Net Inclusion 2022 Coming to Portland

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Because of the pandemic, for the past two years the annual Net Inclusion conference had been held virtually. This year Net Inclusion 2022 – bringing together digital inclusion advocates, academics, Internet Service Providers, and policymakers – will return to an in-person event. 

As in years past, the conference is being organized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), a national grassroots organization that works collaboratively with digital inclusion practitioners and advocates “to craft, identify and disseminate financial and operational resources for digital inclusion programs while serving as a bridge to policymakers and the general public.”

The three-day conference, which will be hosted at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon Feb. 15-17 and livestreamed to accommodate those unable to travel, will feature interactive sessions that range from celebrating the “Digital Equity Champion Awards,” a plenary on federal broadband funding, another that explores structural racism featuring NDIA's own Regina Cooper Benjamin, culminating in a fireside chat with FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

The panel speakers are a Who's Who of community broadband experts. ILSR’s Christopher Mitchell will be on a panel to talk about “Building Subsidized & Affordable Broadband.” Deb Socia of the Enterprise Center will join a panel on "Economic Development and Digitial Inclusion," while Next Century Cities' Francella Ochillo will be a featured speaker on a panel that explores "Local Government Funding, Office, Coordination & Policy." 

In addition to the panel discussions, each day will include lightning rounds and break-out sessions that center around three focus areas:

• Local, state, and federal policies and policy innovations impacting digital equity

• Sources of financial and programmatic support of digital inclusion programs

• Digital inclusion best practices from across the country

Because this year’s conference will be held in-person, organizers “will require vaccinations, boosters, and/or negative tests” for attendees. Also, “masks will be required in indoor spaces, and outdoor eating options will be available.”

Those interested in attending can register here.

Panels and speakers include:

 

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Net Inclusion
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