IEEE Hosts Workshop, ‘Internet Inclusion: Global Connect Stakeholders Advancing Solutions,’ to Address Connecting the World’s Unconnected

PISCATAWAY, N.J.--()--IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, today announced a multi-stakeholder workshop, Internet Inclusion: Global Connect Stakeholders Advancing Solutions. The 5-6 October event in Washington, D.C.—organized by the IEEE Internet Initiative in collaboration with Internet Society, People Centered Internet and World Bank Group—will explore technical, financial and policy options and solutions for addressing infrastructure challenges and extending affordable internet access in underdeveloped and underserved communities and regions around the world.

The public is invited to view a live stream of sessions from the workshop.

Internet Inclusion: Global Connect Stakeholders Advancing Solutions will discuss network technical, regulation and build-out acceleration options for connecting the next billions of people. A blend of dynamic, interactive workshops and panels, lightning talks on the status of digital inclusion plans, and regional and thematic roundtables involving dozens of speakers from different disciplines and markets is intended to help participants prioritize next steps and uncover opportunities for extending affordable internet access. An agenda is available. Expected outcomes of Internet Inclusion: Global Connect Stakeholders Advancing Solutions include a roadmap and action plan for coordinated efforts across regions and countries.

“We continue to bring government officials together with leaders from development banks, industry, the technical community, non-governmental organizations and civil-society organizations, to advance internet inclusion,” said Oleg Logvinov, chair of the IEEE Internet Initiative. “There are definitive opportunities to accelerate progress in connecting the estimated 60 percent of the global population who remain unconnected today, and events such as these are crucial to capitalizing on these opportunities because they put key stakeholders from the technology and policy communities in meaningful dialogue with one another.”

In April 2016, more than 150 global policy experts, engineers, scientists, development professionals, industry leaders and others from an array of technology and industry domains gathered in Washington at the initial Global Connect Stakeholders: Advancing Solutions event. A report from that event is available and will inform the continuing discussions. A related event, Internet Inclusion: Advancing Solutions (IIAS) – Delhi, took place 15 September and focused more specifically on the challenges, barriers and opportunities for expanding affordable connectivity in South Asia.

The U.S. Department of State’s Global Connect Initiative seeks to bring an additional 1.5 billion people online by 2020. Launched one year ago, the initiative has highlighted 65 new and existing international connectivity efforts valued at over $20 billion. The initiative seeks to encourage foreign governments to integrate internet connectivity into their development strategies, double public and private funding for international connectivity by 2020, and highlight industry-led efforts to bring the rest of the world online. It also seeks to encourage governments to adopt the right policies to create an enabling environment for growth.

About IEEE Internet Initiative

The IEEE Internet Initiative is a cross-organizational, multi-domain community that connects technologists and policymakers from around the world to foster a better understanding of, and to improve decisions and advance solutions affecting internet governance, cybersecurity, and privacy issues. Learn more at http://internetinitiative.ieee.org and follow @IEEENetPolicy on Twitter.

About IEEE

IEEE is the largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice in a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers, and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. Learn more at http://www.ieee.org.

Quotes from co-organizers of Internet Inclusion: Global Connect Stakeholders Advancing Solutions

Internet Society

“Connecting the world’s unconnected population is a priority in building a digital future. But connectivity alone is not enough; it’s about building an understanding of how to use the internet to open up new opportunities and bring about change in people’s lives,” said Joyce Dogniez, senior director of global engagement, Internet Society. “This human capacity, together with bandwidth, reliability, trust, relevant content, and many other factors, are all ingredients of an internet that can deliver real change. We can unlock this potential for everyone if we work together.”

People Centered Internet

“Connectivity is just the first step. Local and useful content, sustainable business models and affordable pricing for the bulk of the population are all needed as well,” said Vint Cerf, chairman, People Centered Internet. “Our focus at the People Centered Internet is on the humanitarian utility of the internet and its contents and applications: Connect to Thrive.”

U.S. Department of State

“This Global Connect Stakeholders conference is a perfect example of how stakeholders can come together from government and industry to bring those online who might not otherwise be connected,” said Catherine A. Novelli, under secretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, U.S. Department of State. “The State Department commends IEEE and partners for this important step toward bridging the digital divide and supporting the goals of the Global Connect Initiative to help bring an additional 1.5 billion people online by 2020.”

Contacts

IEEE
Lloyd Green, +1 732-465-6664
Director, Engagement Marketing & Creative Community Services
l.g.green@ieee.org

Contacts

IEEE
Lloyd Green, +1 732-465-6664
Director, Engagement Marketing & Creative Community Services
l.g.green@ieee.org