In Barcelona today

The one-day conference is set up as “a series of on-stage conversations with internationally renowned thinkers in many fields whose “disruptive” ideas and actions challenge convention, break current paradigms, and inspire positive changes in the larger world. Unlike traditional conferences, the Art Center Global Dialogues pair these speakers with influential media figures—including highly regarded editors, publishers, and reporters—in vital exchanges that encourage the development of new ideas.”

Invited by mobile services strategist and fellow Belgian Rudy Dewaele and intrigued by the reputation of the organisers (The Art Center College of Design and the ESADE Business School), I decided to attend, curious to hear what the participants have to say about six influential areas in our daily lives: climate change, geopolitics, business, science, belief and design.

To make this event a truly global conversation, the organisers have set up a live video stream (with the possibility to interact with the audience through a live chat); a twitter stream for live questions and live micro blogging from the conference; and a Flickr group for people to send their pictures during (and after) the event.