1. Cities in the digital, innovation and knowledge age 1.1 A journey that began in 2005
The Committee of Digital and Knowledge‐based Cities of UCLG To achieve the objectives set during the Bilbao Summit, the UCLG Committee on the Information Society was established in 2005, Chaired by the City of Bilbao, to reduce the digital divide and implement local digital agendas as a means to improve the quality of life of citizens of decentralised governments. The Commission has sought to promote the development of a shared vision and joint measures among local governments in favour of an inclusive Information Society that promotes the reduction of the digital divide. In November 2009, it was deemed necessary, in addition to continuing with the work the Committee was performing to share digital development in solidarity with other cities and regions that are still far from reaching this goal, to provide the Committee with a broader scope, based on the pursuit of the competitive excellence of local governments through knowledge management and innovation in cities and municipalities.
With this in mind, the members of the Committee, and subsequently the UCLG World Council , adopted the decision to change the name of the Committee on the Information Society to the "Committee of Digital and Knowledge‐based Cities". A new name that responds to new objectives and that is in line with the work performed by the Committee. The Committee of Digital and Knowledge‐based Cities (CDC) of UCLG is seeking to create an efficient network of cooperation made up of Local Authorities with a view to seizing any opportunities that new information and communication technologies (ICT), innovation and knowledge may offer, and share those opportunities, assimilate them and adapt them to local needs to create new opportunities for all. www.cities‐localgovernments.org/committees/cdc
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