This event offers a unique opportunity for policymakers, institutional representatives, leaders from research and education networks (NRENs), innovative actors, and international partners to deepen their engagement and strengthen cooperation across Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, while also connecting with partners from other regions.
Positioned at the intersection of policy, innovation, and digital transformation, the SPIDER conference creates a strategic space for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration around shared challenges and opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Throughout April 15, participants will engage with key results and highlights from the SPIDER project, gain insights from cross-regional experiences, and take part in forward-looking discussions that reinforce international collaboration on digital transformation.
Programme overview – 15th April
08:30 – 09:00 I Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:00 – 09:20 I Opening Session: Digital Cooperation in a Changing World
09:20 – 09:40 I Policy Perspectives from Europe: Priorities for International Digital Cooperation
09:40 – 10:00 I From Vision to Action: Strengthening EU–LAC Digital Collaboration through SPIDER
Project Overview with Yolanda Ursa, Inmark (Spain)
10:00 – 10:45 I Keynote: Digital transformation beyond borders
Christoph Grundig, Greatech (Germany)
10:45 – 11:15 I Coffee and Networking Break
11:15 – 11:30 I Mapping the State of EU–LAC Digital Cooperation: Spiderhub AI-platforming
Cristian Patiño, Ecuadorian Corporation for the Development of Research and the Academy- CEDIA (Ecuador), and Johanna Füllmann, DLR Projektträger (Germany)
11:30 – 11:45 I Advancing DEI and Human-Centred Digital Transformation – Insights from the SPIDER Digital Dialogues Implementation Forum (DIF)
Maria Fernanda Cabrera, Polytechnic University of Madrid- UPM, LifeSTech (Spain)
11:45 – 13:00 I 1st Panel – EU–LAC Digital Transformation: Cooperation and Key Lessons
Regional cooperation models, lessons learned, and priorities for future EU–LAC digital transformation. The discussion will explore how SPIDER outcomes contribute to the long-term sustainability of the EU–LAC Digital Partnership and the BELLA Network.
Moderator: Carlos Gamboa, RedConare (Costa Rica)
Panelists:
- Luis Cadenas – Latin American Cooperation of Advanced Networks (RedCLARA)
- Tom Fryer – European National Research and Education Networks (GÉANT).
- Ruben Carrandi- European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN) – EU-LAC Digital Accelerator.
- Priscila Tie Assahida Moreira – Enrich in LAC.
- Claudia Romano (MEC) – EU-LAC ResINFRA.
- Anneken Reise (DLR) EU-LAC Interest Group.
13:00 – 14:00 I Lunch
14:00 – 14:45 I Keynote: A Connected Caribbean: Digital Cooperation as a Driver for Inclusion and Growth
Julissa Cruz, Dominican Institute of Telecommunications, Indotel (Dominican Republic)
14:45 – 15:00 I A Human-Centred Approach: Guidelines for Sustainable Digital Cooperation
Luis Vargas, Ecuadorian Corporation for the Development of Research and the Academy- CEDIA (Ecuador)
15:00 – 15:15 I Leveraging the BELLA Infrastructure for EU–LAC Collaboration – The Way Forward
Leandro Neumann Ciuffo, RNP (Brazil)
15:15 – 16:30 I 2nd Panel- Global Digital Transformation: Cooperation Beyond Regions
International cooperation models, shared infrastructures, and partnership frameworks that support R&I collaboration beyond borders. The discussion draws on SPIDER experiences and collaboration in global initiatives to identify success factors and common challenges.
Moderator: Stefan Wagener, DLR (Germany)
Panelists:
- EU – Indo Pacific Digital Partnership (INPACE). Svetlana Klessova, INPACE Project coordinator, ENRICH GLOBAL President, G.A.C Group Research and Innovation Partnerships Director (France)
- EU- LAC Digital Partnership (SPIDER). Paola Arellano, Chilean Research and Education Network- REUNA (Chile)
- EU – Africa Digital Partnership (SEADE). Fredy RÃos Silva, Steinbeis (Germany)
- EU-Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and the USA Digital Partnership (INSTAR). Rute Sofia, Research Institute of the Free State of Bavaria for software-intensive systems- fortiss (Germany)
- 28 Digital. Camilla Paris/Alessandra Zini, 28 Digital (Belgium)
16:30 – 16:40 I Group Picture
16:40 – 17:10 I Coffee and Networking Break
17:10 – 17:25 I Connecting Innovation Communities Across Regions – The SPIDER Twinning Programme
João Amaral / Carolina Turcato, EURA (Portugal)
17:25 – 17:40 I Looking Ahead: A Roadmap for EU–LAC Cooperation on Digital Transformation
Luciana Ayciriex, INMARK (Spain)
17:40 – 18:00 I Closing and Final Remarks
Eugenia Peñaloza, INMARK and Johanna Füllmann, DLR Projektträge
