barrett, former CEO of Intel, said during a visit to Dublin that

‘a smart environment where smart people and smart ideas can thrive is essential’.

“We hope to persuade European innovators and legislators that Dublin is best placed to provide that smart environment.

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European Commission President José Manuel Barroso called on Europe’s digital businesses, governments, training and education sectors to join the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs to address up to 900,000 vacancies expected to exist in Europe in the sector.

“The Grand Coalition is an essential part of getting Europe’s economy back on track and finding jobs for some of Europe’s 26 million unemployed,

? he said.

“If, together, we can turn the tide and fill the growing number of ICT vacancies, we will see a much wider impact across the whole economy. We want to empower Europeans to fill the jobs that will drive the next ICT revolution.

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A number of organisations have already made concrete pledges to the Grand Coalition including SAP, Telefonica, CISCO, HP and Microsoft. Several others, including Google, are also actively involved.