If we are serious about ICT as an accelerant for social and economic development, and we know that a) women are the key to investments in family health and education, and b) broadband connectivity is a major ICT catalyst for both, then we should be working towards a world where every African woman can have access to broadband Internet.
But what does “broadband” or “access” really mean? And how can we accelerate connectivity? Yes, mobile operators will play a role, as will ISPs, national backbones, sea cable operators, and the private ICT ecosystem. In fact, its a policy, regulatory, financial, and cultural challenge, which will take many actors working together to achieve impact
How do we start? What advice do you have for the technologists? The technocrats? The ICT4D community as a whole? Or the whole US government foreign assistance framework? What levers and leverage can make broadband ubiquitous?
Come to the next Technology Salon for a lively discussion at the intersection of technology and development, boosted with broadband. We’ll be joined by Priya Jaisinghani of USAID, Ann Mei Chang of State via Google, and your peers – so please RSVP early – we will reach capacity fast.
Broadband Access for Africa
March Technology Salon
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
IREX
2121 K Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC (map)
We’ll have hot coffee and Krispe Kreme donuts for a morning rush, but seating is limited at IREX’s headquarters. So RSVP ASAP to be confirmed for attendance – once we reach our 20-person capacity there will be a waitlist.