Around the world, our 130 chapters and special interest groups work locally, regionally, and globally to keep the Internet a force for good: open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy. Here is an overview of just some of their activities over the last few weeks.
Online Trust and Safety
🇨🇦 Canada Ontario Chapter is using a weekly podcast to enhance digital awareness among low-income, Indigenous, and senior members of its community. The Digital Shield is an educational program that aims to share important information with these groups on how they can strengthen their personal computer knowledge without falling victim to fraud and scams.
🇵🇷 Puerto Rico Chapter appeared on national television to discuss the risks of misinformation, deepfakes, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence in times of geopolitical conflict. The segment highlighted the importance of strengthening digital resilience, media literacy, and responsible information consumption as essential pillars of societal security in complex global environments.
🇸🇴 Somalia Chapter hosted a webinar titled “What Happens to Your Data Online and Why You Should Care.” They organized the webinar as part of Data Privacy Week 2026, a global awareness campaign aimed at helping people understand how personal data is collected, used, and protected online.
We work to help newly connected people have a safer online experience. Learn more.
Connectivity
🇮🇳 India Bengaluru Chapter conducted a Fundamentals of Designing and Deploying Computer Networks (DDCN) faculty development program (FDP) bootcamp at Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM), Bengaluru. The bootcamp promoted hands-on and skill-driven learning to educate, engage, and inspire the next generation of Internet leaders. The chapter plans to train a total of 750 individuals, focusing on engineering students and FDPs, with an aim to expand to rural and remote areas.
🇰🇪 Kenya Chapter has signed an agreement with the Open University of Kenya to promote affordable and reliable access in rural and marginalized communities across Kenya.
🇲🇱 Mali Chapter collaborated with the Internet Society to organize a peering roadshow in Bamako. The event convened Internet service providers, network operators, and policymakers to assess the state of Internet infrastructure and explore pathways to a more affordable, reliable, and resilient Internet in Mali.
🇷🇼 Rwanda Chapter hosted the first-ever Rwanda Peering Day alongside the Rwanda ICT Association (RICTA). Under the theme “Building a Resilient Digital Rwanda Through Local Interconnection,” Internet service providers, network operators, data center operators, policymakers, and tech leaders gathered to address international routing challenges, reduce latency, and strengthen local traffic exchange.
Deepen your understanding of peering, and why peering events can help keep local connectivity reliable and affordable.
Policy and Internet Governance
🇬🇭 Ghana Chapter hosted a town hall event focused on increasing its effectiveness in shaping Ghana’s Internet and policy landscape. As a next step, the chapter plans to establish a small expert working group to review proposed local laws and policies, including Ghana’s new Electronic Transactions Act, which presents potential risks to encryption.
🇮🇹 Italy Chapter celebrated a major milestone by organizing a conference titled “From the First Ping to the Quantum Internet: 40 Years of Internet in Italy.” Held in Pisa, the in-person event gathered 90 attendees to discuss the future of quantum networking with leading scholars, marking four decades since the Internet arrived in the country.
Want to learn more about how to get involved in Internet governance and influence policy in your country? Take our free moderated Internet Governance course.
How the Internet Works
🇺🇸 US San Francisco Bay Area Chapter held AI Day SF, a regular event that captures changes in AI and society. The chapter partnered with the SF Bay Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) to put on a day of training and thought leadership around AI and society.
International Women’s Day
👩👩👧👦 On International Women’s Day, Benin, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, Togo, and Zambia Chapters held local events and webinars focused on empowering women to use the Internet for socioeconomic growth and to stay safe online.
Read our blog celebrating Women Who Connect.
Get involved! Find your local Internet Society chapter or join a special interest group to take action to make global change.
Image © Internet Society Rwanda Chapter, © En La Mañana, © Internet Society India Bengaluru Chapter, © Internet Society Rwanda Chapter, © Internet Society US San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, © Nigeria Chapter