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Community Networks 10 October 2017

Partnerships to Connect the World

By Sebastian BellagambaVice President, External and Community Engagement

Today the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union Houlin Zhao opened the World Communication Development Conference (WTDC) with a critical message: Partnerships make things happen.

The Internet Society is at the WTDC this week, and our ask is clear. We’re urging the 100+ Ministers attending to implement policies on infrastructure and digital skills that enable connectivity for thousands of communities around the world.

But turning that ambition into action won’t happen if we do not work together.

Today we are pleased to announce that the Internet Society and Argentina’s National Communications Agency (ENACOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in supporting community networks in Argentina.

It’s an exciting moment for everyone who believes that the Internet brings limitless opportunities for good.

If you believe that closing the digital divide is critical, community networks are something everyone can support. These are networks built in communities, by communities, and through partnerships with a variety of stakeholders.  They are a compliment to traditional models for access and are something you can promote, donate to, or even build yourself.

The agreement stands as an excellent example to other governments on how working together can help bring connectivity to some of the world’s hardest to reach places.

If you would like to stand for a connected world, join us. It will take new thinking, new business models, and new partnerships

If we’re serious about bringing the Internet to the world — and we are — it’s going to take all of us.

Disclaimer: Viewpoints expressed in this post are those of the author and may or may not reflect official Internet Society positions.

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