This week, the "European Conference on Information Systems" is being held at the Western University of Timișoara ECIS 2022, which will bring together 370 researchers in the field of information systems from European countries and beyond, be they reputable professors or young doctoral students. This prestigious conference, held under the auspices of the Association for Information Systems (AIS), now in its 30th edition, is only the second time it has been organized in Eastern Europe, after the one organized in Gdańsk in 2002 in Poland.

The official opening of the event will take place on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, starting at 9 a.m., at the Western University of Timișoara. The management of this prestigious conference is provided by: Roman Beck (IT University of Copenhagen), Dana Petcu, dean FMI (West University of Timi;oara) and Marin Fotache (University of "Al. I. Cuza" Iași). Scientific and public figures who have confirmed attendance at the ECIS 2022 opening event include Sabine Matook (University of Queensland), Nancy Pouloudi (University of Economics and Business Athens), Wynne Chin (University of Houston), and from the leadership team of UVT will be attended by Cosmin Enache, vice-chancellor responsible for the financial and digitalization strategy.

The theme of the conference being a complex one, the program takes place over five days, between June 20 and 25, 2022, in the format specific to conferences of this caliber, sponsored by AIS: preliminary workshops, 25 parallel thematic sections, panels and other specific meetings. It should also be mentioned the prior organization, during June 18-21, of a special section dedicated to young doctoral students (Doctoral Consortium), located in the wonderful setting of the Banat mountain, in Sasca Montană.

UVT rector, Marilen Gabriel Pirtea: "Timișoara is the city of premieres, which makes it even more interesting for the premiere of the prestigious ECIS organization in Romania. By organizing this prestigious event, the Western University of Timișoara offers a framework for the meeting of researchers in the field of information systems from European countries, as well as from all over the world, in a unique and memorable experience."

Digitization is already changing Europe and the whole world. The strategic decisions we make today will influence opportunity, prosperity, human well-being and sustainability in the future. Will countries work together to embrace these opportunities, or will they let this chance pass? Overcoming historical divisions and acting in united solidarity in a prosperous Europe is the only way, according to the ECIS 2022 participants.

As digital leaders, information systems researchers have a key role to play and a responsibility to act as an engine for the digital transition to happen at a pace fast enough for Europe to remain competitive, in a rapidly digitizing world. Digitization in united societies means bringing people together, having a better life and a prosperous future. Together we can build collectively inclusive, innovative societies capable of adapting to the massive societal challenges of the 21st century, and this set of values ​​is also considered essential for the current edition of ECIS, from Timișoara.