Connecting the Unconnected: Europe & Beyond

Speakers:

• Avet Poghosyan, Deputy Minister, High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia
  
• Kristine Gyonjyan, Executive Director, Union of Operators of Armenia
  
• Michuki Mwangi, Distinguished Technologist, Internet Growth, Internet Society (Virtual)
  
• Igor Mkrtumyan, President, Internet Society Armenia Chapter

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.

Speakers:

• Zaruhi Stepanyan, Head of International Cooperation division, Public Service Regulatory Commission
  
• Ucha Seturi, Executive Director/CEO, Mtis Satemo Kseli / Mountain Community Network
  
• Mikhail Anisimov, Head of Global Stakeholder Engagement for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, ICANN
  
• Vahan Hovsepyan, External Relations Officer (Caucasus and Central Asia), RIPE NCC
  
• Natalia Mochu, Regional Director, ITU Regional Office for CIS (Virtual)

Participants presenting their ideas on the topic and how they can support the rural areas communities. What is needed?
The discussion will include existing experiences on community development and overcoming the digital barrier after internet access provision in rural communities in different countries, as well as in Armenia, some of the programs implemented by other institutions operating in the field, and knowledge exchange about cooperation opportunities with international and local organizations.
The outcome of the round table will enable:

• Empowerment of communities
  
• Shine a light on the advantages and opportunities provided by the Internet
  
• Solutions to close the gap of the digital divide, including business and educational
  
• Find synergies among participants

Speakers:

• Arman Demirkhanyan, Telecommunication department, Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia
  
• Armen Muradyan, General Director, ARPINET
  
• Georgios Kleisiaris, Sarantaporo.gr Non Profit Organization
  
• Halil İbrahim, Cyber Security Expert and Community Networks Engineer, Internet Society Kyrgyzstan Chapter / Kyrgyz Community Networks
  
• Adrian Wan, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Internet Society
  
• Juan Peirano, Senior Policy Advisor, Internet Society (Virtual)

Speakers:

• Kristine Gyonjyan, Executive Director, Union of Operators of Armenia
  
• Lusine Muradyan, Community Member, teacher
  
• Arshavir Grigoryan, Community Member

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.

Speakers:

• Ucha Seturi, Executive Director/CEO, Mtis Satemo Kseli - Mountain Community Network
  
• Halil İbrahim, Cyber Security Expert and Community Networks Engineer, Internet Society Kyrgyzstan Chapter / Kyrgyz Community Networks
  
• Georgios Kleisiaris, Sarantaporo.gr Non Profit Organization
  
• Igor Mkrtumyan, President, Internet Society Armenia Chapter
  
• Thomas Mazejian, Chief Information Officer, MTS Armenia
  
• Natalia Vicente, Director of Public Affairs, GSOA (Virtual)

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.

Speakers:

• Adrian Wan, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Internet Society
  
• Kristine Gyonjyan, Executive Director, Union of Operators of Armenia

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

Speakers:

• Ucha Seturi, Executive Director/CEO, Mtis Satemo Kseli / Mountain Community Network
  
• Halil İbrahim, Cyber Security Expert and Community Networks Engineer, Internet Society Kyrgyzstan Chapter / Kyrgyz Community Networks
  
• Georgios Kleisiaris, Sarantaporo.gr Non Profit Organization
  
• Adrian Wan, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Internet Society

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

Round table participants coming soon!