On 30 November, the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona will hold the second edition of the iFest, a Catalunya Emprèn initiative which includes the collaboration of the Barcelona Science Park (PCB). Under the slogan “The young leaders’ interaction festival”, the event aims to become the main festival of technology, science and disruptive innovation for those who represent the future of our society: secondary school, vocational school, university, masters and PhD students. In this edition, over 6,000 young people are expected to participate. They will have the chance to immerse themselves in technology, attend inspiring speeches, get a first-hand look at successful projects and ideas and participate in an innovation workshop organised by the renowned multi-entrepreneur Xavier Verdaguer.

The iFest wants to raise awareness among young people and teachers that society is awaiting their contributions, that they could be more “sophisticated” than they may initially think and that this sophistication may come from science, innovation or technology; disruption in general.

Moreover, the event also aims to involve the future leaders of our society in a movement of exponential challenges and technologies, so that they can apply them to the great challenges faced by humanity. 

This year the iFest will include: the Meet Inspiration, an area which will once again be led by the journalist Lluís Marquina, which will host fifteen short and inspirational speeches on the latest trends in science and technology delivered by frontrunners in this field; the Virtual Discovery, a virtual exhibition of successful projects and ideas organised by Pangea Reality, which shall be accessed through an augmented reality and gamification app; the Teachers Workshop, a workshop dedicated to teachers who will accompany young people (around 2,000); and the Dream BIG Imagine Challenge, the disruptive innovation workshop delivered by multi-entrepreneur Xavier Verdaguer, which was also held in the first edition of iFest, based on team competition in entrepreneurial projects. 

Endorsed in 2012 by the Catalan Autonomous Government, on the initiative of Catalunya Emprèn, the iFest is a programme which seeks to foster entrepreneurial spirit and to promote business culture in Catalonia. The first edition, held on 20 December 2016, brought together more than 2,500 young people, 81 school centres and 309 business teachers and technicians to the Fira de Barcelona venue in Montjuic and the Dome in the Las Arenas shopping centre.
 

►For further information: iFest website [+]