Enabling meaningful connectivity - myths and realities of current connectivity challenges
ESOA
Session 298
During this workshop we will go through the diverse services demanded by citizens around the world to improve their day to day lives, especially in the ‘online world’. During this workshop we will bring users who will speak about their experiences firsthand to understand the impact connectivity has had on their lives. This discussion will allow stakeholders, regulators and other participants to go back to basics and define what countries and users really need in terms of connectivity and avoid artificial requirements that prevent ubiquitous connectivity.
Aarti Holla-Maini has been Secretary General of the ESOA since 2004. She is a Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Space Technology, Global 5G Coalition Network and Essential Digital Infrastructure & Services Network. Under Aarti’s leadership, ESOA & its member CEOs lead the effort to showcase the benefits of satellite communications for a more inclusive and secure society - vital to bridging the world’s digital divide, achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the 5G ecosystem.
Since joining the association, Aarti has lead the expansion of ESOA from a European association to one that represents the interests of 20 global and regional satellite operators. She reports directly to their Chief Executives. Aarti has 23 years' experience in the aerospace industry, starting at Daimler-Benz Aerospace/EADS (now Airbus) in Germany. In 2000, she moved to Brussels, representing Airbus interests in the European satellite navigation program: Galileo.
Aarti holds a Masters of Business Administration from HEC, France & Stern Business School, NYC, USA. She qualified as Solicitor of the Supreme Court in the UK in 1995, holding a 2:1 graded LLB Hons Law with German Law degree from King's College, University of London & the University of Passau, Germany. Aarti is of British-Indian origin and holds British and Belgian nationalities. She lives in Brussels, has 3 children and speaks 5 languages.
Massoumeh Farman-Farmaian has been working with the UNHCR for over 15 years most it in the field in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Chad, Pakistan, Uganda among other locations. Her experience has been largely in humanitarian emergencies focusing on preparedness and response.
Faith Aweko is a Ugandan social entrepreneur, passionate about environment, sustainability and changing peoples lives. She’s dedicated her life and passion towards creating solutions on environmental issues in Uganda through her social enterprise Reform Africa.
Audrey KAMSU is a pioneer staff of the AUB. She has extensive experience in relations with African Broadcasters televisions. She has worked in the coordination of projects related to content production, training and worldwide sporting events. After successively serving as Assistant to the Director General, Head of Members officers, Audrey KAMSU now holds the position of Project Manager of the News and Content Exchange Network named AUBVISION. She's also coordinates the AUB technical committee of Spectrum management in sub-saharan Africa.
Siobhan Lynch is currently Group Strategy Manager at Avanti Communications based in London, where, in addition to working on the Corporate Strategy, she works on multiple strategic projects across the Company. Siobhan has extensive experience in the telecommunications sector. Prior to joining Avanti, Siobhan was Group Strategy Manager at Liquid Telecom South Africa, where she assisted in developing the corporate strategy, as well as providing business insights that enabled the business to operationally and strategically execute on its corporate goals and objectives.
In addition to this Siobhan has worked in the consulting space providing advice to the financial and healthcare sectors. She has also worked on economic research and analysis for merger cases, complaints, and compliance opinions.
Siobhan holds a Bachelors (Honours) degree in Economics from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C4. Capacity building
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C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-business
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-health
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-employment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-environment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-agriculture
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-science
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C9. Media
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C11. International and regional cooperation
This pandemic has given much-needed momentum to tackling a long-standing problem: The Digital Divide, but highlights how this problem needs to be addressed as a priority, while for the last few years the digital narrative has been dominated by 5G.
The Pandemic has shown that Internet access is fundamental for education, healthcare and simply the ability to work and earn a living or not. It is not a new challenge; it has been there for years, but still it is not bridged. Clearly, we need a new approach. There should be no excuse for making people wait for solutions that may never come when such solutions are here today. With the objective of achieving the common goals and WSIS Action Lines, all stakeholders will be key and specially governments that need to explore and prioritise access to connectivity by leveraging all solutions and support their efforts With national broadband budgets that focus on rural communities.
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Many international bodies are pooling their strengths to contribute to achieving the SDGs and implement the WSIS Action lines. However, we still face a lack of concrete action and outcomes that are necessary to ensure success on all fronts. In some instances, this is even be related to a lack of awareness. Greater coordination between initiatives would be beneficial not only for the digital ecosystem but also for regulators and administrations. During the session on Meaningful Connectivity, we will listen to real cases and explore initiatives and projects that can be replicated and are steps on the right direction to succeed in achieving the SDGs.
