For Immediate Release: September 17, 2009
Contact: Anne Singer, 202-271-4679, anne.singer.communications [at] gmail.com
OneWebDay 2009 Highlights Internet Inclusion and Opportunity on 9/22/09
Annual Event Combines Volunteer Service, Public Forums and Celebrations in 25 U.S. Cities
Washington, D.C. – Like our national highways, electrical grid, postal and phone service, the Internet has become fundamental to the well-being and productivity of every American citizen. It is the means by which increasing numbers of Americans earn a living, receive an education, consume goods and services and participate in their democracy; in many cases, it is the only means. As dependence on the Internet increases, however, the United States ranks 15th among developed nations when it comes to broadband deployment – the infrastructure that brings the Internet into American homes and communities.
OneWebDay was founded in 2006 as an all-volunteer campaign to build a constituency for the Internet in the United States and around the world. Originally imagined as a celebration of the World Wide Web – the services and content the Internet carries – OneWebDay has grown into a movement of organizations, citizens and consumers who are committed to universal and equal access to the Internet. Now in its fourth year, OneWebDay 2009 has a full-time Executive Director, powerful new partners and will see events in 50 cities across the globe.
In the U.S., 9/22 events include: a documentary and discussion on copyright in Milwaukee; a broadband policy panel on Capitol Hill in Washington; a New York City rally with an Iranian political activist; elected officials and a Cajun band in Lafayette; a public forum with Mitch Kapor in Berkeley; a panel on the city’s federal broadband grant in Philadelphia. Events are listed here: http://onewebday.org/onewebday-events-map/
In these challenging economic times, OneWebDay’s 2009 theme – One Web. For All. – is an opportunity to focus on economic and educational inclusion. “It’s no accident that there were $7.2 billion allocated for broadband in the stimulus bill,” said Nathaniel James, OneWebDay’s Executive Director. “Everyone understands that the Internet is the pathway to economic opportunity, from educational achievement to success on the job. Even finding and applying for a job requires online skills and access.” James is especially proud of sending OneWebDay volunteers into the least-wired communities. “This year we are rolling up our sleeves in a big way to install hardware and do trainings that will make a difference right now for people who are getting left behind.”
In addition to the individuals and local groups planning events this year, OneWebDay is coordinating with national organizations which have been on the front lines of Internet advocacy. The Washington, D.C. based Media & Democracy Coalition will be nationally releasing a new report called “A Public Interest Internet Agenda” on September 22 with support from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG) state chapters. OneWebDay volunteers are also donating their time and labor as part of Mozilla Service Week, which runs September 14-20.
The founder of the Mozilla Foundation, Mitch Kapor, who took on his new role as OneWebDay Board Chair in May, says that this year’s OneWebDay is about the promise of digital inclusion. “Ultimately, we want to ensure that anyone who wants it has access to the Internet and, importantly, the skills they need to fully participate. The ability to access and use a fast, affordable, and open Internet is essential for every student, every entrepreneur, and every citizen who wants full access to our government and the democratic process,” said Kapor.
OneWebDay 2009 has been made possible by contributions from Fon, Google, Kapor Enterprises, Inc., the Mozilla Foundation, PIR.org, the Sunlight Foundation, Tucows, Inc., and a grant from the Ford Foundation.
OneWebDay: http://onewebday.org/
USPIRG: http://www.uspirg.org/
Media and Democracy Coalition: http://www.media-democracy.net/
Mozilla Service Week: http://mozillaservice.org
