[IRPCoalition] TIME TO SING ON - NOTE - NEW INITIATIVE - GLOBAL CONNECT

Thu Sep 24 17:53:46 EEST 2015

Hi everybody,

(sorry for cross-posting, but time is short)

The US, with support from a series of other countries, are launching a new
initiative to spur access to internet called Global Connect. With the help
of some from here we have written a statement that will soon be put up for
signatures at the Best Bits platform.

You can read it here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q4QTeD0Ejl-yRK0GUke4vNBqx42n6E82yyyvdnTa1vE/edit?usp=sharing

And if you are willing, you are welcome to sign on there. I can later move
your signature to the BB platform.

I kindly ask you to take a look at it and decide if your organization can
support it. I will send to the Department of State tomorrow and a couple of
folks who will be present in the launch this Sunday will present it during
the audience participation time of the event.

Here a short press-release PK published yesterday:
https://www.publicknowledge.org/press-release/public-knowledge-welcomes-state-department-initiative-to-expand-broadband-deployment-to-the-world

If you are based in NY and want to go to the event, see details for RSVP
below.

More details below.

Best, Carolina

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

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bhardwaj, Manu
Date: Sun, Sep 20, 2015 at 9:26 AM
Subject: RE: Secretary Kerry's remarks today on global internet connectivity
To: Ann Mei Chang

Friends and colleagues:

We are pleased to invite you to a high-level panel discussion on *Development
in the Digital Age* co-hosted by Estonia, the USA and the World Bank Group
on September 27th at 11 AM in UNHQ.   At this special event, we will be
joined by the Presidents of Estonia, Tanzania and the World Bank, among
other foreign ministers and dignitaries.

The format will be a panel discussion. During the question-and-answer
session, we would welcome any interested representatives to deliver a
statement on the benefits of broadband as fundamental infrastructure and
vital for the international development agenda.  This event will be open to
the press.  Attached is the Save-the-Date for the event and full concept
note.

Next week, we look forward to unveiling more details about our new
diplomatic initiative first previewed by the Secretary of State in Korea
earlier this summer.   Space is limited, please RSVP to tmadsen at mfa.ee as
soon as possible.

Pleased with the building momentum to help catalyze action in closing the
digital divide and extend the economic and social benefits of connectivity
to everyone.

Thanks,

Manu (Snr. Political Advisor, Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment,
State) and Ann Mei (Executive Director, Global Development Lab, USAID)

*“So looking to the future, we have to respond to this demand for openness
and opportunity by making steady progress toward closing the digital
divide. And with that goal in mind, the United States State Department will
soon launch a new diplomatic initiative – in combination with partner
countries, development banks, engineers, and industry leaders – and we’re
going to do just that: try to make it more available.”*   --  Secretary
Kerry in Korea on May 18,2015

*From:* Ann Mei Chang [mailto:annmei at usaid.gov]
*Sent:* Monday, May 18, 2015 4:33 PM
*Cc:* Bhardwaj, Manu
*Subject:* Secretary Kerry's remarks today on global internet connectivity

We are excited about the Secretary Kerry's remarks in Korea
<http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/05/242553.htm> today that
highlight the State Department's and USAID's commitment to global
connectivity.  As the Secretary said, looking to the future, we have to
make steady progress towards Internet freedom and closing the digital
divide.  With that goal in mind, the United States will soon be launching a
new diplomatic initiative - in combination with friends, regional
development banks, and industry leaders - to do just that.

In the coming weeks, the State Department and USAID will be reaching out to
all of you to explore areas for partnership as we develop this new
connectivity initiative. We are actively exploring opportunities to improve
connectivity health information systems in West Africa (in the recovery
from Ebola), digital financial systems in India, and internet access and
usage across the world. Please don't hesitate to contact my team at the
Global Development Lab or Manu Bhardwaj, the State Department's Senior
Advisor and Staff Coordinator for IT and Internet Diplomacy Matters, copied
here.

Best,

Ann Mei (USAID/Lab) and Manu (State/Economic Growth, Energy, and the
Environment)

--

Ann Mei Chang | Executive Director

U.S. Global Development Lab l USAID

*www.usaid.gov/GlobalDevLab <http://www.usaid.gov/GlobalDevLab>*

Twitter: @annmei <https://twitter.com/annmei>

-- 

*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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