Broward County Celebrates Innovation Week, April 15th - 21st
Innovation is part of Broward County's DNA and is evident everywhere – all year-round. During the month of April, however, Broward County and the Broward County Innovation Unit are pausing to recognize the importance of innovation and the role it plays in all agencies, as our County Commission, Administration, agency leaders and staff strive to make our County a better place for all who live, learn, work, and play in Broward County.
Why April? For starters, April 21st was designated as "World Creativity and Innovation Day" by United Nations Resolution 71/284, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2017, acknowledging that innovation is essential for harnessing economic potential and the importance of supporting entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. Today, “World Creativity and Innovation Week," commencing on the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, on April 15th, and running through April 21st, is now recognized across the global community, spanning more than 50 countries. In addition, both Microsoft Corporation and Apple Computer were founded in the month of April in 1975 and 1976, respectively. NASA launched the Mars Odyssey in 2001.
And in April 2024, Broward County launched its first-ever Citizen Data Portal. The Citizen Data Portal is a gateway into open data, establishing a single point of access for anyone seeking to learn more about their community and government, thereby aligning with the Broward County Goal Theme of "Accountable Government: Committed to providing an open government that is transparent and accessible to the public."
Broward County's commitment to, and investment in Innovation is wide-reaching and long-standing, as evidenced by the creation of The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation, housed in the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and IT Center at NSU, where it serves as a public-private partnership between Nova Southeastern University and Broward County, "acting as an economic and education development engine linking the South Florida innovation ecosystem."
In Broward County, "Innovation is Everywhere," as leaders recognize that building a culture of Innovation within government is not just an option – it's a necessity. It is a vital tool that can help governments create a better future for citizens by improving performance, addressing complex challenges, remaining competitive, and fostering economic growth and job creation, whether through the use of drones to rapidly visualize and assess our changing environment, increasing citizen engagement with technology and the use of public portals, or creating a shared access point across all municipalities which links city and County permitting for the public. In 2023, The National Association of Counties (NACo) recognized Broward County agencies with a record 17 NACo Achievement Awards for innovation in local government, and more are likely yet to come in 2024.
The Broward County Innovation Unit was established in 2020, with the mandate to support County agencies by identifying, analyzing, and implementing innovative business intelligence and technology solutions to effectively inform decision-making, address agency challenges, and provide more effective and efficient service to the residents of Broward County. With collaborative projects like the Citizen Data Portal, the Innovation Unit continues to partner with agencies in their quest to improve processes, decision-making, and the services provided to the residents, businesses, and visitors of Broward County.
