Provincial Level Discussion Program Dhangadi

Internet Society (ISOC) Nepal organized a Provincial Level Discussion program in Dhangadi on December 11, 2019. The event was attended by 28 people representing different stakeholders. The objectives of the program were to expand the ISOC Nepal’s engagement, collaboration and networking with the provincial stakeholders and to promote the core value of Internet Society with wider audiences. Mr. Tanka Aryal, Treasurer of the ISOC Nepal Chapter facilitated the sessions. The first session was on history, objectives and major engagements/activities of the Internet Society and Internet Society Nepal Chapter. He described the core values of Internet Society and told that it was founded in 1992 to provide leadership in Internet-related standards, education, access, and policy. Similarly, he shared that how multi stakeholders collaborate to promote the open development, evolution and use of internet for the benefit of people throughout the world. Internet Society Nepal Chapter started in 2009 and has been working on research and development, policy intervention, cyber security and community connection issues in association with concerned stakeholders. Similarly, Nepal IGF (Internet Governance Forum) and NP SIG ( School of Internet Governance) are regular annual events of ISOC Nepal, shared Mr. Aryal. In the second session, there was discussion on the context and issues related to internet in Sudurpachhim Province. The major issues were accessibility, quality, price and use of internet to improve human life. How social media use is understood as internet and how people understand the misuse of internet including providing platform for financial fraud and child marriage were also discussed. The program identified the need of collaborative engagement among service providers and users, awareness among stakeholders on security and effective use of internet and availability of the platforms to promote startup IT and related career. Civil society representatives, journalists, IT professionals, students, internet service providers, officials from local governments and bank professionals were the major participants of the event. The event was widely covered by the local radio and online media too.

https://www.kerninews.com/2019/12/11/10741/
https://www.morningbelldaily.com/2019/12/438/