The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is holding an Open Innovation Competition as part of the ITU Telecom World meeting being held in Geneva this October. The two-part competition includes separate sections for Young Innovators (people under 25) and Digital Innovators (geeks and techies) working with NGOs and nonprofits.

May 17th marked the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). To celebrate, we used this year's WTISD theme, "Better Life in Rural Communities with ICTs" to guide our Net2 Think Tank question for May. And wow did you respond! We had some of our best Net2 Think Tank responses to date!

May 17 will mark World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). To celebrate, we're using this year's WTISD theme, "Better Life in Rural Communities with ICTs" to guide our Net2 Think Tank question for May!

For this month's Net2 Think Tank, we're brainstorming ideas for closing the digital divide for people living in rural areas all around the world. How are you bridging the divide and what are your tips for others who are just getting started? Share your projects and ideas with the NetSquared Community!

A great educational opportunity - MA in ICT for sustainable development at the University of London

The ICT for development (ICT4D) programme is a new strand within the established and highly successful Master course in Practising Sustainable Development at the Royal Holloway, University of London. The new Masters tries to balance out the proportions between the research and practice and it is designed for those who want to launch or further their careers as development practitioners or scholars.

Lasa, a nonprofit organization based in London, UK, provides strategic and innovative services to support the provision of expert independent advice to all. This Fall, Lasa celebrates its 25th anniversary of serving and contributing to the informaiton and technology sector.  The team at Lasa have hosted a few events to celebrate their anniversary, showcasing their work and sharing ways individuals and organizations can get support and services or even contribute to the work they do.

Learn more and celebrate with Lasa!

 Gregg Swanson is the Executive Director of HumaniNet, a nonprofit that provides assistance in ICT (information and communications technologies) to the humanitarian community.

A former Air Force officer and fighter pilot, Gregg served for 20 years in line and staff positions with Air Force headquarters, NATO forces, and operational units in Asia and Europe. He has held executive and management positions in several Silicon Valley companies, largely in operations and international programs. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, he has studied in Germany as an Olmsted Scholar and has graduate degrees in international affairs from the American University and in business from Stanford University. Before founding HumaniNet in 2002, Gregg was Director of Technology at Northwest Medical Teams in Portland, Oregon.

You can hear my interview with Gregg at the  Aspiration Tech Nonprofit Software Development Summit on the NetSquared Podcast.

 

Anna Feldman is the Strategic Use Programme Project Developer, at the Association of Progressive Communications (APC). The APC is an international association with a virtual office. Anna is currently working on web conceptualization and planning for GreenNet in the UK, a progressive ISP and founding organization of the APC.

Anna and I talked about the work of the APC at the NetSquared conference.

Check out this cool site, genderIT.org.  They monitor ICT policies that affect women around the world.  You can browse the site by issues that interest you (i.e. education, health, cultural diversity), or by the part of the world that interests you (Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific).  They also have site guides tailored to Beginners and Policy Makers.