Community Network Xchange – Asia Pacific Nepal Chapter 2024

The CNX-APAC series has been successfully organised by the Digital Empowerment Foundation in partnership with the Internet Society since 2017. This is the first time that the Nepal Internet Foundation, in collaboration with the Digital Empowerment Foundation, is coming together to organise the CNX-APAC Nepal Chapter.  

The focus of the 1st edition of the CNX-APAC Nepal Chapter is “Empowering Voices, Connecting Communities: Community Networks for Social Change”. Our goal is to bring together community network initiators, creators, practitioners, and enthusiasts to discuss and explore the transformative potential of community networks for social change. This platform will serve for raising awareness, facilitating knowledge exchange, building capacity, fostering collaboration, and advocating for policy changes to support community-driven Internet connectivity.

The event will also focus on rural connectivity, last-mile accessibility, and services for indigenous, tribal, hilly, and mountain communities. We will showcase the stories of diverse community networks, highlight the role of women, and explore the involvement of telecom service providers and ISPs in extending connectivity to the last mile. Additionally, we aim to organise local-level exchange programs for learners and barefoot engineers specialising in VSAT, wireless, coaxial cable, and fibre networks to share knowledge and experiences. The CNX-APAC Nepal Chapter will also support national-level gatherings, organise an annual CNX event starting this year, and form a consortium for sustainability in Nepal. We will advocate for policy changes by developing briefing papers on regulatory issues, bringing community networks to the attention of policymakers, and discussing sustainable business models.

OBJECTIVES:

• Raise Awareness: Highlight the importance of community networks in empowering marginalised and underserved communities. 

• Facilitate Knowledge Exchange: Provide a platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and best practices among community network practitioners and supporters. 

• Capacity-Building: Offer training and development opportunities to enhance the skills and expertise of community network builders. 

• Foster Collaboration: Encourage partnerships and cooperation among stakeholders, including community members, experts, advocates, telecom service providers, and ISPs. 

• Advocacy and Policy Dialogue: Develop and promote policy recommendations to support the growth and sustainability of community networks in rural and remote areas. 

FOCUS AREAS:

• Rural Connectivity: Address challenges in extending connectivity to rural and remote areas. 

• Services and Marginalised Communities: Provide essential services to indigenous, tribal, hilly, and mountain communities. 

• Role of Women: Support and highlight women’s involvement in community network initiatives. 

• Involvement of Telecom Service Providers and ISPs: Explore their roles in expanding connectivity. 

TARGET AUDIENCE

KEY ACTIVITIES:

• Panel Discussions and Presentations: Discuss various aspects of community networks, including technical, social, and economic perspectives 

• Local-Level Exchange Programs: Share knowledge and experiences among local learners and engineers 

• Annual CNX-APAC Nepal Chapter Event: Establish a tradition of annual gatherings to maintain momentum in community network dialogue  

• Consortium for Sustainability: Form a group to ensure the long-term sustainability of community networks 

• Policy Advocacy: Develop briefing papers on regulatory issues and engage with policymakers 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

• Increased awareness of community networks’ potential for social change. 

• Enhanced skills and knowledge among practitioners. 

• Strengthened collaboration and partnerships. 

• Policy recommendations for supporting community networks. 

• A sustainable model for ongoing community-driven connectivity initiatives 

GET INVOLVED:

Join us at the CNX-APAC Nepal Chapter event and be part of a movement to bridge the digital divide and empower communities through connectivity. Whether you’re a practitioner, expert, policymaker, or community leader, your involvement can drive meaningful change and ensure a connected future for all.

For more information, please contact at: CNX-Nepal@nif.org.np