A central feature of ICF's Community Accelerator is the Master Class. Summit 15 will feature two Master Classes, one focusing on how large urban areas are making the transition from being "smart cities" into Intelligent Communities, the other on the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural communities and regions. These two classes will be taking place on Community Accelerator Day on June 10.
Keynote Address (Both Classes): Governor General David Johnston
David Johnston began his professional career as an assistant professor in the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University in 1966, moving to the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law in 1968. He became dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario in 1974. In 1979, he was named principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University, and in July 1994, he returned to teaching as a full-time professor in the McGill Faculty of Law. In June 1999, he became the fifth president of the University of Waterloo
Mr. Johnston has served on many provincial and federal task forces and committees, and has also served on the boards of a number of public companies. He was president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and of the Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec. He was the founding chair of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy and chaired the federal government’s Information Highway Advisory Council.
His academic specializations include securities regulation, information technology and corporate law. Mr. Johnston holds an LL.B. from Queen’s University (1966); an LL.B. from the University of Cambridge (1965); and an AB from Harvard University (1963). While at Harvard, he was twice selected for the All-American hockey team and was named to Harvard’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He was the first non-American to chair Harvard’s Board of Overseers.
He is the author or co-author of 24 books including new editions, holds honorary doctorates from over 20 universities and is a Companion of the Order of Canada.
He was born in Sudbury, Ontario, and is married to Sharon Johnston. They have five daughters and 11 grandchildren.
Sworn in on October 1, 2010, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston is the 28th governor general since Confederation.
The Urban Master Class: Intelligent Communities and the Gigabit Future
Taught by ICF Co-Founder Robert Bell. Will gigabit broadband – and the applications and industries it sparks – be the next competitive advantage for big cities and major metro areas? Featured speakers include:
- Lev Gonick, CEO, OneCommunity, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Harout Chitilian, Vice President, Executive Committee, City of Montreal
- Joep Brouwers, Vice Director, Brainport Development, Eindhoven
- Dr. Julia Glidden, President, 21c Consultancy
- Michael Thompson, Councillor, City of Toronto
- Simon Farbrother, City Manager, City of Edmonton
- Herman Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Cyberport
- Shyam Khandekar, Architect, Urban Designer, Publisher of MyLiveableCity
The Rural Master Class: Creating the New Connected Countryside
Taught by ICF Senior Fellow Norm Jacknis. How can rural cities and regions use broadband information technology to level the economic playing field and restore vitality to their communities? Featured speakers include:
- Rob McCann, President, Clearcable Networks
- Mayor Eddie Fulton, City of Quitman, Mississippi, USA
- Mayor Rod Shaigec, Parkland County, Alberta Canada
- Joshua Seideman, Director of Policy, NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association
- Bryan Hisel, Executive Director, Mitchell Area Development Corporation, SD, USA
- Dr. Roberto Gallardo, Founder, Mississippi Extension Service, Intelligent Community Institute
- Dr. Nicos Komnios, Professor of Urban Development and Innovation Policy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Mayor Dan Mathieson, City of Stratford, ON, Canada
- David Brunnen, Managing Editor, Groupe Intellex, UK; Partner, NextGen UK
More information about the Community Accelerator Day can be found on the Summit Agenda page.
Prepare your city, county or region to become an
INTELLIGENT COMMUNITY
at the ICF Summit!