The Forgotten Community: Understanding how broadband access and digital inclusion are critical components to successfully revitalize struggling communities around the world.

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[ UUID ] aa36632c-41c1-48bc-8b19-9e1bd9063362

[ Session Name ] The Forgotten Community: Understanding how broadband access and digital inclusion are critical components to successfully revitalize struggling communities around the world. [ Primary Space ] Digital Inclusion [ Secondary Space ] Web Literacy

[ Submitter's Name ] Amina Fazlullah [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] Mozilla

[ Additional facilitators ] Angela Siefer,Raphael Leung,

What will happen in your session?

Everyday, we see news coverage of rural and urban communities in distress: loss of local industry, declining populations, “brain drain” to more affluent communities, substandard educational opportunities, and limited access healthcare, among other problems. Government officials understand that investment in broadband infrastructure and digital inclusion have the potential to bring economic, educational, and civic benefits to these communities, however, most governments don’t fully fund broadband access or digital inclusion programs. Our session will explore how some communities in distress have increased their access to broadband and digital inclusion. We will provide a forum for discussion of how this has positively impacted their population and helped to address some of the underlying problems in these communities.

What is the goal or outcome of your session?

Participants of this session will explore of the connection between broadband access and broader social outcomes. They will also discuss some of the strategies communities have used to increase access to broadband (Pittsburgh US, Chattanooga US) and maximize the impact of their broadband investments through effective digital inclusion programs (Kansas City US, Belo Horizante Brazil)

If your session requires additional materials or electronic equipment, please outline your needs.

Flip chart paper (2 charts and easels) Markers Chairs (to pull into discussion circles)

Time needed

90 mins

[kenyatta1]

This proposal has progressed to our next phase of deliberation! We will be following up shortly.

[msaunby]

Any chance this could also address broadband in Europe (or just UK) not only North America?

[hannahkane]

Congratulations! We are very happy to announce that we have accepted your session at the festival this year! We will be in touch with additional information in the coming weeks.