Serge ORMAUX, Full professor of Geography, Université de Franche-Comté, France
Hello everyone and welcome to the 13th Annual Conference of Territorial Intelligence “Progress and Prospects of Territorial Intelligence” that will allow to take stock of the developments and prospects of Territorial Intelligence.
This conference is also the last of the GDRI INTI, and probably the first of a new adventure because I do not doubt that our network is particularly resilient.
I welcome on behalf of the University of Franche-Comté I represent, all those who for years contribute to the vitality of the network in general, and in particular to the GDRI, whether academic researchers, territorial innovators, initiators of new sectors of sustainable development, territory project developers, communities companions in search of land appropriation, sometimes all of that at once, and in any case always in this dialogue and the exchange of glances, erected in working method.
I would also like to salute those who have joined the network recently or are about to do it and they complain that the network is not a closed club but a living entity that needs their contributions, their astonishment, their criticism of their proposals.
I have no doubt that these two days will, as always, very fruitful; the fact that we are welcomed at the CNAM already seems highly symbolic of our approach to the territorial issue within the network, combining culture and science, knowledge and action, inheritance and innovation.
Good conference to all, good stay in Paris for our friends from abroad and may this 13th international meeting be your first Christmas gift 2014.