During the Transforming Education Summit that took place between 17-19 September in New York City, ITU and UNICEF along with the Governments of Spain and Switzerland hosted an event on the ‘’Giga Initiative: Transforming Education Through Digital Connectivity’’.
BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin delivered opening remarks, along with H.E. José Manuel Bar Cendón, Secretary of State for Education of Spain; H.E. Adrian Hauri, Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations; and Mr Fayaz King, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF.
ITU and UNICEF launched the Giga initiative with the aim of connecting all schools to the internet, and enabling every learner to access information, opportunity and choice. Ms Bogdan-Martin thanked the Governments of Spain and Switzerland for their financial and political support to further Giga’s mission.
She mentioned that Giga has already mapped the location of over 1.1 million schools in 50 countries, and is now working actively in 19 countries to bring schools online. To date, Giga has connected over 5,300 schools in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, providing online access to two million students and teachers.
''Imagine a world where no child’s future prospects need be compromised simply because of lack to access to education and information. That’s the Giga dream, and we hope that many more of you will join us in making it a reality’’, said Ms Bogdan-Martin.
