Proposal

APrIGF 2022 Session Proposal Submission Form
Part 1 - Lead Organizer
Contact Person
Mr. Gustaff Harriman Iskandar
Email
Organization / Affiliation (Please state "Individual" if appropriate) *
Common Room Networks Foundation (Common Room)
Designation
Managing Director
Gender
Male
Economy of Residence
Indonesia
Primary Stakeholder Group
Civil Society
List Your Organizing Partners (if any)
1. Kathleen Diga - Association for Progressive Communications (APC), kathleen@apc.org;
2. Christopher Agass - Digital Access Programme (DAP)/Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), christopher.agass@fcdo.gov.uk;
3. Hannah Durack - ISIF ASIA, hannah.durack@apnic.net;
4. Donny B.U. - ICT Watch, dbudonnybu@gmail.com.
Part 2 - Session Proposal
Session Title
The Role of Community Networks Movement In Addressing The Digital Divide Challenges In Asia Pacific Region
Session Format
Panel Discussion
Where do you plan to organize your session?
Onsite at the venue (with online moderator for questions and comments from remote participants)
Specific Issues for Discussion
Since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, internet connectivity has become an important tool to support daily communication, including for carrying out public administration, health services, education, economic activities, etc. Although in recent years there has been a significant growth in internet penetration in many different places in Asia Pacific region, the digital divide challenges still remain visible among the public in general. Some of these challenges mainly deal with numerous conditions, ranging from diverse geographical situations, the absence of basic internet infrastructure, differences in bandwidth costs, unavailability of appropriate and affordable devices. This also includes the inability to produce local content and knowledge, including lack of digital skills and gender gap. The development and utilization of community-based internet infrastructure can be an alternative solution for providing internet services in hard-to-reach areas, especially in rural areas and remote places. As the internet service providers (ISPs) company or telecommunication operators are usually reluctant to develop services in this area due to certain conditions that are deemed unable to meet the scale of their business, the community-based approach is one of the visible solutions to address these challenges. However, the development and utilization of community-based internet infrastructure requires community assistance and empowerment which requires a long time and dedication. This session will discuss various approaches, practices, as well as opportunities and challenges that arise from certain capacity building and community networks empowerment initiatives aimed at the development and utilization of community-based internet infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region.
Describe the Relevance of Your Session to APrIGF
This panel discussion session is strongly relevant for the APrIGF 2022 overarching theme, which places the people at the center to envisioning a community-led Internet that is inclusive, sustainable and trusted. In regards to the increasing needs of the use of technology and the internet for supporting livelihoods during the COVID-19 pandemic, this discussion will also critically reflect the greater urgency to regulate these technologies in order to anticipate impacts on our lives. In addition to community networks initiatives, this discussion will also attempt to elaborate some questions related to the integration of the digital world with some of its unintended consequences, such as the lost sight of real connections. In general sense, this session will strongly reflect the voice of diverse communities and put people as part of decision-making and multistakeholder discussions, and critically reflect whether technology is being utilized in the best interest to increase the quality of human life and the surrounding environment.
Methodology / Agenda (Please add rows by clicking "+" on the right)
Time frame (e.g. 5 minutes, 20 minutes, should add up to 60 minutes) Description
5 minutes Introduction of speakers and session prepared by facilitator/moderator
20-25 minutes 5 minutes presentation per speaker (4) + reflection points and/or set of question by facilitator/moderator
5-10 minutes Interaction with audiences and participants
20 minutes 5 minutes response per speaker (4) + facilitator/moderator
5-10 minutes Interaction with audiences and participants for closing remarks
Please explain the rationale for choosing each of the above contributors to the session.
The speakers involved in this session have diverse backgrounds and have a significant track record in the community networks movement in the Asia Pacific region. Mr. Onno W. Purbo is an influential figure in the internet movement in Indonesia. His work in supporting the community networks movement in Indonesia has been recognized both in local and international context. Sylvia Cadena Pilonieta is the Head of Programs and Partnerships of ISIF ASIA who has extensive experience on the design, fundraising, management and reporting of collaborative initiatives focusing on Internet infrastructure; regulatory frameworks for equitable access; community engagement on ICT projects, technical training and Internet Governance. dr. Sarbani Banerjee Belur is a senior research fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). She is also the Asia regional coordinator for the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) which is involved in developing community networks movement in Southeast Asia. Erni Sulistiowati is the head of the Community Internet School Indonesia who has long been active in the rural community empowerment initiatives in the Pemalang, Central Java, Indonesia.
If you need assistance to find a suitable speaker to contribute to your session, or an onsite facilitator for your online-only session, please specify your request with details of what you are looking for.
We might need some translators & sign interpreter during offline and/or online session.
Please declare if you have any potential conflict of interest with the Program Committee 2022.
No
Are you or other session contributors planning to apply for the APrIGF Fellowship Program 2022?
Yes
APrIGF offers live transcript in English for all sessions. Do you need any other translation support or any disability related requests for your session? APrIGF makes every effort to be a fully inclusive and accessible event, and will do the best to fulfill your needs.
Yes.
Consent
I agree that my data can be submitted to forms.for.asia and processed by APrIGF organizers for the program selection of APrIGF 2022.