[bestbits] Global Connect Call

[Carolina Rossini]

Call information confirmed

December 1st at 9:30amEST

US calls: +1 877-336-1839
All other international calls: +1 636-651-0008

Access Code: 8542435

On Tue, Nov 24, 2015 at 7:29 PM, Carolina Rossini <
carolina.rossini at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>
>


-- 

*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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