Connecting the Unconnected: Europe & Beyond

Day 1: 6 June 2023

Panel Sessions
(all times are in local Armenia time, UTC+4)

09:30 – 10:00

Registration and Welcome Coffee

10:00 – 10:15

Opening Remarks

Speakers:

  • Avet Poghosyan, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia

  • Michuki Mwangi, Internet Society (Virtual)

  • Kristine Gyonjyan, Union of Operators of Armenia
10:15 – 10:30

Keynotes

Avet Poghosyan, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia
10:30 – 12:00

Panel Discussion 1: Enabling Policy Environments to Foster Connectivity

Enabling policy environments key to achieve Universal connectivity. This panel will focus on policy efforts and regulatory frameworks that allow complementary access and networking solutions, such as Community Networks to thrive. Expert panelist will exchange experience, good practices and enabling policies from the region and around the world.

Moderator: David Frautschy, Internet Society

Speakers:

  • Avet Poghosyan, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia
    Telecommunication department Public Services Regulatory Committee

  • Ucha Seturi, Mtis Satemo Kseli - Mountain Community Network

  • Mikhail Anisimov, ICANN

  • Vahan Hovsepyan, RIPE NCC

  • Natalia Mochu, Regional Director of the ITU Regional Office for CIS (Virtual)
12:00 – 12:30

Coffee Break

12:30 – 13:30

Panel Discussion 2: Innovative Financing Mechanisms and Solutions

We are 6.5 years away from the milestone proposed by the United Nation, it is clear that traditional business mechanisms and solutions to connect the hardest places, both un-served and underserved, are not enough. In this panel, experts will focus on which innovative financial mechanism could we create and use to unlock the funding necessary to connect the unconnected.

Moderator: Kristine Gyonjyan, Union of Operators of Armenia

Speakers:

  • Armen Muradyan, General Director ARPINET
  • George Klissiaris, Board Member & Administrator, Sarantaporo.gr

  • Halil İbrahim, Internet Society Kyrgyz Chapter / Kyrgyz Community Networks

  • Adrian Wan, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Internet Society

  • Jane Coffin, Connect Humanity (Virtual)
13:30 – 14:30

Lunch Break

14:30 – 15:00

Local Success Story

15:00 – 16:30

Panel 3: Technical Challenges and Opportunities

With still a third of the global population still unconnected. All over the world, including in Armenia, people are coming together to build and maintain their own Internet connections by setting up municipal and community networks, cooperatives, and other complementary access solutions. They are connecting the unconnected.

Moderator: Adrian Wan, Internet Society

Speakers:

  • Ucha Seturi, Mtis Satemo Kseli - Mountain Community Network

  • Halil İbrahim, Kyrgyzstan Community Networks

  • George Klissiaris, Board Member & Administrator, Sarantaporo.gr

  • Igor Mkrtumyan, President Internet Society Armenia Chapter

  • Thomas Mazejian, MTS Armenia

  • Natalia Vicente, Director of Public Affairs, GSOA (Virtual)
16:30 – 17:00

Recognition of Community Network Champions

We are at our very best when we can connect--to schools, to jobs, to opportunity, and to each other. The Internet makes this possible. Please join us in celebrate the champions around the region that make it possible.

Day 2 : 7 June 2023

Round Table: How to Empower the Rural Areas Communities
(all times are in local Armenia time, UTC+4)

10:00 – 11:00

Registration

11:00 – 11:15

Opening Remarks

Speakers:

  • Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia

  • Adrian Wan, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Internet Society

  • Kristine Gyonjyan, Union of Operators of Armenia
11:15 – 12:30

Session 1: Internet Access as a Key to Community Empowerment

Community network leads presenting their approaches in empowering rural areas communities for using the Internet in meaningful way.

Speakers:

  • Ucha Seturi, Mtis Satemo Kseli - Mountain Community Network

  • Halil İbrahim, Kyrgyzstan Community Networks

  • George Klissiaris, Board Member & Administrator, Sarantaporo.gr

  • Adrian Wan, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Internet Society
12:30 – 12:45

Coffee Break

12:45 – 14:00

Session 2: Internet Access as a Key to Community Empowerment

Participants presenting their ideas on the topic and how they can support the rural areas communities. What is needed?

Moderator: Kristine Gyonjyan, Union of Operators of Armenia

Round table participants coming soon!
Date and Time

Tuesday 06 June 2023 –

Wednesday 07 June 2023

Location

Armenia Marriott Hotel - Ararat Hall