The Rio, Brazil Smart+Connected Communities Institute Leadership Conference is a learning experience to cities and practitioners where speakers will present and discuss important topics related to urbanization challenges in Latin America and the role of ICT and Technology to address these challenges. Local and International experts will present perspectives and case studies on Urban Planning, Smart Transportation, Health Care, Education and Safety&Security. See below for an outline of the topics.

Core Topics

Healthcare

Preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health are basic needs of every human being. Cities that care for these needs through organized efforts find greater access to prosperity in all its forms and emerge as leaders on the global stage. Public health measures can also act as an entry point for the disenfranchised into other beneficial public services.

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure grows organically as a city evolves – this makes the rare opportunity for forced evolution during preparation for mega events all the more valuable. The systemic opportunities that also exist at this time allow for abundant innovation and can make a great city all the more spectacular for the world stage.

Education

With more than 25% of Rio de Janeiro’s population living in favelas, education is seen as the preferred mechanism for class mobility. And the situation in Rio is not much different than other emergining economies. Education is a monumentally costly virtual good whose benefits are realized after decades of continued investment.

Safety & Security

After the most basic of human needs – breathing, food, water – are satisfied, people need safety and security in order to reach their greatest potential. Without safety and security of one’s own body, work, family, health, and property, Maslow’s Hierarchy begins to break down.

Threads Woven Throughout All Presentations

Mega [Sporting] Events

With the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games fast approaching, Rio de Janeiro has a unique opportunity to not only renew its city, but to redefine the world’s relationship with Latin America.

ICT Infrastructure

The evolution of Information Communications Technology has unlocked new ways to work, live, play, and learn that are far too significant to be ignored – particularly during periods of massive infrastructure overhauls and systemic public investments that will last a century.

Social Inclusion

When all members of society benefit from the actions of government, a civilization will thrive. Policies that are sensitive to social inclusion reduce economic, social, and technological disparity.

Integrated Urban Planning

An integrated urban plan views the city and the services it provides in a systemic way, considering the relationships and information exchanges between services as important as the services themselves.

Sustainability

Can we continue doing things the way we’re accustomed in perpetuity? If not, what can we change to improve? How would nature do it? These are the types of questions sustainability professionals and visionary leaders will ask as they approach innovative solutions to monumental challenges.