Toronto links with international digital cities network

    TORONTO, March 21 /CNW/ - Toronto Mayor David Miller signed an agreement
with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom today that links Toronto with other
international cities and regions in a global Digital City Network, which
supports the commercialization of innovative digital media technologies and
advancements. Cities that have signed on to the Network that San Francisco is
spearheading include: Paris, France; Prague, Czech Republic; Dublin, Ireland;
Guadalajara, Mexico; Skopje, Macedonia and Singapore.
    "Businesses in Toronto's ICT sector constantly develop and use new
technology to increase the city's international profile and presence in the
global economy," said Mayor David Miller. "Developing partnerships with our
international counterparts through initiatives, such as the Digital City
Network are a positive step towards increasing global connectivity and
collaboration."
    "We're delighted to be working with Toronto on this initiative," said
Mayor Gavin Newsom. "Both of our cities have strong ICT-based industries and
creative enterprises. This agreement lays the foundation for the
commercialization of new, innovative technology that will enable closer ties
between our two cities and other regions around the world."
    The signing was facilitated through video conference held at Autodesk in
Toronto and at San Francisco State University (SFSU) and can be viewed at
http://events.telemerge.ca/cityoftoronto/022107/index.php
    The event was supported by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
and by the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco and Telemerge Canada.
    The initiative is lead by Joaquin Alvarado, Director of the Institute of
Next Generation Internet at SFSU. "The Digital City Network involves cities
and regions that we believe are forward-looking," said Alvarado. "Toronto was
chosen to be part of the Network because of its New Media and IT industry. We
were looking to partner with cities and regions that we believe are creative
and technological hubs. Toronto was a perfect choice to join the Network. "
    Alvarado was introduced to City Council in March 2006. At that time, he
invited Toronto to be part of the Digital City Network and was encouraged to
move forward to strengthen the ties between the two cities. The signing of the
Digital City Network Agreement formalizes this relationship.

    The nine objectives outlined in the Digital City Network Agreement are
to:

    -   broker international relationships between educational, business, and
        community-based digital media organizations
    -   create new business to business ventures between jurisdictions
    -   support the growth and innovation of existing digital media
        businesses
    -   develop new cutting-edge digital media companies in each location
    -   encourage private and public investment in advanced digital
        technologies and linkages between jurisdictions
    -   expand workforce development and education opportunities in digital
        media
    -   provide technical support for digital media incubators and business
        accelerators
    -   develop strategies to respond to the rapid changes in new media
        technologies
    -   inform shareholders about emerging digital media issues, innovations
        and best practices.

    Toronto ICT firms have already designed and implemented some of the
world's most advanced broadband networks and technologies for business,
research and educational applications.

    Projects the Digital City Network may work on include:

    -   promoting cultural exchanges through specific digital media projects
    -   identifying and supporting the development of business to business
        relationships, co-productions, joint ventures and investment
        opportunities
    -   conducting joint research and development projects
    -   defining Next Generation Internet in terms of networking standards
        and protocols
    -   creating cost-effective opportunities for existing companies and to
        experiment, develop and prototype products using next generation
        internet technology.

    For more information about the City of Toronto's ICT cluster, visit
www.toronto.ca/invest-in-toronto/informationtech.htm.

    Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to
a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of
Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In
the past three years Toronto has won more than 50 awards for quality and
innovation in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to
prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.

                     Visit our website at www.toronto.ca

For further information: Media contacts: Rob Berry, Manager, Sector and
Strategic Partnerships, (416) 392-3387, (416) 576-7026, rberry@toronto.ca;
Joaquin Alvarado, Director, Institute of Next Generation Internet, (415)
405-4059, (510) 761-0657, joaquin@sfsu.edu