In the latest move to encourage information sharing across international borders, Westchester County can claim credit for bringing together two global networks focused on the role of technology in economic, social and cultural development. 

The cooperative agreement between the Global Digital City Network (GDCN) and the International Network of E-Communities (INEC) will get innovative regions around the world -- from Japan to Greece and South Africa -- sharing their best practices, jointly promoting activities and increasing global business opportunities for their members. Westchester was invited to join GDCN in 2007 as a result of its commitment to promoting global trade and has played a leading role in the organization ever since – even hosting the network’s annual conference in 2008. 

The partnership was initiated by Scott Fernqvist, a special assistant to County Executive Andy Spano who specializes in global strategy and economic development. He met the INEC leadership at last year’s Building the Broadband Economy Summit recognizing Westchester as one of the Top 7 Most Intelligent Communities in the world and later solidified support for the partnership at the GDCN conference in Westchester.  

“Scott knows our international efforts inside and out and he immediately recognized that these two networks have the same goals,” Spano said. “We thought why not bring the two groups together and create more learning opportunities all around?  We should be seeing the benefits of this cooperative effort for years to come.”

The agreement, signed by Shin Mori, GDCN president and mayor of Kakamigahara, Japan, and INEC Chairman Hans Tijl, outlines a number of important areas for cooperation between the global networks and recognizes the shared mission of both organizations. They will work together to expand economic development opportunities as well as share information about e-government, broadband and new technologies. As a result of the agreement, INEC and GDCN members will jointly promote activities of mutual interest, expand their global reach and gain access to key governmental and private sector contacts in like-minded cities.

The other regions involved in GDCN are Dalian, Jilin, Shenyang and Yanji (China); Dubai (United Arab Emirates); Dundee (Scotland); Gold Coast City (Australia); Kakamigahara City, Inuyama City (Japan); and Chuncheon City (Korea); Nizhny Novgorod (Russia). INEC members at present include Amsterdam and Almere (the Netherlands), Cyberjaya (Malaysia), Gauteng (South Africa), Malta, Manchester (UK), San Francisco (USA), Seltjarnarnes (Iceland), Trikala (Greece) and UTOPIA (Utah, USA).