Netexplo Observatory

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Last update:30 November 2022

Netexplo, an independent observatory that studies the impact of digital tech on society and business, is a UNESCO partner since 2011.

It was created in 2007 by Martine Bidegain and Thierry Happe with the support of the French Senate and Ministry of Innovation and the Digital Economy.

The Netexplo Observatory takes a unique, innovative approach to the study of digital society. Through its international spotting network, made up of globally renowned universities in the technology sphere, Netexplo explores the world for new uses of digital tech.

Netexplo: A strategic partner for UNESCO

The Netexplo Observatory addresses these goals by highlighting promising digital initiatives from around the world and fostering the emergence of knowledge societies.

To study digital society and explore the world for new uses of tech, the Netexplo Observatory builds its original approach on an international university network.

This voluntary network is made up of lecturers in tech-related subjects at globally renowned universities. In return for their participation they benefit from Netexplo's work and content. Their students are tasked with spotting the most innovative and promising digital projects worldwide.

Netexplo Forum 2014

The universities in the Netexplo Network are

  • Bezalel Art & Design Academy, Jerusalem (Israel)
  • Columbia University, New York (USA)
  • ESPM, Sao Paolo (Brazil)
  • HEC Paris (France)
  • HEC Montreal (Canada)
  • IHECS Brussels, (Belgium)
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Bangalore (India)
  • Kaist (South Korea)
  • Keio University, Graduate School of Media Design, Tokyo (Japan)
  • MIT Media Lab, Boston (USA)
  • National University of Singapore (Singapore)
  • University of Chile, Santiago (Chile)
  • Cape Town University, Cape Town, (South Africa)
  • University of Technology, Sydney (Australia)
  • Stanford University, California (USA)
  • UTSEUS Shanghai University, Shanghai (China)
  • Oxford University, (United Kingdom)
  • IE Business School, Madrid, (Spain)
  • Jawarwal Nehru University, Delhi, (India)
Netexplo Replay
Award Winners
Netexplo website

Publications

Smart about cities: forging links for the future
Pisani, Francis
UNESCO
Netexplo (France)
2020
UNESCO
0000374324
Smart cities: shaping the society of 2030
Cathelat, Bernard
UNESCO
Netexplo (France)
UNESCO. Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, 2018- (Chakchouk, M.)
UNESCO. Assistant Director-General for Culture, 2018- (Ramirez, Ernesto Ottone)
2019
UNESCO
0000367763