Song explaining why users have a key contribution to make to innovation – first presented at the Opening of the DLLD!
Thank you for your participation in the conference, which has seen more than 330+ participants. We have had three very rewarding days, filled with interesting discussions, workshops and presentations. We hope you have had many discussions with your peers, learned something new or formed new partnerships.
While we couldn’t meet in person this year, we hope you enjoyed the digital experience. The two photos taken during the closing session, show only a handful of participants who joined the closing session – but we would like to thank everyone for joining us!
We hope to see you at the next Open or Digital Living Lab Days!
Inspiration speakers from various disciplines shared their thoughts and key learnings on the theme of the conference.
Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of Exeter
Originally a chemical engineer, Professor John Bessant has been active in research, teaching and consultancy in technology and innovation management for over 25 years. He currently holds the Chair in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Exeter University where he is also Research Director. In 2003, he was awarded a Fellowship with the Advanced Institute for Management Research and was also elected a Fellow of the British Academy of Management. He served on the Business and Management Panel of both the 2001 and 2008 Research Assessment Exercises. He has acted as advisor to various national governments and to international bodies including the United Nations, The World Bank and the OECD. Professor Bessant is the author of over 30 books and monographs and many articles on the topic and has lectured and consulted widely around the world. His most recent books include Managing innovation (2018)(now in its 6th edition) Entreprenurship (2018) (both published by John Wiley and Sons) and 'Riding the innovation wave' (Emerald, 2017). You can find more and follow his blog at https://johnbessant.org
Chair of the UNESCO Information For All Programme and Board member of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education
Dorothy Gordon is the Chair of the UNESCO Information For All Programme and Board member of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education. She has worked in the field of international development and technology for over thirty years and is recognised as a leading technology activist and specialist on policy, education, technology and society in Africa. Her work as a leader, manager, consultant and speaker has taken her to over 100 countries. She is a strong advocate of the ROAM principles (internet universality), building on her work with the Open Movement and Creative Commons.
Chief Evangelist and Founder of Funzi
Aape Pohjavirta is the Chief Evangelist and Founder of Funzi, a mobile learning and information service for the emerging markets. In that role, he has become a recognized industry leader with a vision on how science, technology, and innovation will contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He is also a passionate entrepreneurship coach and a frequent lecturer in universities, incubation and acceleration programs, and other institutions. Aape has worked with digital since 1988 and in the mobile industry since 1997 in various management roles and has a solid track record of international business, product, and technology development including, Exomi Ltd., C&M Capital, Sofi Securities, Vineyard Ltd., Brossco Systems, and People Group. Aape is an Apple Achiever, an international patent inventor, and an inspirational public speaker.
GFI Corporate Vice President Belux, former CEO Ericsson Belux and Digital champion of Belgium
Saskia van Uffelen is the CEO of Ericsson Belux and the Digital Champion of Belgium. Saskia aims to get all Belgians online, to change the "geek" image about STEM with a special attention for girls/women and to stimulate to boost the Digital transformation of the industry, the government, the academic world. Saskia is strongly supporting the Digital Belgium Plan. Digital Belgium is the action plan, which outlines the digital long-term vision for the country and translates this into clear ambitions. On the basis of five clear, specific priorities we would like to put Belgium more firmly on the digital map. Digital Infrustructure Digital Confidence and Digital Security Digital Government Digital Economy Digital Skills and Jobs
Founder & CEO of Tataj Innovation
Dr. Daria Tataj (Entrepreneur Motivational Speaker), Founder & CEO of Tataj Innovation, is the world expert on innovation networks. Tataj Innovation empowers entrepreneurs through Network Thinking, a methodology based on 15+ years of Daria’s research done in collaboration with Prof. Manuel Castells. Prof. Castells endorsed her book ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ as a fundamental book that will reshape the way we think about innovation.
Head of Unit DG Connect Smart Mobility and Living in DG Communication Networks, Content and Technology.
Mr Hartog has Dutch nationality and was born and raised in Utrecht (the Netherlands). He obtained a degree in political economics at the Erasmus University (Rotterdam) and subsequently a post-graduate degree at the College of Europe (Bruges, Belgium). He has worked in the European Commission since 1989, first in Trade policy, then in Regional policy and in Maritime policy and lately in Information Society and Media policy. He is a Head of Unit since 2003. His present responsibility (since July 2016) is Head of Unit for Smart Mobility and Living in DG Communication Networks, Content and Technology.
Policy Advisor for Digital Government, Governance & Innovation, OECD
Ethel Hui Yan Tan is a public policy and communications specialist at the OECD Directorate for Public Governance, Open and Innovative Government Division. She works with governments across Europe, Middle East and Asia to design policies that strengthen digital government and data governance, promote the creation of open and innovative ecosystems and deliver economic and social value to citizens. Ethel also actively advises and engages with businesses, think tanks and non-governmental organisations on public-private collaborations and international co-operation towards creating a sustainable, citizen-centric digital future. She has worked for global strategic communications firms such as Ogilvy, Golin and Hill+Knowlton Strategies; and consulted for executive leadership and training firms in the management consulting and banking industries. Ethel holds a Master in Public Policy from Sciences Po and a Global Elite of Business Administration from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.