Diplo US

Digital inclusion by design: Leveraging existing infrastructure to leave no one behind
2025-12-03 09:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Giga Connectivity Centre – Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
Co-organisers & host
The event is co-organised by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), Giga, and DiploFoundation. It is hosted by the Giga Connectivity Centre in Geneva.
Context
In 2024, 2.6 billion people did not use the internet at least once every three months, with individuals in low- and middle-income countries, rural and remote areas, women, the elderly, marginalised groups, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) disproportionately unconnected. Moreover, even when marginalised groups have some access to the internet, they are less likely to be meaningfully connected in a way that enables access to essential digital services and opportunities because they often use the internet too infrequently or lack internet-enabled devices, reliable high-speed connections, economic resources, or the digital skills necessary for a safe, affordable and productive online experience.
As economies and societies are rapidly digitalising, these persisting digital divides often result in digital transformations that mainly benefit easier-to-reach connected populations, inadvertently deepening inequalities. Innovative approaches are needed to ensure that unconnected and less connected individuals do not remain excluded when sectors and countries undergo digital transformations, but can also meaningfully participate in the digital economy and society.
Focus of the event
Twenty years ago, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) set out a vision of a ‘people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society’. While significant progress has been made, this vision is yet to be fully realised. As we mark the WSIS+20 milestone, a renewed commitment and concrete actions are needed to bridge persistent digital divides and ensure meaningful digital inclusion, leaving no one behind.
This event is dedicated to the international digital community, aims to share practical experiences from the ground on leveraging existing infrastructure to connect the unconnected and the hardest-to-reach populations. The extensive physical network of community anchor institutions, which enjoy the reach and the trust of local populations – including community centers, post offices, schools, libraries, or other public spaces – has proved well placed to provide digital support and digital services to unconnected communities, less digitally savvy individuals, including those living in rural and remote areas.
The discussion will provide concrete examples of how embedding existing community anchor institutions into digital transformation strategies – and enabling them to facilitate digital literacy training or provide access to services such as e-commerce, e-government, e-learning or digital financial services – can be a cost-effective way to expand the benefits of the digital economy to areas where usually no other service providers are present.
The event will also seek to foster discussions on the way forward – how to advance from lessons learned toward meaningful and sustainable digital inclusion.
Agenda
15:30 | Registration and welcome coffee/tea
16:00 – 17:00 | Panel discussion on the benefits of using the existing community anchor institutions to achieve digital inclusion

Presentation of the new UPU Digital Panorama report, showcasing how posts are successfully supporting governments in enabling inclusive digital transformation | Ms. Radka Sibille, Digital Policies and Trade Coordinator, and Mr. Kevin Hernandez, Digital inclusion expert, UPU
Presentation by Giga on connecting schools across the world | Ms. Irene Kaggwa, Giga Programme Manager, ITU
Contribution by Ms. Maria De Brasdefer, Digital Affairs Policy and Advocacy Officer, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Q&A

17:00 – 18:00 | Interactive discussion on what’s next for meaningful digital inclusion
This interactive discussion will look ahead: What have we learned from twenty years of efforts to bridge the digital divides, and what more is needed to achieve the goals set by WSIS and reaffirmed in the Global Digital Compact? Building on the insights from the first session, we will explore policy priorities, partnerships, and practical measures to advance meaningful connectivity for all. The conversation will also connect to the ongoing WSIS+20 discussions and the upcoming UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting in mid-December 2025.
The event will be moderated by Ms. Sorina Teleanu, Director of Knowledge, DiploFoundation and Dr. Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director, DiploFoundation.
The discussion will benefit from the insights of the GIGA Learning Hub participants, composed of procurement officers, ICT policymakers, education ministry officials, and stakeholders responsible for designing and delivering national school connectivity projects.
Light refreshments will be provided.
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Kindly note that this is an in-situ event only. Participation is free of charge, but seats are limited.
Register

Capacity Development Programme for CSOs 2025–2026 I CADE
2025-12-10 - 2026-05-31
The Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) is strengthening the ability of civil society organisations (CSOs) – especially those from the Global South – to play a stronger role in shaping digital policy.
The programme, developed and delivered by DiploFoundation, guides participants through a practical, step-by-step learning journey that builds both technical knowledge and diplomatic skills, supported throughout by a flexible helpdesk service offering tailored expert advice.
1. Technical Knowledge Track (10 December 2025 – 31 March 2026)
2. Diplomatic Skills Track (6 April 2026 – 31 May 2026)

February 2026 online courses | Diplo Academy
2026-02-16 | Online
Diplo Academy is excited to announce the start of four online courses on 16 February 2026:

AI Technology, Policy and Governance
Diplomatic Communication
Multilateral Diplomacy Institutional Aspects
Public Diplomacy Essentials

For further information or to apply, please click on the course titles above or visit our course catalogue.
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