Thanks to the publication of the draft Pact, interested city residents have been able to make comments, submit amendments and actively participate in debates to develop the Pact collectively. The deadline for submitting amendments is 9 February.
The process of drafting the City Pact for Digital Rights and Democratic Technologies is coming to a close, with the end of the proposals and debate period. The Pact is moving forward, with direct involvement from city residents. This initiative was created with a view to making sure the digitalisation process in Barcelona is fair, equitable and sustainable, and public participation is one of the keys to its success.
During the proposals and debate period, the initiative – coordinated by the Technical Office of the Canòdrom-Centre for Digital Innovation and Democracy and the Directorate of Participation and Democratic Innovation Services – organised a participatory process through the decidim.barcelona platform. This space has been used to collectively define what the city’s digitalisation process should look like, with discussion of issues such as access to data, use of AI in public management and the strengthening of the local technological ecosystem. Through the platform, city residents have been able to access the draft Pact and submit amendments before it is finally approved.
Work sessions and amendments from the public
On 14 January, the Canòdrom held a work session with the Catalan Round Table of Third Social Sector Organisations, in order to provide a space for debate and collect comments and amendments. The organisation found the gathering to be a highly positive experience, highlighting participants’ constructive contributions. Some of the most discussed topics were diverse, cross-cutting digitalisation, IT literacy and use of democratic technologies, as well as technological independence.
As for the amendments submitted by city residents, one of most extensively discussed topics was the use of fair, accessible artificial intelligence in the public interest. As the aim of the participatory process was to reach as many people as possible, it brought together a wide range of profiles (individuals and associations) with different perspectives on the city’s digital future and the use of technology.
Validation of the proposal
From 10 February, the Pact will enter a new phase, focusing on the monitoring and validation of the proposal, led by the steering group. This group is made up of eight leading experts in the study and protection of digital rights and democratic technologies in cities, from academia, the public sector and the social sector, supported by the Canòdrom Technical Office.
Participants include researchers Efraín Foglia, Liliana Arroyo and Alba Soler; Pau Balcells, from the Barcelona Open Data Service, and leading digital activists such as Marga Padilla, Simona Levi and Ali González.
A permanent space for debate and co-creation
Beyond this first in-person session, the Pact seeks to create an organisational structure that guarantees ongoing public participation, with planned measures including an annual assembly and various working committees focusing on specific subjects – such as AI, open-source software, digital rights and open data – as well as the creation of a stable digital governance space taking contributions on an ongoing basis.
The proposal reflects the consultative nature of the Pact, in line with Barcelona City Council’s Public Participation Regulations, with a view to providing a space for real debate and co-creation among multiple social stakeholders that can have an impact on public policies.
