Dubai-based telecom operator du has launched a social media 'Ideathon' on Smart City initiatives in the run-up to the Government Summit 2014.

The initiative is geared towards creating public-driven momentum, gathering ideas in the process, and gathering feedback on the public’s impressions and aspirations for a Smart City and smart government initiatives, said a statement.

The Ideathon will run on du’s social media channels, facebook page and @dutweets, using the hashtag #GovSummit, until the last day of the Government Summit.

The ‘Ideathon’ aims to gather the public’s opinions and aspirations on Smart City, by posing the following questions - what does the term ‘Smart City’ bring to your mind?; what technological innovation you would like to see in the future?; did you use a Smart Government app recently, and what was your favourite feature? how did it impact your life?; and what would boost the level of government services to achieve people’s happiness in your opinion?

Hala Badri, executive VP - Brand and Communications, said: “We believe that human behaviour has influenced the way in which humanity communicates. Digital communications platforms have taken this to the next level, transforming how we communicate today. For any community-driven initiative to be successful, it is imperative that we listen to people, especially the younger generation who represent our tomorrow.

“It therefore gives me great pleasure to announce this Ideathon on social media, which we believe will prove to be a popular medium for anyone in the UAE to come forward and voice their opinions and ideas about Smart City – the way they see it.”

The three-day summit, which begins tomorrow (February 10), will explore current possibilities before governments to make the best out of latest advances in technology, and translate them into efficient services to enhance citizens’ happiness and quality of life.

The event will discuss how governments, as well as private corporations, are devising new ways to use technology to take services to the next level and to create public-private partnerships that generate value for citizens. - TradeArabia News Service