{"id":228763,"date":"2025-08-07T19:49:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T19:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/?p=228763"},"modified":"2025-08-29T17:40:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T17:40:26","slug":"community-snapshot-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/blog\/2025\/08\/community-snapshot-july\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Snapshot\u2014July"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Around the world, our 130 chapters and special interest groups work locally, regionally, and globally to keep the Internet a force for good: open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy. Each month, we provide a brief overview of just some of the things they have achieved in the previous month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Activities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf2 Armenia Chapter<\/strong> celebrated the 9th anniversary of the first registration of the .\u0570\u0561\u0575 domain by holding a community event in Yerevan. The chapter also donated computers equipped with digitized library software to three community libraries in Charentsavan, Arzakan, and Alapars, expanding access to digital information. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddef Benin Chapter<\/strong> launched \u201cCaf\u00e9NOG,\u201d a local networking event that brought together over 50 technical community members to discuss Internet infrastructure, local challenges, and solutions for digital development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf2 Cameroon Chapter<\/strong> published a book on the history of the Internet in Cameroon. The chapter also launched Internet.cm<\/a>, a new platform powered by data pulled from Internet Society Pulse<\/a> which supports public awareness on Internet accessibility and affordability. This work is supported by an Internet Society Foundation Beyond the Net<\/a> grant. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Two<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\udde9 Chad Chapter<\/strong> signed a partnership agreement with SALEHINDEV to promote digital development in the country. This initiative is based on civic engagement and aims to support an open and sovereign Internet in Chad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 DRC Chapter<\/strong> celebrated the nomination of its president for a FEMTECH Award for leadership in Internet governance, underscoring the chapter\u2019s role in promoting gender-inclusive digital policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddec Egypt Chapter<\/strong> published an article<\/a> analyzing the impact of a fire at a telecom\u2019s center which caused a near-total Internet outage in Cairo. The disruption impacted banks, hospitals, and the stock exchange, highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more about why poor Internet service provider market competition puts a country\u2019s <\/strong>Internet resilience at risk<\/strong><\/a> on Internet Society Pulse<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udde8 Ecuador Chapter<\/strong> hosted a well-attended webinar on privacy and cybersecurity, introducing key concepts of encryption and advocacy strategies for safer online behavior. Over 50 participants were actively engaged with questions and discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde6 Gabon Chapter<\/strong> co-hosted a session on the Domain Name System (DNS) and Internet security in Libreville, alongside AFRINIC and GABIX. The event focused on improving DNS practices and Internet resilience in Gabon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udded Ghana Chapter<\/strong> ran an onboarding session for its new members, introducing Internet Society\u2019s mission, the Internet ecosystem, and the multistakeholder model. Participants left better equipped to engage with the chapter\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udded\ud83c\uddf9 Haiti Chapter<\/strong> received the 2025 WSIS Prizes Champion Award<\/a> at the WSIS+20 Forum in Geneva for deploying sustainable community networks that have brought connectivity to over 9,000 people in remote areas across Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about\u00a0how <\/strong>community networks<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0help bridge the connectivity gap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf0\ud83c\uddec Kyrgyzstan Chapter<\/strong> has been recognized for its innovative work at the intersection of technology and sustainability. A research paper<\/a> entitled \u201cFrom Mountains to Data: Low-Cost Weather Stations in Kyrgyzstan\u2019s Challenging Terrain\u201d was published in the scientific journal Frontiers<\/em>. Additionally, their work was featured as a case study in an article by the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership<\/a> on sustainable digital futures.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"People<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf1\ud83c\udde7 Lebanon Chapter<\/strong> organized the 2025 Gaby Deek Internet Innovation Awards competition, which allows final-year students to showcase projects that are aligned with the Internet Society\u2019s 2025 action plan<\/a>. Winning projects included a 2D LIDAR system, an AI-powered router, and a balloon-lifted LoRa relay platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf4 Norway Chapter<\/strong> hosted a successful networking event<\/a> in Lillestr\u00f8m in conjunction with the Internet Governance Forum 2025, bringing together 60 participants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about how the <\/strong>multistakeholder approach<\/strong><\/a> helps keep the Internet open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddea Niger Chapter<\/strong> completed a cybersecurity and online safety training program for women. Forty participants received certificates and practical skills to support both their personal and professional digital lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddec Nigeria Chapter<\/strong> organized a digital literacy and online safety training<\/a> for Indigenous women in Kogi State. Over 100 women were taught how to use smartphones securely and make safer financial transactions online. The chapter also hosted the Indigenous Women\u2019s Digital Tech Workshop, with participants receiving training in digital tools, online safety, and practical applications for community empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to learn more about online safety and privacy? Take a look at our free, <\/strong>self-paced courses<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9 Portugal Chapter<\/strong> held a hybrid workshop in Lisbon to discuss the current state and future of the Internet. The event brought together 30 participants to share perspectives on key topics like digital regulation and sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf3 Senegal Chapter<\/strong>\u2019s president gave a televised interview<\/a> addressing Internet governance challenges, including content blocking and Internet shutdowns, advocating for transparency and inclusive digital policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about <\/strong>Senegal\u2019s track record<\/strong><\/a> of Internet shutdowns on Internet Society Pulse.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddee Slovenia Chapter<\/strong> made significant strides in its online trust and safety work by publishing a paper on a cybersecurity curriculum<\/a> that has been downloaded nearly 1,200 times worldwide. The chapter also participated in the evaluation of projects for the NGI Zero program and published a report on the 20th anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8 Spain Catalonia Chapter<\/strong> organized a panel discussion on Universal Acceptance<\/a> at the Institut d\u2019Estudis Catalans. The event, featuring staff from Domini .CAT and local registrars, highlighted the practical challenges and management of DNS names with local characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 Ukraine Chapter<\/strong> co-organized the RIPE Community Day in Odesa<\/a>, a two-day event that provided training for over 120 technologists from various sectors. The sessions focused on best practices in network operations, including IPv6, BGP, and MANRS<\/a>, strengthening the digital capabilities within the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddff\ud83c\uddfc Zimbabwe Chapter<\/strong> trained rural healthcare workers at Mashoko Hospital in cybersecurity and digital literacy in a region that has recently been connected to the Internet. The chapter was also nominated by the Ministry of Education to join the NDS2 Science and Innovation Working Group, with chapter leaders touring local IXPs<\/a> (HIX and ZINX) to explore peering, latency reduction, and cost savings. They also visited the Uncommon Vic Falls Hub to explore youth-focused digital innovation. The collaboration aims to enhance digital skills, entrepreneurship, and creativity among the region\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Seven<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internet Governance Forums (IGFs)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udde8 Ecuador Chapter<\/strong> co-organized IGF Ecuador 2025. Building Internet Governance Together was the theme, and the event brought together representatives from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to explore collaborative approaches to Internet governance in the digital age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddf1 Mali Chapter<\/strong> co-organized the 3rd edition of the Mali Internet Governance Forum with local stakeholders. The ICT Minister gave opening remarks, affirming the chapter\u2019s role in shaping Mali\u2019s digital policy ahead of WSIS+20.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Three<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddeb Pacific Islands Chapter<\/strong> co-hosted the Pacific Islands IGF<\/a>, welcoming over 60 participants. Attendees included chapter leaders, government officials, and representatives from Internet Society organization members <\/a>auDA, APNIC, and InternetNZ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Internet Society Foundation <\/strong>provides funding<\/strong><\/a> for recognized national and regional Internet Governance Forum events.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get involved! Find your local Internet Society chapter<\/a> and take action at a local level to make global change.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Image \u00a9 Internet Society Benin Chapter, \u00a9 Internet Society Benin Chapter, \u00a9 Vox Tchad, \u00a9 Internet Society Lebanon Chapter, \u00a9 Internet Society Niger Chapter, \u00a9 Internet Society Zimbabwe Chapter, \u00a9 Internet Society Pacific Islands Chapter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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