On Wednesday, October 8, in the morning, the Taula d'Entitats del Tercer Sector Social de Catalunya , through the m4Social initiative, organized the conference 'Connect and transform: social changes from digital innovation'. More than a hundred representatives of administrations, federations and alliances took part in the event. Through inspiring conversations, innovative experiences and transformative workshops, the meeting allowed progress in three essential areas: the fight against the digital divide, the use of data in social entities and the potential of artificial intelligence to improve both internal processes and the attention of groups.
In this sense, the institutional welcome highlighted the need to adapt to digitalization with a critical perspective and with a guarantee of rights and was given by Jèssica Celda from the Board of Entities of the Third Social Sector of Catalonia, Francesc Hernández from the Barcelona Provincial Council and Marc Simón from the La Caixa Foundation. David Fitó, head of m4Social, then recalled the ten years of the project and stressed that digital innovation only adds value if it transforms people's lives. Next, three inspiring conversations about transformative alliances were held by Mireia Fernández-Ardèvol, professor at the Open University of Catalonia, who presented the first Catalan digital divide index with sustainable indications and regional data, Nerea Plaza Martínez, head of social action at Aigües de Barcelona, who emphasized person-centered digitalization, and Andreu Francisco Roger, general director of Localret, who explained the essential elements of digital transformation in municipalities: vision, perseverance and coalition. Next, several innovative experiences were presented, such as, for example, GEDISI by Fedaia on the modernization and digital empowerment of entities that work with children, adolescents and young people, an emotional support project with artificial intelligence by Fundació Ajuda i Esperança and Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona School of Management, 'voces en red' by Creu Roja Catalunya on the social integration of the elderly, COMHOM by Associació Sant Joan de Déu on tackling homelessness from the roots, 'alteucostat' by Cocarmi and Rubí City Council on proposals, dynamics and activities around disabilities, 'digitalitza't' by Fundació Sargim, Fundació Mobile World Congress and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat City Council on community digital support and empowerment, and 'muvity' by Dincat on a telerehabilitation platform with detailed analyses designed for therapists.
Finally, the institutional closing was given by Sandra Ruiz, general director of Digital Economy and Society of the Department of Business and Employment of the Generalitat de Catalunya, who stressed the transformative value of alliances in improving the quality of life. In the afternoon, the day continued with small working groups that allowed for a deeper look into the three essential axes of the m4Social initiative.