It’s OneWebDay in D.C.
Today is the third annual “Earth Day for the Internet,” and there are events all over the country celebrating the Internet, and I hope that you attend one or find a way to help. I’ve just come from an event in D.C. discussing the policy challenges facing the Internet and the ways that the Internet has enhanced the civic dialog. As Ellen Miller of Sunlight Foundation noted, in New York city they’re having an OWD party and rally while we have a policy discussion, but that’s “what we do,” in D.C.; we are creatures of the political climate and policy discussions are what we can offer to the Web. Readers of this blog are well aware what a marvel the Internet is, as well as the obstacles it faces here and abroad. Even so, it’s easy to take the Internet for granted.
Luckily, we have a happy hour later today (information below) to balance the policy discussion – we would love to see you there. Susan Crawford (a CDT fellow) started OneWebDay in 2006, in order to encourage people to become actively involved in the future of the Internet. This year the theme is civic participation in democracy, highlighting the role of the Internet in the upcoming election. People also depend on the Internet for communication, research, collaboration; the Net has become important in almost every facet of life. To begin the discussion for OneWebDay D.C., Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) spoke of her long involvement with Internet issues that started well before she was a lawmaker. She also spoke of how to effectively exploit the Internet for the common good, rather than trying to lock it down.
The Congresswoman talked about the obstacles to Internet use in communities without adequate broadband coverage, in some cases that means the public school down the street. We are in an environment with transitions that come more and more quickly, and we must engage all our communities in order to ensure that they can reap those benefits. She spoke of the Internet as a public good, and of our duty to maximize the free, open Internet for everyone. As a young adult, I can’t imagine the world without it. FCC Commissioner Adelstein spoke about the challenges ahead of the country as we make sure that everyone has access to the Internet and that its open and free.
Everyone can benefit from the Internet, but it needs to be protected and cultivated. Adelstein noted that there is an unprecedented amount of new information being downloaded from the Internet, and a similarly unprecedented number of creative works uploaded to share. We have to work together to protect the interconnected, open Internet; founded on openness and neutrality. While so many in the US have access to the Internet, 80% of the planet does not. It has been forty years since ARPANet, and 20 years since Sir Tim Berners Lee suggested the World Wide Web, but still 80% of the planet doesn’t have access to this resource. Following Rep. Edwards and Comm. Adelstein, a panel of advocates and experts spoke on the ways that the Internet has increased transparency, openness, and civic participation.
Ellen Miller of Sunlight Foundation spoke about ways that the Internet can allow citizens to participate in and find out about their government; John Wheeler from Democracy in Action spoke about the power of the Internet for online organizing; Greg Bloom from Beyond Bread talked about the way that the Internet can change the experience of underserved residents; challenges to the Internet from the digital divide; Drew Clark from BroadBandCensus.com spoke about the challenges of broadband deployment; Alec Ross from the Obama campaign talked about technology platforms and the importance of the Internet in the future of US policymaking (McCain’s staff were invited, and are speaking at other OWD events). As you can see, the conversation about the Internet is a full one with a strong representation in DC. Happy OneWebDay– let’s keep it up.
The OneWebDay Happy Hour at Tryst (For Friends of the Internet) September 22, 6-8pm Tryst, 2459 18th St NW, Adams Morgan, Washington, DC $3 Drink Specials For One Web Day Participants Make Your Mark on One Web Day and then Come Help Us Celebrate the Internet!
