Empowering education through connectivity ( Giga – UNICEF and ITU joint initiative)
6 Dec 2023 16:30h - 18:00h UTC
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Carolina Desmeules
IHS Towers, a company operating in emerging markets, has expressed its support for the ITU-UNICEF GIGA initiative. The company shares a mission with the initiative, as they both aim to connect remote areas to the internet. IHS Towers believes that connectivity is crucial for education and economic development.
To support their mission, IHS Towers has sponsored STEM and IT labs in emerging markets and shared tower data to connect schools in remote regions. They are also committed to sustainable development and maximizing the use of their towers. This includes powering remote rural areas with solar and battery power systems, and exploring innovative ideas like adding IT services in recycled shipping containers at tower sites.
IHS Towers emphasizes the importance of corporations sharing data to support government efforts in connecting schools. They have already shared tower data with the Giga team in six countries, contributing to the connectivity of schools in underserved areas.
In addition, IHS Towers prioritizes corporate social responsibility and community development. They have partnered with local universities and technical institutions to establish internship programs, which benefit both the corporations and the local communities. This approach strengthens the corporation’s social license to operate.
The company recognizes the long-term impact of partnerships with tower companies for sustained connectivity. Once towers are built, they remain in place, making partnerships crucial.
Private sector investment in connectivity is influenced by usage rates. IHS Towers acknowledges that operators are more likely to invest in areas where customers are willing to buy data packages.
The company is dedicated to connecting remote villages, as they understand the challenges involved in bridging the digital divide.
Digital literacy is another aspect emphasized by IHS Towers. They emphasize the importance of having the necessary skills to fully utilize internet access.
Continued investment in emerging markets is vital for community growth. IHS Towers encourages thinking creatively and finding innovative ways to invest in these markets, including upskilling local labor forces and encouraging established institutions to establish affiliated universities.
In summary, IHS Towers actively promotes connectivity and digital literacy in emerging markets through their support for the ITU-UNICEF GIGA initiative, sponsorship of STEM and IT labs, data sharing, and sustainable solutions. They prioritize corporate social responsibility, community development, and the nurturing of local talent. Their commitment to these principles contributes to their goal of connecting the unconnected and making a positive impact in these regions.
Dawit Bekele
The Internet Society, a non-profit organisation, advocates for partnerships to improve internet connectivity. They collaborate with technology experts, policy-makers, and organisations involved in capacity building to promote connectivity globally. Their goal is to provide internet access to remote areas using community networks, recognising the self-sufficiency of these communities in solving their own connectivity challenges. However, they also highlight the policy and regulatory obstacles that hinder internet connectivity, particularly in remote regions where both technological and regulatory issues need to be addressed.
Quality education is a major challenge in developing countries like Ethiopia, leading to social instability and limited access to textbooks. With approximately 30 million students in Ethiopia, the lack of quality education results in a large number of unskilled job seekers. Furthermore, students from rural areas often migrate to cities and can be easily influenced by extremist groups, exacerbating social instability. The Internet Society emphasises the significance of enhancing the quality of education for the overall development of these countries.
The distribution of education resources in developing countries, particularly in Ethiopia, is inefficient and challenging. Distributing books to the 30 million students in Ethiopia is a daunting task, especially in rural areas with poor road connectivity. Even after curriculum changes, students still lack access to textbooks, negatively impacting the quality of education. Recent data shows that less than four percent of students in Ethiopia have passed their exams in the last two years, highlighting the inadequacy of education quality.
To address these challenges, the Internet Society proposes leveraging technological advancements in education and providing internet connectivity to remote schools. They argue that connectivity is crucial for ensuring the availability of quality books, which can be made accessible digitally and in a timely manner. However, despite the potential benefits, many schools in developing countries, particularly in remote regions, continue to lack internet connectivity, posing a significant obstacle to achieving quality education.
It is crucial to recognise that internet connectivity for schools should be viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury. Many connectivity projects are often completed without adequate follow-up due to resource limitations or a lack of prioritisation. Internet connectivity should be considered an integral part of a school’s mission. However, many schools cannot afford the operational costs associated with internet connectivity. Therefore, initiatives should come from the community and businesses that can support the necessary infrastructure financially.
The Internet Society emphasises the importance of sustainability, highlighting that countries and communities themselves play a vital role in maintaining connectivity. While efforts like GIGA can provide technological support and create awareness, the initiative to connect schools to the internet should originate from the local communities. Sustainability requires commitment at both the political and community levels, including financial contributions from the communities for connectivity.
The private sector is also encouraged to view supporting connectivity as a corporate social responsibility, as schools produce the human resources that businesses will eventually need. Furthermore, universal service funds, which are often underutilised, can be effectively utilised to connect schools and improve access to education.
Overall, improving the quality of education remains an ongoing challenge, and internet connectivity holds the promise of bridging the educational gap in developing countries. While developing nations may not have the resources to build large physical libraries, the internet provides access to the largest electronic libraries available. Through partnerships, policy reforms, community involvement, and technological advancements, the Internet Society aims to address these challenges and unlock the potential of quality education for all.
H.E. Aurora DÃaz-Rato
Spain has shown a keen interest in the Giga Initiative due to its strong alignment with SDG4, which focuses on quality education. They firmly believe that digital transformation is a crucial tool for achieving inclusive and sustainable development. Spain recognises the value of the Giga Initiative in working towards SDG4 and views digital transformation as a transformative tool in achieving their development goals. This showcases Spain’s proactive attitude and dedication to advancing digitalization for the betterment of society.
Furthermore, Spain greatly appreciates the multilateral and multistakeholder approach of the Giga Initiative. In addition to participating in multilateral efforts at the United Nations and Europe, Spain is actively engaging different actors within their own country. They believe that the involvement of various stakeholders, including the private sector, local communities, and national governments, is essential for successful development. By integrating these actors, Spain aims to foster collaboration and create a comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of all parties involved.
Recognizing the need to bridge the gap in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Spain sees digital tools as an opportunity to leapfrog development. They emphasize the transformative potential of digitalization in accelerating progress towards the SDGs. Spain acknowledges that the current pace of development is insufficient and believes that digitalization can play a vital role in closing this gap.
The choice of Barcelona as the location for the Giga Initiative is considered highly beneficial. Spain highlights the city’s abundance of human capital and vibrant environment as significant advantages. Barcelona’s scientific and private sectors provide ideal conditions for collaboration and innovation, making it an attractive hub for the Giga Initiative.
Spain is also excited about the opportunity for future collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the Giga project, particularly in relation to the Global Refugee Forum. Spain hopes to bring an interesting addition to the Giga project by collaborating with the ITU at this forum. This demonstrates Spain’s enthusiasm for expanding partnerships and exploring new avenues for collaboration within the Giga Initiative.
In conclusion, Spain’s strong interest in the Giga Initiative is driven by its alignment with SDG4 and the belief in digital transformation as a transformative tool for inclusive and sustainable development. Spain’s appreciation for the multilateral and multistakeholder approach of Giga, their recognition of digital tools as a means to leapfrog development, and the benefits of Barcelona as the chosen location, further underline their commitment to achieving their development goals. Spain’s excitement for future collaboration with the ITU in the Giga project reinforces their dedication to innovative partnerships within this initiative.
Saloni Korlimarla
In the last decade, there has been a significant evolution in the perception of internet connectivity as a challenge for schools. It is now widely recognised that internet connectivity plays an essential role in education. This shift in perception has been further highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has necessitated the adoption of remote learning and exposed the digital divide that exists in access to connectivity.
Efforts by organisations such as GIGA, ITU, and UNICEF have been instrumental in connecting schools by collaborating with governments. These partnerships aim to address the connectivity gap by placing it at the top of educational agendas. The success of these partnerships relies on the importance of having a shared vision and a mutual understanding of each other’s strengths and expertise. One notable example is the collaboration between GIGA and IHS Towers, which has resulted in the development of an app that not only provides funding but also offers technical assistance and data. The data provided by IHS Towers is used to calculate the distance of a school from the nearest cell tower and estimate the cost of connecting a school using different technologies.
A key element in ensuring connectivity for schools is the collaboration between the public and private sectors. The approach needs to be multi-sectoral, with both sectors coming together to address the connectivity challenges that cannot be resolved within the classroom itself. GIGA operates as a tech startup within the UN system and leverages technical expertise from ITU and UNICEF. Its existing relationships with governments in various countries enable the quick implementation of innovations.
GIGA has developed an app that provides real-time connectivity updates and can be installed on user devices in schools. This app has been successfully deployed in 5,000 schools in Kazakhstan, covering around 70% of all schools in the country. Additionally, GIGA is actively exploring the development of new products, such as “connectivity credits,” which link government incentives to service provision by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These incentives can encourage telecom companies to invest in remote connectivity, even if they may be hesitant to do so due to financial concerns.
To further stimulate connectivity provision, GIGA is considering the implementation of an investment fund. This fund would aim to provide the necessary financial resources to support connectivity initiatives. The ultimate goal is to incentivise telecom companies and other stakeholders to contribute to the mission of connecting more students and schools to the internet, thus contributing to the achievement of SDG 4 (Quality Education).
In conclusion, the perception of internet connectivity as a challenge for schools has significantly evolved. Efforts by organisations like GIGA, ITU, and UNICEF, in collaboration with governments, have played a crucial role in addressing the digital divide. Successful partnerships, a multi-sectoral approach, and the development of innovative solutions, such as the app developed by GIGA, have shown promising results in connecting schools and improving educational opportunities. However, there is still a long way to go, with 1.3 billion children remaining offline. By incentivising telecom companies and fostering increased partnerships, GIGA aims to connect more students and schools to the internet, making a significant contribution to achieving SDG 4 and ensuring quality education for all.
Alex Wong
The Giga Initiative is a connectivity project that aims to provide universal internet access to schools around the world. It addresses the critical issue of millions of schools lacking internet connectivity, with approximately six million schools in need of being connected. This lack of connectivity affects 500 million students who do not have access to the internet. Furthermore, a staggering 2.6 billion people worldwide are still without any form of internet connection.
The initiative operates by mapping the locations of schools to identify areas that require connectivity. By doing so, Giga can determine the best technology to connect these schools. Through its efforts, Giga helps countries finance and contract for the required connectivity, ensuring that schools have the necessary resources to deliver internet access to their students. This approach enables Giga to make significant progress in bridging the digital divide.
Several examples highlight the successful implementation of Giga’s initiative. In Sierra Leone, Giga has undertaken the mapping of schools to identify areas that lack connectivity. This mapping enables targeted efforts to provide internet access where it is most needed. In Zimbabwe, Giga has employed modeling techniques to assess and determine the most effective technology to deliver connectivity. This approach ensures that the connectivity solutions adopted are the most suitable for each school. In Rwanda, Giga’s involvement has been instrumental in reducing the price of connectivity, thereby making it more accessible to schools and students. By providing pricing information, Giga has helped the government make informed decisions and take actions that positively impact connectivity costs.
To expand its reach and impact, Giga has strategic plans in place. It intends to leverage its Technology Centre in Barcelona and its Geneva headquarters. The Technology Centre in Barcelona will focus on developing open-source products and technologies that facilitate connectivity. This will contribute to the continuous enhancement and improvement of connectivity solutions. The Geneva headquarters will serve as a hub for learning, finance, blockchain, and procurement expertise. These areas of focus highlight Giga’s commitment to the comprehensive approach required to address connectivity challenges.
Overall, the sentiment towards Giga and its initiative is positive. The project’s aim to provide universal internet access through schools demonstrates a commendable commitment to advancing education and bridging the digital divide. Through its mapping and modeling efforts, Giga ensures that connectivity is targeted and effective. By helping countries finance and contract for connectivity, Giga brings tangible solutions to the table. The planned expansion through the Technology Centre in Barcelona and the Geneva headquarters indicates a strategic approach toward scaling up the initiative. Giga’s work holds significant potential for creating a more connected and inclusive world.
Christine Sund
Connecting schools to the internet has the potential to bring significant benefits to the wider community. The internet is a powerful tool that can overcome barriers and challenges that prevent the larger community from accessing online resources. Christine Sund, an advocate for connectivity in schools, believes that this connection allows not only schools but also health centers and community centers to have internet access. By providing these institutions with internet access, they can provide better services to the community and access a wider range of resources that benefit the community as a whole.
Data sharing is also crucial for the growth and development of both corporations and communities. Carolina, for example, has shared over 30,000 tower locations with the Giga team in the past two years, with plans for expansion in South Africa and Brazil. This data sharing not only facilitates the expansion of internet infrastructure but also promotes collaboration and innovation. By sharing valuable information, corporations and communities can work together to achieve common goals and drive progress.
Internship programs play a vital role in helping local communities grow. Carolina, for instance, has implemented operational internship programs in all the countries they work in. These programs have proven effective in hiring and training local talent, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and development of these communities. Christine Sund herself acknowledges the value of internships, particularly for individuals trying to secure their first jobs. She highlights the challenges faced by young people in Africa when it comes to getting their foot in the door, emphasizing the positive impact that internships can have in addressing this issue.
While connecting schools to the internet is essential, sustaining this connectivity after the initial project ends can be challenging. Many connectivity projects fail to be sustained once the initial funding runs out, as school budgets often cannot cover the operational costs of maintaining connectivity. This is where community involvement becomes crucial. Carolina promotes the idea of communities taking the initiative in connectivity with external help. They argue that businesses within these communities are better equipped to sustain the network, ensuring that the benefits of internet connectivity continue to reach schools and the wider community.
In conclusion, connecting schools to the internet has the potential to bring numerous benefits to the wider community. It breaks down barriers to online access and enables other institutions, such as health centers and community centers, to join the digital age. Data sharing fosters growth and collaboration, while internship programs help local communities develop by nurturing local talent. However, community involvement is crucial in sustaining school connectivity beyond the initial project. By working together and taking the initiative, businesses within communities can ensure that the benefits of internet connectivity are enjoyed by all.
Audience
The discussions revolved around the potential of connecting schools as a means to transform the education system and drive economic development. This initiative, known as the Giga initiative, has implemented real-time connectivity monitoring, allowing for immediate follow-ups when schools go offline. This was seen as a positive development that could have a significant impact.
However, it was also noted that the sustainability of connectivity models is crucial for maintaining and maximizing the transformative potential of school connectivity. Further details or evidence to support this stance were not provided, so it remains to be explored how this sustainability can be achieved effectively.
Private sector collaboration was identified as a key factor in successful public-private partnership projects. Specifically, the need for collaboration through procurement or partnerships was highlighted. It was argued that the private sector’s involvement is necessary to drive these projects forward, indicating a positive sentiment towards such collaborations.
The importance of finding innovative solutions and establishing strategic partnerships within the UN system was stressed. There was interest in exploring the potential for long-term projects and partnerships, as well as understanding supply chain levels. This highlights a positive sentiment towards innovation and the need for strategic partnerships.
Cooperation and partnerships between international organizations were commended, with one speaker referring to a project as a “shining example” of such collaboration. This indicates a positive sentiment towards such cooperation and recognizes its value in achieving goals.
Digital literacy was identified as a crucial aspect that needs to be prioritized before connectivity for proper awareness. The relevance and importance of this point were stated, without further elaboration or evidence provided.
Financial literacy was also recognized as an important aspect, although no specific details or evidence were mentioned to support this argument.
The challenges of improving education, especially in Africa, were highlighted. One speaker referenced a significant failure rate in their country’s exam, emphasizing the need for attention and improvement in this area. This reflects a negative sentiment towards the current state of education in Africa.
The need to make those involved in the education system aware of the benefits and their role in its success was stressed. It was noted that keeping the individuals involved aware could address root causes and contribute to a solution. This highlights a positive sentiment towards creating awareness and promoting self-dependency.
Lastly, the roles of the international community, government, and private sector in maintaining the system were emphasized. It was suggested that when certain individuals or entities are absent, there can be negative consequences for the system. This indicates a neutral sentiment, without assigning blame but acknowledging the importance of all stakeholders in maintaining education systems.
In conclusion, the discussions highlighted the potential of connecting schools to transform education and promote economic development. The sustainability of connectivity models, private sector collaboration, strategic partnerships, and innovative solutions were recognized as important factors in achieving these goals. The need for digital and financial literacy, as well as addressing the challenges in education, particularly in Africa, were highlighted. Creating awareness and fostering cooperation between international organizations, the government, and the private sector were also seen as crucial in maintaining the education system.
It is important to note that while some arguments were supported by evidence or specific examples, others lacked further details or evidence. This indicates potential areas for future research or exploration to fully understand the impact and effectiveness of certain initiatives and approaches discussed.
Speakers
AW
Alex Wong
Speech speed
188 words per minute
Speech length
1985 words
Speech time
632 secs
A
Audience
Speech speed
138 words per minute
Speech length
681 words
Speech time
295 secs
CD
Carolina Desmeules
Speech speed
175 words per minute
Speech length
2183 words
Speech time
747 secs
CS
Christine Sund
Speech speed
166 words per minute
Speech length
2575 words
Speech time
931 secs
DB
Dawit Bekele
Speech speed
136 words per minute
Speech length
2503 words
Speech time
1101 secs
HA
H.E. Aurora DÃaz-Rato
Speech speed
163 words per minute
Speech length
621 words
Speech time
228 secs
SK
Saloni Korlimarla
Speech speed
181 words per minute
Speech length
1650 words
Speech time
548 secs
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