IGF 2024 Open Forum #43 Community Network in Rural Education, Health & Agriculture

    Theater
    Duration (minutes): 90
    Format description: The suggested framework for the sessions effectively lowers obstacles to participation and improves the unrestricted flow of communication. The atmosphere created by the format primarily involves the audience, speakers, moderators, presenters, and facilitators. This type of format works best when it's planned for a medium to large audience. To give us adequate time to address the session themes, we are proposing a 90-minute session.

    Description

    Rural areas have long been deprived of the advancements in telecommunication and technology that their urban counterparts have benefitted from. However, with the growing need for connectivity, it is imperative to explore rural community network and electricity strategies that can unlock opportunities and drive rural development in Africa.

    The Internet has become an indispensable aspect of daily life. It gives people access to communication, education, entertainment, and information. Not everyone, especially those who reside in remote areas, can access the Internet. Rural populations may suffer greatly from a lack of internet access, as they may have less access to vital services like healthcare, agriculture and extension services, employment prospects, and education.

    Education in the modern world is impossible without the internet and access to it is especially vital for raising educational standards in remote areas. The absence of Internet connectivity causes rural dwellers and students to lose out on important educational resources. Also, because of lack of access to high-quality educational resources, pupils in rural communities generally do less than their peers in cities. Rural communities can create equal chances for their kids and match their educational experiences with those of larger places by offering sustainable internet connectivity and electricity.

    Healthcare also depends on internet access. Because there aren't many hospitals or medical personnel in small towns, patients in these places might only have restricted access to healthcare services. Telemedicine, or the provision of healthcare services via technology, can aid in bridging this divide, nevertheless. By using internet resources like video conferencing, telemedicine enables medical professionals to diagnose, treat, and consult with patients who live in remote places. This is especially beneficial for individuals who reside distant from medical facilities or for those who have chronic conditions that need continuing treatment. Internet Access is more important than ever during emergencies and disasters. Communication between rural individuals and emergency services can be facilitated by the internet. Additionally, it has the potential to swiftly and effectively spread vital information, perhaps saving lives within the rural communities in Africa.

    Internet connectivity is critical for Agriculture and job opportunities in rural and urban poor communities. In today’s globalized economy, many jobs mostly within the agriculture sector require good internet connectivity. By providing sustainable internet access, farming communities in the rural areas can attract businesses and entrepreneurs who are looking for affordable locations to set up their operations. This can lead to an increase in sustainable job opportunities and economic growth in rural communities in Africa.

    We cannot emphasise how crucial internet connectivity is to rural communities in Africa. It is necessary for economy and employment prospects, healthcare, education, agriculture extension and services and disaster and emergency situations in the rural communities. Compared to their urban and city counterparts, rural populations face a considerable disadvantage if they lack internet connectivity. For remote populations to have access to high-speed internet, programmes and infrastructure must be funded by both public and commercial entities. By doing this, we can guarantee that everyone has access to the tools they require to prosper in the twenty-first century and contribute meaningfully to closing the digital divide.

    In this context, the Africa Community Internet Program (ACIP) seek to bring together key stakeholders (Health, education, technical, agriculture, financial, government etc) across Africa and the world to discuss the importance of community networks and electricity in rural communities in Africa.


    In order to enhance the IGF-layout hybrid format, we intend to incorporate more social media channels into the session.
    The agenda for the session will be set up to encourage the greatest amount of audience participation and interaction, both in-person and virtually.

    Organizers

    Ghana IGF / Africa Open Data and Internet Research Foundation
    1. Wisdom Donkor, Africa Community Internet Program, Ghana, Africa Group
    2. Prof. Lee W McKnight, the School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, USA, Latin America Group
    3. Kwaku Antwi, Africa Community Internet Program (ACIP) / Africa Open Data and Internet Research Foundation (AODIRF), Ghana, African Group
    4. Prof. Yusuf S Abdul-Qadir, Syracuse University, USA, Latin American Group
    5. Prof. Daniele T. Smith, Syracuse University, USA / Africa Community Internet Program, African Group
    6. Dr. Jane Appiah-Okyere, Syracuse University / Africa Community Internet Program (ACIP), African Group
    7. Akinremi Peter Taiwo, Africa Community Internet Program, Civil Society/Technical, Africa Group
    8. Theorose Eli Dzikunu, Ghana Youth IGF/Ghana Institute of Journalism, Civil Society / Academia, Africa Group
    9. Nazar Nicholas, Tanzania IGF/ISOC, Civil Society/Technical, African Group

    Speakers

    1. John Omo, Africa Telecommunication Union, Nigeria. African Group
    2. Prof. Lee W McKnight, School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, USA,
    3. Onica Makwakwa, Global Digital Inclusion, South Africa, African Group
    4. Mary Uduma, Chair, West Africa IGF, Nigeria, Africa Group
    5. Nazar Nicholas, Tanzania IGF, Africa Group
    6. Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament, Ghana, African Group

    Onsite Moderator

    Prof. Yusuf S Abdul-Qadir, Syracuse University, New York, USA

    Online Moderator

    Akinremi Peter Taiwo

    Rapporteur

    Theorose Eli Dzikunu

    SDGs

    1. No Poverty
    2. Zero Hunger
    3. Good Health and Well-Being
    4. Quality Education
    7. Affordable and Clean Energy
    8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
    9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure


    Targets: We believe that, technology integration into sustainable development requires a sufficient infrastructure. Unfortunately, many developing countries are unable to use technology and sustainable development initiatives to assist meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because of inadequate infrastructure. We firmly think that technology and the Internet are the keystones that will propel Africa towards the attainment of its sustainable development goals in the areas of Education, Health and Agriculture.