The Internet Society’s story has been 25 years in the making.
The foundation for a global community of people dedicated to bringing the Internet to everyone started in 1992. We have come a long way since then, and today our mission has never been more important or challenging.
This milestone year presents a unique opportunity for us all to reflect on our rich heritage, and to consider how we can impact the Internet for the next 25 years. Our community has a critical role in guiding the decisions that must now be taken for the future Internet in today’s rapidly changing world.
This September, to commemorate the Internet Society’s 25th anniversary, we’d like you to join in a series of global celebrations to inspire the world to take action in shaping tomorrow and in ensuring that the Internet remains a positive force for future generations. We will honor innovators and visionaries who advanced the early Internet at our 2017 Internet Hall of Fame ceremony. We will also recognize 25 under 25 next generation leaders who are using the Internet to make a difference for their communities and beyond.
After 18 months of research, we will launch The 2017 Internet Society Global Internet Report: Paths to our Digital Future. This glimpse into the future explores perspectives from across our global community on the key forces driving change on the Internet. The report provides an actionable set of recommendations to encourage our community, stakeholders, and influencers toward positive actions in keeping the Internet open, global and secure.
Our global membership meeting, InterCommunity 2017, will serve as the cornerstone of our 25th celebration. The Global Internet Report will set the stage for a truly global discussion on the critical factors that will shape the future Internet and prepare us for the next set of challenges. I encourage you to join online or in person at one of the more than 70 interactive and celebration nodes around the world. InterCommunity begins on September 19 at 00:30 UTC. For more information visit the InterCommunity website.
In conjunction with InterCommunity, and as part of our continuing work to build our organization’s presence and visibility, we will also be launching an external campaign aimed at raising awareness of the Internet Society around the world and of the work we do to shape the future of the Internet. The campaign will feature members of our global community as Everyday Heroes whose actions have a powerful impact on tomorrow’s Internet.
This is an exciting time to tell our story. We are investing in our mission and our global community to build a stronger Internet Society for the future.
Let’s join together on this special occasion to #ShapeTomorrow and celebrate our work for #thenext25.