Youth Forum Declaration

 
I will keep it short and sweet. The 2009 Youth Forum Declaration is online and available for all the world to see. It is available in the 6 United Nations languages.


This document has been posted on the following website: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/sis/Youth/YF2009/index.html

It expresses a vision from the Fellows who attended the ITU Telecom World 2009 Youth Forum. Whether it becomes an aspiration fulfilled depends on all the partners in society, be that industry, governments, NGOs or individuals for it to become a reality. It seeks to express the goal, the place where we want to go, the route that is to be taken is free to be chosen.


Have a read of it - it's actually pretty impressive (isn't it nice to know the future leaders of this world are so modest)!

Closing Statement

How hollow stings the bitterness of departure, the time together passed, the moments shared now left to memory. We could not believe that we should have been so fortunate as to be selected, now we cannot believe it has ended. As our paths diverge, to lead their respective ways many will gaze-out and seek recall these special days - this we do with a new shade to our vision. This new tint to our sight is not an impediment, rather a facilitator offering a greater appreciation and understanding for that which passes as "everyday life". The change experienced is both as result and part of the unique and valued experience had. The cause of this change has not necessarily been the insights received into new and innovative technologies seen at the exposition, nor the speeches made, nor subjects discussed. Though valuable their contribution may be and the accumulative benefit is great, something far more fundamental can be said of that which occurred in Geneva. The real change and true wonder has come through the incredible people we have met.

In Geneva there came together a gathering of smart, energetic, open, eager and talented individuals - a week later a network of friends parted ways in the hope and promise that they would someday come together again. It was the people who made ITU World 2009 Youth Forum a uniquely unforgettable event and this was even recognized in the closing statement of Dr. Hamadoun Touré (our ITU "Father") in which he said: "In the end it is all about the people. We are working together to connect all the worlds people". If this is the start of it then well-done for it holds great promise.

So now to my closing statements and hopes. My hope is that this is but the beginning, may it never end, for what is truly great will last forever. Till next we meet my fellow ITU Youth Forum Alumni, do not let what we have taken from this great experience fade to memory. You have the ability to make it a living reality. They believe in us, now we must believe in ourselves.

The internet for development: Using web 2.0 and cutting connectivity costs

So the fifth gathering (forum) heralded our first workshop. This time the topic for discussion was something that all in the room had undoubtedly come into contact with - us on the internet. The meeting was chaired by Michael Best from the Georgia Institute of Technology (the man who had earlier overseen the initiation of the YF`s own Web 2.0 generated features). The panel consisted of Tad Deriso (President and CEO of Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative), Samuel Morgan (Alumni YF Fellow) and Katie Mulloy (UNICEF). The main points raised by the panel were:

Tad Deriso
The idea of OAFONs (Open Access Fibre Optic Networks) is a great one and his company has continued to connect schools and communities through four means: the Fibre Optic Networks, Aerially hung fibres, Local Access Points and Wireless Towers. Tad mentioned the troubles experienced in receiving permission to actually provide these services (laying Fibres in particular) which was often resolved by offering municipal bodies with “free Fibre” (2 or 3 strands for their purposes).

Michael Best
A short overview of Web 2.0 features and utilities describing them as Rich (large images, documents, videos, etc.), Interactive (voice, audio chat) and most importantly user based (done by us). A prerequisite for the use Web 2.0 is for this reason access to broadband networks. Another important point raised by Michael was the need to build literacy and awareness in terms of privacy and security. He posed the question if mobile technology might be the solution to the issue of lack of broadband when using 2.0 technology.

Katie Mulloy
A new dimension was added to the attending YF representatives understanding of UNICEFs activities by describing the technical developments and activities which they have and continue to undertake. The example which she provided was that of the BEE: an open-source system in all its software, hardware and design - which can be replicated using off-the-shelf components.

Samuel Morgan
A speech all about “you” – that is that “we” utilize the power of Web 2.0 technologies in terms of “collaboration, open standards and interoperability” because “you can become a publisher of content. In order to display the value of Web 2.0 Sam provided a number of real-life examples: Waterwiki, NATA (Venezuela) and the UN online volunteer site to provide small-loan financial supports.

Following the tea-break the workshop reconvened with a presentation by the YF Web 2.0 working-group’s representatives – Maps & Images, Documents and Blogging. Those representatives then remained on stage joining the panel for the continuation of workshops theme (see title). Discussions grew more heated as controversial topics such as copyright, inhibitions due to politics, health issues and the threats to privacy by being able to access vast quantities of personal information through the internet – in particular through Web 2.0 features – and individuals apparent unawareness of the possible repercussions thereof. Even conspiracy theories were brought into debate of the ”Big Brother”, whether that be government organizations or otherwise, watching our every move.

The debate could well have kept going; however time was against us and so it came to a close. Day 3 FINI!