[bestbits] Global Connect Call

[Carolina Rossini]

Hi folks,

Sorry for cross-post, but it is a holiday week in some parts of the world.
So I am in my lazy/slow mode. ;-)  And please, share with your contacts.

*I - What this email is about: PUT IN YOUR CALENDARS *

This is an email to invite you all for a conference call with the US State
Department on the Global Connect Initiative. They reached out to a couple
of CS folks to make themselves available to discuss the initiative with CS
and be available to address any questions any of you might have. *The call
- details still to be confirmed - will be held on December 1st. *Manu
Bhardwaj (bhardwajm at state.gov) is one of the magician who is now moving
forward with the effort and who is the core contact on this, if you need
it.

*II - Global Connect:*

As some of you might know and might actually be engaged with, the Sate
Department launched a cross-agency initiative called Global Connect.  which
will include some events in NY, during the UNGA meeting this December.
Based on the last information I've known of, they already have many
supports and expression of support from countries around the world -
including a bunch in Africa and Asia - and also many of the companies that,
in a way or another, are involved in providing services and products for
access. Over 20 NGOs supported the initiative during its launch, in NY,
including Alliance for Affordable Internet (part of the Web Foundation),
PK, AccessNow and others from the Global South. International
organizations, including the World Bank, are also involved.

Expression of support by Best Bits community -
http://bestbits.net/global-connect-initiative/
<http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://bestbits.net/global-connect-initiative/>

And example of a company's support:
http://www.itic.org/news-events/news-releases/tech-indusetry-releases-statements-lauding-state-department-s-global-connect-initiative
<http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://www.itic.org/news-events/news-releases/tech-industry-releases-statements-lauding-state-department-s-global-connect-initiative>

Launch event webcast:
http://webtv.un.org/watch/development-in-the-digital-age-high-level-panel-discussion/4513663507001
<http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://webtv.un.org/watch/development-in-the-digital-age-high-level-panel-discussion/4513663507001>

*III - Core Principles*

The core principles of this initiative are:

1)   Countries integrate Internet connectivity as a key part of their
national development strategy and budget process and consult with all
stakeholders in doing so;

2) International financial institutions and international development
organizations prioritize digital access, including in the projects they
support;

3)  All stakeholders promote the linkage between the use of technology,
expression, transparency and innovation; and the overall social, economic,
and political benefits reaped from connectivity;

4) All stakeholders promote dialogue and action on how to harness, deploy,
and enable innovative technologies to support quality, affordable and
sustainable connectivity for the unconnected, particularly in
power-deficient communities.

*IV - New York in December *

On December 16th, the US will host a invitation-only event mostly with the
launch partners and some new countries that are joining the initiative. It
seems that, du to the lack of space in the venue they secured, this will
not be a open event. BUT, the State department is interested in hosting a
event with CS that will be in NY for the UNGA meeting. I do not have the
details for now. We all hope to hear more soon. (note - I will NOT be in
NY, but I hope many of you will and will try to check this out).

*V - After New York > Washington in April 2016 *

To advance these goals, the State Department will host a high-level
conference in Washington in mid-April, likely on the margins of the
Bank/Fund Spring meetings, that aims to showcase policies and innovative
public and private approaches to expand global connectivity, to encourage
collaboration among stakeholders to increase Internet availability and
access, and to gather commitments in support of the Global Connect
objectives.

*VI - And *

As soon as I learn more about this, I will be here sharing with you. Other
should feel free to jump in if they have more information.  And feel free
to reach out to Manu directly if you or your organization want to get more
involved.

Best, C

-- 
*Carolina Rossini *
*Vice President, International Policy*
*Public Knowledge*
*http://www.publicknowledge.org/ <http://www.publicknowledge.org/>*
+ 1 6176979389 | skype: carolrossini | @carolinarossini
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