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Thank you.
The structures of power are changing.
Every day we are thinking more of a society that is no longer thinking
in terms of hierarchies and models of government.
from top to bottom,
and little by little,
we are thinking more in terms of networks
and more horizontal models of government.
We, citizens, also understand social networks
far beyond sharing photos,
having friends or following people.
We understand them as something that redefines a society,
something in which citizens can participate in a different way,
engage in a different way,
organize ourselves differently,
and find those shared experiences;
shared experiences that sometimes
can result in movements
that emerge and lead to the street.
There is also the other side of the coin,
institutions still thinking they can censor the Internet
or that it can be used to misinform people.
This kind of practices – what they are doing
is not only threatening the Internet and the way it's used,
but worse still,
they reflect a radical disconnection
between what is really happening between the citizens' lifestyle
and the public policies that are proposed.
We need governments that listen.
We need leaders who listen,
who adapt,
who consult with the citizens
same way we, citizens,
discuss today.
We, citizens, already understand democracy
much beyond voting from time to time.
We find that technology can redefine this space;
it may be a space where we can
meet and participate in a different way
and be a much smarter city.
It's not only desirable,
it's also necessary.
It's necessary to redefine various aspects of the citizen,
for example,
about security,
where citizens can
get involved with the institutions
and report much more efficiently,
employing the means we already use,
so that governments
can identify in real time,
the citizens' real concerns,
find what the problems are,
where the problems are,
and who is responsible in real time, and based on that,
take more efficient and more effective decisions.
Or, for example, the human rights.
It's not just to protect groups of journalists
or put an end to violence against children,
but also to get alerted
and also so that others can hear
and understand the magnitude of the problem that is happening.
Also about education.
We have to stop thinking about this model of education broadcast,
where we are all evaluated under the same parameters
and we all learn the same things.
We need a more personalized model and also need to think about
how we solve problems in a much more practical way.
About transportation.
Transport is changing,
i.e.,
It's not just
to encourage more innovative ideas of how to move in the city,
but also to grow based on that.
Perhaps this type of solutions
is not just for the hipsters of the Condesa,
but can also serve
someone who has to move
from Pantitlán to Milpa Alta,
and, as we address these solutions,
make them available for them too.
Then, run a good study of how it's being used.
In the end, the Internet has a democratising effect.
Citizens can participate in a different way.
We can contribute our ideas,
we can get involved with our governments,
still not a direct democracy,
but a 21st century democracy.
We need governments who promote transparency,
promote accountability
and citizen participation.
If we have active citizens
who are involved in society,
public policies are legitimate
and they catalyze
and are understood,
which is also very important.
We are talking about a new economy,
a new way of generating wealth,
a way in which various companies can be generated
that would be agile,
flexible,
willing to test very quickly,
not be afraid of failure,
that would learn and and move forward.
In the end, we are facing a great opportunity
to rethink and to rejuvenate our institutions,
social networks and technology, nothing else but a catalyst
for this new great change,
for this overall effect that is already happening.
And the government has to become that platform
that encourages and catalyzes innovation.
Thanks a lot.