Welcome to Vienna

It is a great pleasure to welcome the global community of the WSA Global Congress to our city. From 19 to 22 May, our city becomes a meeting place for social entrepreneurs, innovative start-ups, policymakers, researchers and civil society representatives from more than 80 countries. As one of the United Nations headquarters cities, Vienna has long stood for international dialogue, cooperation and the conviction that technological progress must go hand in hand with social responsibility.

Digitalization is transforming our societies at remarkable speed. In Vienna, we follow a clear guiding principle: digital transformation must be fair, secure, and human-centered. Technology is not an end in itself. It must serve people, strengthen social cohesion, and based on humanistic values. This approach also shapes our ambition to position Vienna as a leading location for innovation and future technologies with social handwriting.

This year’s congress theme, Scaling Digital Solutions. For People & Planet, resonates deeply with Vienna’s vision. For us, scaling innovation does not simply mean growth in numbers or markets. It means expanding impact, ensuring that digital solutions contribute to social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and equal opportunities. It means aligning technological progress with climate responsibility, ethical standards and the everyday needs of citizens.

Innovation must be inclusive. Digital progress should bridge divides, not deepen them. This requires equal access to infrastructure and digital skills, strong data protection, transparency and cybersecurity, as well as a clear commitment to human rights and democratic values. Only innovation that is trusted and responsible can succeed in the long term.

The WSA Global Congress powerfully demonstrates this approach. This year, 45 internationally awarded WSA winning projects come to Vienna to present concrete digital solutions that address real societal challenges. The congress is not only a place for inspiration, but a platform for cooperation, exchange and learning – connecting global best practices with Austrian actors from business, research, public administration and civil society.

I, personally and on behalf of the City of Vienna, warmly welcome you to this global exchange and look forward to shaping a digital future together, one that truly works for people and planet.

Barbara Novak
Vice-Mayor of Vienna
Executive City Councillor for Finance, Business, Labour, International Affairs and Digital Innovation