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Winnipeg Named One of World's Top 7 Intelligent Communities for 2018

For the third time in five years, Winnipeg has been recognized by the International Community Forum (ICF) as one of the world’s leading intelligent communities. This international challenge recognizes the city’s global leadership in technology deployment and effective data usage, digital innovation and advocacy, and demonstrating a commitment to using data to improve the lives of its citizens.

This is Winnipeg’s third commendation from the ICF as a Top 7 Intelligent Community, having also received this designation in 2017 and 2014. Winnipeg is one of only two Canadian cities recognized by the ICF for 2018, alongside cities in Taiwan, Finland and Australia.

“We are extremely pleased that Winnipeg has been recognized once again as one of the most intelligent communities in the world,” said Dayna Spiring, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. “Our city’s commitment to using data in a way that helps our economic and social growth is a competitive advantage that we do not talk about enough. This commendation proves that the world is taking notice of Winnipeg as a progressive technology hub, and that we have the infrastructure and intelligence to become a model for the future.”

The awards program salutes the accomplishments of communities in developing inclusive prosperity built on a foundation of information and communications technology. Each year, a theme is chosen that relates to this overall objective. This year’s theme, Humanizing Data, asked applicants to consider the ways individuals and communities use and incorporate data to improve their health and well-being. Indicators such as data accessibility, knowledgeable workforce and an innovation-driven economy were some of the topics the ICF considered when making its selection.

One of the Top 7 Intelligent Communities will be recognized by the ICF as the Intelligent Community of the Year for 2018 at the ICF Global Summit in June.
Background information from the ICF website is accessible here: http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/top7

About the Intelligent Community Forum

The Intelligent Community Forum (www.intelligentcommunity.org), headquartered in New York, is a global movement of more than 160 cities, metro regions and counties with a think tank at its heart.

ICF studies and promotes the best practices of the world's Intelligent Communities as they adapt to the new demands and seize the opportunities presented by information and communications technology (ICT). To help cities and regions build prosperous economies, solve social problems and enrich local cultures, the Intelligent Community Forum conducts research, hosts global events, publishes books, and produces its high-profile annual international awards program. The Forum sponsors research Institutes in North America dedicated to the study of the movement, and national organizations in Canada and Taiwan, both home to many Intelligent Communities.

In 2012 ICF was invited to participate at the Nobel Peace Prize conference in Oslo and in 2014, its model and work was recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which, according to the American government, was "aimed at creating a more flexible and responsive system of workforce development to meet the needs of employers looking to fill 21st century jobs.” The Forum’s membership is made up of more than 160 designated Intelligent Communities worldwide.

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