The Barcelona Provincial Council is hosting its annual Open Government Week from 18 to 22 May, offering training and information on transparency, public information access, integrity, artificial intelligence, and public data. The event, organised by the Provincial Council's Cabinet for Innovation, Integrity, and Local Digital Transformation, provides a practical space to support municipalities in good governance.
This year's programme addresses five key areas: transparency, public information access, integrity, data governance, and artificial intelligence. The goal is to provide criteria, experiences, and tools for daily management, helping to strengthen local governments. The sessions combine expert-led webinars, participatory workshops, and informative content, incorporating perspectives from local government, citizens, and the private sector.
The central idea of Open Government Week is to share successful practices, identify areas for improvement, and offer concrete tools to advance public management. The sessions are open to public sector staff, other professionals in open government and good governance, and any interested individuals. Attendance is free, requiring only prior registration.
Key Sessions and Topics
The week begins on 18 May with a focus on Transparency. Sessions include a look at individual active publicity reports from the Síndic de Greuges (Ombudsman) and the appeals process, led by Ruth Cortés from the Síndic de Greuges. Carolina Gómez and David Gutiérrez from the Barcelona Provincial Council will discuss the importance of accountability in Municipal Action Plans.
Public Information Access is the theme for 19 May. Carles San José Amat will present on the special access regime in Public Information Access Service (SAIP) management. Maria Salvador from the Barcelona Provincial Council will lead a session titled 'From Theory to Play: SAIPs in Action'.
On 20 May, the focus shifts to Integrity and Good Governance. A round table featuring companies, entities, and citizens will discuss current challenges for open government in local bodies. Alberto Gago from AESIA will explain how AESIA guides can assist with AI systems in the local public sector.
Artificial Intelligence and Future Governance
Artificial Intelligence will be a key topic on both 21 and 22 May. On 21 May, Francisco Javier Osorio from Manzanares City Council, Núria Josa from Girona Provincial Council, and Francesc Cid from Olesa de Montserrat City Council will explore 'Augmented Administration', showing how AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) are changing the public sector.
The final day, 22 May, continues with AI. Ascen Moro from Sant Feliu de Llobregat City Council, Iolanda Linares from L'Hospitalet de Llobregat City Council, Laura Sunyol from Mataró City Council, and Àngel Bassol from Matadepera City Council will present a roadmap for ethical, efficient, and human local administration. Sergi Sales from ThinkUPC will conclude the week by demonstrating how to create a public, sovereign, secure, and ethical AI system on a PC.
Open Government Week is an annual initiative by the international organisation Open Government Partnership (OGP), which Catalonia joined in 2020. During this week, government officials, leaders, activists, thinkers, and citizens share ideas and discuss current challenges. The Barcelona Provincial Council's activities align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 16, 'Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions', part of the UN's 2030 global agenda. The Provincial Council supports local governments in the province in meeting these SDGs.
