Session
Offline Internet Consortium
James O'Donnell, Offline Internet Consortium and Arizona State University Ann Okerson, Offline Internet Consortium (US) Stéphane Coillet-Matillon (Kiwix) (Switzerland) Maria de Brasdefer, International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA - Netherlands)
James O'Donnell, Offline Internet Consortium and Arizona State University Ann Okerson, Offline Internet Consortium (US) Stéphane Coillet-Matillon (Kiwix) (Switzerland) Maria de Brasdefer, International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA - Netherlands)
Organization's Website
Speakers
Mike Dawson, Ustad Mobile (Dubai)
Stéphane Coillet-Matillon, Kiwix (Switzerland)
James O'Donnell, Arizona State University (USA)
Onsite Moderator
James O'Donnell
Online Moderator
Stéphane Coillet-Matillon
Rapporteur
Maria de Brasdefer
SDGs
1.1
1.5
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
5.1
5.5
5.b
10.2
10.7
16.10
Targets: Access to information that can support sustainable development should be recognized as a fundamental human right. The work of the Offline Internet Consortium and its partners around the world is focused on empowering communities with the information most relevant to them. In politically challenging regimes, bringing information that circumvents network restrictions can be very powerful. In technologically or economically impoverished or remote locations, education is often the first point of support for offline work. The question for this session will be how we can connect this work to the overall propagation of internet access to best effect and what are some strategies for putting this approach to work in places where it will have the greatest impact. (The list of SDGs in our selection here is ambitious, but in fact better information access for challenged communities can support work for literally every SDG.)
1.5
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
5.1
5.5
5.b
10.2
10.7
16.10
Targets: Access to information that can support sustainable development should be recognized as a fundamental human right. The work of the Offline Internet Consortium and its partners around the world is focused on empowering communities with the information most relevant to them. In politically challenging regimes, bringing information that circumvents network restrictions can be very powerful. In technologically or economically impoverished or remote locations, education is often the first point of support for offline work. The question for this session will be how we can connect this work to the overall propagation of internet access to best effect and what are some strategies for putting this approach to work in places where it will have the greatest impact. (The list of SDGs in our selection here is ambitious, but in fact better information access for challenged communities can support work for literally every SDG.)
Format
Classroom
In the first half hour, we anticipate two formal presentations from experienced and successful practitioners, then follow with moderated discussion to clarify the approach and seek input from IGF participants on possible partners, strategies for cooperation, and places where offline work could best be extended.
In the first half hour, we anticipate two formal presentations from experienced and successful practitioners, then follow with moderated discussion to clarify the approach and seek input from IGF participants on possible partners, strategies for cooperation, and places where offline work could best be extended.
Duration (minutes)
60
Description
100% universal broadband connectivity is a goal that continues to elude us, just as universal electrification or universal potable water. This session will explore the range of solutions that start from the ideal of broadband and move into the world of "offline internet". Practitioners of offline internet draw on a range of technologies, from local solar-powered standalone hubs to encrypted satellite downloads to smuggled flash pens, to deliver network quality information to challenged populations (in remote locations, in impoverished communities, in refugee camps post-disaster or post-conflict, in schools in minority language regions, in prisons) as part of a development strategy to bring the benefits of networked information to those who cannot yet count on the network. The session presentations will report on what we know is possible and the networking discussion will concentrate on identifying strategies and partners for advancing the work. The work of the Offline Internet Consortium is presented on the consortium website (https://www.offlineinternet.org) and the concept is described in a 2024 Consortium White Paper "The Power of Offline Internet: Beyond the Binary of Connectivity" (https://www.offlineinternet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/The-Power-of…).
We will ensure that at least several of the members of the Offline Internet Consortium will be online participants from their home locations. The moderator will ask remote participants to identify themselves (Zoom chat or equivalent) if they have particular interest in joining or supporting the work and make sure that they are called on. Once accepted by IGF, we will reach out to some known prospects to target them for remote participation. The goal of that inclusiveness is to give as rich a sense of the offline possibilities as we can.
We will ensure that at least several of the members of the Offline Internet Consortium will be online participants from their home locations. The moderator will ask remote participants to identify themselves (Zoom chat or equivalent) if they have particular interest in joining or supporting the work and make sure that they are called on. Once accepted by IGF, we will reach out to some known prospects to target them for remote participation. The goal of that inclusiveness is to give as rich a sense of the offline possibilities as we can.