<br><br>---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b>Bhardwaj, Manu<span></span></b><br>Date: Monday, September 28, 2015<br>Subject: Launch of "Global Connect"<br>To: "Bhardwaj, Manu"<br><br><br>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Colleagues, <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Sunday, we launched our new diplomatic initiative called “Global Connect” at UNHQ to bring 1.5 additional people online by 2020. For this special event, we were joined by Dr. Jim Kim of the World Bank, the Presidents of Estonia and
Tanzania, senior technology executives and global NGOs. <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A few key highlights ---<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p><u></u><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><u></u>“Global Connect” was affirmatively supported in the formal statements of Jim Kim of the World Bank, the Presidents of Estonia and Tanzania, as well as the international tech companies and NGO leaders present. For example, ITI
released this multi-company press statement supporting “Global Connect” --- <span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:black">
<a href="http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://www.itic.org/news-events/news-releases/tech-industry-releases-statements-lauding-state-department-s-global-connect-initiative" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">news release</span></a> and
<a href="http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://www.itic.org/news-events/techwonk-blog/state-departments-global-connect-initiative-is-critical-step-in-bridging-the-digital-divide" target="_blank">
<span style="color:blue">blog</span></a></span>. In addition, global NGOs released this statement --
<a href="http://bestbits.net/global-connect-initiative/" target="_blank">http://bestbits.net/global-connect-initiative/</a>.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p><u></u><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><u></u>Under Secretary Novelli delivered a statement on behalf of Secretary Kerry, available here –
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><a href="http://www.state.gov/e/rls/rmk/247375.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">http://www.state.gov/e/rls/rmk/247375.htm</span></a></span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p><u></u><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><u></u>Megan Smith, Chief Technology Officer at the White House, attended our “Global Connect” event and delivered a formal intervention at the session.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Sunday, “Global Connect” was also formally supported by statements from MCC CEO Dana Hyde, USAID’s Acting Administrator, and the FCC, among others -- <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p><u></u><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><u></u>CEO Hyde stated: “Information and communication technologies have become a platform for economic growth as fundamental as highways, power grids and universities. MCC proudly supports Global Connect as part of our commitment
to work with our U.S. and international partners to help ensure that people everywhere have access to the world-wide information grid.” <u></u><u></u></p>
<p><u></u><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><u></u>Ambassador Alonso E. Lenhardt, Acting Administrator of USAID stated: "All across the globe, ordinary citizens rely on the Internet for accessing and sharing information, growing businesses, and holding governments accountable.
But today, 4 billion people still cannot access this transformative tool. <span style="color:black">
Building on USAID-supported programs like the Alliance for Affordable Internet and the Global Broadband and Innovations program, we are pro</span>ud to join our colleagues across the U.S. Government in supporting Global Connect. In addition to establishing
a unified vision for accessible digital infrastructure, a coordinated U.S. Government approach will pave the way for wide-ranging partnerships with the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to bring the Internet to all." <u></u><u></u></p>
<p><u></u><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><u></u>The FCC issued the following statement – “We have observed how a free and open Internet can transform economies, nations, communities and individual existence. Access to the Internet is critical to empowering a modern and connected
life, but this vision depends on the real world infrastructure and technology that supports a globally connected world. The FCC joins our counterparts and stakeholders around the world in this important initiative to make Global Connect a success. We look
forward to contributing to the goals of Global Connect through our ongoing capacity building and development initiatives.” <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like more information about our initiative or next steps. Thanks for everyone’s support these past few weeks (and months).
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Full webcast available here -- <a href="http://webtv.un.org/watch/development-in-the-digital-age-high-level-panel-discussion/4513663507001" target="_blank">http://webtv.un.org/watch/development-in-the-digital-age-high-level-panel-discussion/4513663507001</a>.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
Manu <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Manu K. Bhardwaj<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Senior Advisor and Staff Coordinator for IT and Internet Diplomacy Matters
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Office of the Under Secretary <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">U.S. Department of State<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(202) 647-7327<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>A High-Level panel discussion in the margins of the UN Summit on Post-2015 Development Agenda:
<u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Development in the Digital Age<u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sunday 27 September 2015<b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">UNHQ, CR3<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Co-hosted by Estonia, the United States, the World Bank Group and the World Economic Forum, the panel discussion focused on the greater use of digital technologies as a more effective force for development through government initiatives
as well as various private sector actions. The U.S. State Department also announced a new initiative, called “Global Connect,” that aims to bring an additional 1.5 billion people online by 2020 and further extend the economic and social benefits of connectivity
to those who remain without access. <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Ilves of Estonia, President Kim of the World Bank, President Kikwete, NSRC’s Steve Song, and Ericsson CEO Vestberg all expressed support for the Department’s new initiative, first previewed by Secretary Kerry in Korea earlier
this summer.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>H.E. Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia </b>spoke about the rapid digital development of Estonia and the necessity of implementing national legislative policies which create an enabling environment for growth for businesses
and consumers. <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>President Jim Yong Kim, of the World Bank </b>highlighted the importance of ensuring that technological benefits are widely shared due to the impact connectivity has on global economy.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Mr. Kaushik Sabu, Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist of the World Bank
</b>focused on the potential of digital technologies to have a real, humanitarian impact on individual lives.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>H.E. Mr. J.M. Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania
</b>spoke on technological advancements the Tanzanian government has made and how crucial investment in digital technologies is for developing world, highlighting the potential for such technologies to contribute to the “widening and deepening” of good governance
and democracy through open data access. <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ms. Catherine Novelli, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment
</b>spoke on the behalf of the U.S Secretary of State and announced the US initiative “Global Connect,” the aim of which is to bring 1.5 billion people online by 2020 by establishing multifaceted partnerships with all development stakeholders, including national
governments, development agencies, NGOs and the private sector. The initiative has three goals, that 1) all countries integrate Internet connectivity as a key part of their own national development strategies, 2) international development institutions prioritize
digital access – as the World Bank is now doing in their upcoming World Development Report focused on the impact of the Internet and digital technologies; and 3) ensuring that innovative industry-driven solutions to extend connectivity are catalyzed and supported.”
In addition, U/S Novelli stressed how we will bring together governments, development agencies, industry, NGOs and other stakeholders to focus our efforts to bridge the digital divide. In doing this, we recognize that building internet infrastructure is only
one step in digital inclusion. Creating a policy environment that sustains a healthy internet is critical for long-term success. Going forward, she stressed that we intend to partner with interested countries to develop tailor-made strategies to create the
right enabling environments and how these policies will not only spur connectivity, but also entrepreneurship, cross-border information flows and open and competitive marketplaces.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Mr. Steve Song, of the Network Startup Resource Center </b>
is also the founder of Village Telco, a social enterprise that builds low-cost WiFi mesh VoIP technologies to deliver affordable voice and Internet service in underserviced areas, and highlighted the impact fiber network technology has had on the developing
world. <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Mr. Hans Vestberg, CEO of Ericsson, </b>discussed the role of ICT as the “most important enabler” of the 17 SDGs and the policies, priorities and relationships that will be required in order for digital technologies to have a full impact
on the current state of development. CEO Vestberg voiced his support for the State Department’s new diplomatic effort.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<br><br><br>-- <br><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.666666984558105px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><div dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.666666984558105px"><i>Carolina Rossini </i></div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.666666984558105px"><font color="#666666"><i>Vice President, International Policy</i></font></div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.666666984558105px"><b><font color="#666666">Public Knowledge</font></b></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif" color="#0000ff"><span style="font-size:12.666666984558105px"><u><a href="http://www.publicknowledge.org/" target="_blank">http://www.publicknowledge.org/</a></u></span></font><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.666666984558105px"><a value="+16176979389" style="color:rgb(102,102,102)">+ 1 6176979389 | </a><font color="#666666">skype: carolrossini | </font><font color="#0000ff">@carolinarossini</font></div></div></div></div><div><br></div></div></div></div><br>