This event is free and online and an easy way to experience NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Week…

The N50 Project is an official affiliate of NDIA (National Digital Inclusion Alliance) and is participating in NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Week, which is an annual week of awareness, recognition, and celebration. We are one of many organizations and individuals across the country hosting special events and campaigns to promote digital equity in their communities and we are proud to share a special 2-day Thought Leadership Forum on Digital Inclusion.

Thursday October 6th will feature sessions open to the public which will include an overview of N50 and how to join our efforts.

And the agenda…

Thought Leadership Forum Agenda (Times in PST)

DAY 1: Thursday, October 6 – Open to the Public

7:50am                  Forum Opens

8:00am-8:45am     Breakfast Briefing: Digital Inclusion – Finding Strength in Numbers

“Digital Equity” and “Inclusion” are easy to say, but hard to do. Partnerships that draw upon the expertise of multiple stakeholders – and incentives – are essential to achieve scale. As opportunities for digital-equity projects escalate, what are key considerations when planning for partner-driven impact? 

Hosted by Dr. Erin Bown-Anderson, Director of Community Innovation, Geeks Without Frontier & N50 Project Team

8:50am-9:00am      Welcome & Opening of the Thought Leadership Forum

9:00am-9:30am      Corporate Innovations and Global Impact

9:30am-10:30am    Stakeholder Roundtable: Digital Inclusivity in the Tribal Context

This session will provide a digital-inclusion case study that draws upon local community perspectives from tribes in the Eastern Sierra Nevada region. From tribal leadership to anchor institutions, and from IT support to a community school teacher, members of the Paiute and Shoshone tribes will discuss key considerations for stakeholders at every level of the digital-inclusion ecosystem.

Speakers: Jesse Archer, NumuNetworks; Phil Fowler, President, Nu Communications; Janet Hansen, Chairperson, Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone Tribe

Moderator: Travis Heneveld, Director of Connectivity Solutions, Geeks Without Frontiers & N50 Project Team

Speakers: Paul Holland, Managing Director and VC-in-Residence, Mach 49

Moderator: David Hartshorn, CEO, Geeks Without Frontiers & Board Advisor Member, N50

10:30am-10:45am  Wellness & Feedback Break

10:45am-11:45am  Africa Case Study: Resourcing Digital Inclusion Programs – Leveraging Community Assets                                 for Sustainability

The resources required to achieve digital inclusivity are as varied as the communities for which they are intended: Multilateral funding, private and programmatic assets, disposable income, in-kind systems, services and subject-matter expertise, government subsidies, and more. Drawing on lessons learned from a project in the Zambian village of Luumbo, this session will explore how resources can be leveraged to address digital-inclusivity challenges for marginalized communities… sustainably.

Speakers: Ian McFadyen, CEO, Mwabu; James Phiri, CEO, Virtual Doctors; Prakash Advani, Co-Founder & CEO, picoNETS

Moderator: David Hartshorn, CEO, Geeks Without Frontiers & Board Advisor Member, N50

11:45am-12:45pm  Roundtable: Off-Grid Inclusion – The Collective Quest for Solutions

Sustainability strategies for off-grid digital inclusion have traditionally been few and far between. This roundtable will explore the best (and worst) practices where digital stakeholders have been pushing the envelope to reach new “customers” at the edge. Can innovative strategies enable Digital Inclusion that is high impact and durable? These front-line experts will provide answers.  

Speakers: Evan Buck, Business Development + Strategy, Prepaid Internet, Viasat; Patrick Schultz, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Vanu

Moderators: Michael Potter & John Morris, Executive Directors & Co-Founders , Geeks Without Frontiers & N50 Project Team

12:45pm-1:45pm    Digital Inclusion in Disaster Resilience and Response

1:45pm                   Day 1 Forum Closes

Due to the recent natural disasters across the globe, the relevance and importance of considering digital inclusion through a disaster resilience and responsiveness lens is paramount. During this discussion, speakers will engage in conversation around current issues impacting Pakistan, Puerto Rico and other hurricane affected regions in the US.All attendees will be able to participate in this open-forum discussion on digital inclusion and how to drive sustainability in community and much more.

Speakers: Jose Luis Rodriguez, CPR; Ali Ahktar, Head of Business Unit, Telecoms & Defense, Supernet, Limited; Joe Simmons, Director of Tech Innovations, Geeks Without Frontiers & N50 Project Team

Moderator: David Hartshorn, CEO, Geeks Without Frontiers & Board Advisor Member, N50

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