Absolutely; actions today create avenues for tomorrow. You should pass that feedback on to Renata Avila (with Web We Want) or post in the #FastAfrica listserv, I'm sure she'd be very receptive to it. They also have a grant programme to support such initiatives if there are any that you know of that might benefit from a small burst of funding. Ayden On Sat, Apr 2, 2016 12:04 PM, Michael Oghia [log in to unmask] wrote: That's a great idea Ayden! Another idea would be to highlight the initiatives, organizations, and individuals that I referenced. -Michael On Apr 2, 2016 2:01 PM, "Ayden Férdeline" < [log in to unmask] > wrote: I feel the same way, Michael. I posted on the #FastAfrica listserv, when the idea for this press release was floated, that I think it would be more meaningful and a better use of resources if Web We Want was to assemble a willing coalition of African leaders who understood how vital the Internet is in today's digitally-enabled society. I said it wouldn't need to be every leader on the continent, but a declaration from even two or three recognising the importance of the Internet and committing to improving infrastructure would be a better output. To their credit - after the mixed response from the community and Web Foundation staff - they decided against proceeding with the media release en mass. So aside from in this listserv, I don't think you'll find it anywhere… The Web Foundation is also sending a delegation this week to Banjul to meet with the Commission of the African Union to try to draw some attention to issues re: poor connectivity. Ayden On Sat, Apr 2, 2016 at 11:43 AM, Michael Oghia < [log in to unmask] > wrote: The original press release is indicative of why I loathe April Fool's Day. Despair not; there are many initiatives, individuals, and organizations working hard in many parts of Africa to realize better connectivity that offer hope. -Michael On Apr 2, 2016 12:07 AM, "Olévié Kouami" < [log in to unmask] > wrote: Dear Enrique, IMHO the situation in Liberia is not yet a disaster. It's a question of Education. I For me Education is different from Culture. IMHO, we need to integrate Culture into Education for the good of our humanity. But we can acquire Education from any part of the world. My 2 cents, Warm regards -Olévié- 2016-04-01 18:02 GMT+01:00 Enrique Chaparro < [log in to unmask] > : Remmy, Olévié, Slightly offtopic, but since we talk about Africa, something that, disgracefully, is not an April 1st joke: the privatisation of Liberia's elementary education system. http://m.mgafrica.com/article/2016-03-31-liberia-plans-to-outsource-its-entire-education-system-to-a-private-company-why-this-is-a-very-big-deal-and-africa-should-pay-attention -- Olévié Ayaovi Agbenyo KOUAMI Directeur-Adjoint de O and K IT SOLUTIONS sarl Editeur de logiciels de gestion (PGI/ERP) S.I.G.E. (http:// www.oandkit.com ) Président/CEO de l'INTIC4DEV (Institut des TIC pour le développement) http://www.intic4dev.org Secrétaire Général de l'ESTETIC - Association Togolaise des professionnels des TIC ( http://www.estetic.tg ) ICANN-GNSO-NCSG-NPOC Communications Committee Chair ( http://www.npoc.org/ ) ICANN - Fellow & Alumni ( http://www.icann.org ) - Membre de Internet Society (http:// www.isoc.org ) Membre fondateur du RIK-Togo (Réseau Interprofessionnel du Karité au Togo) ( http://www.globalshea.com ) - Skype : olevie1 FaceBook : @olivier.kouami.3 Twitter : #oleviek Lomé – Togo Ayden Férdeline Statement of Interest