Our Impact
It is impossible to imagine the world without the Internet. It has transformed how we live.
At the Internet Society, we work to bring the Internet to those who need it, while defending it from the forces that threaten it—so everyone has access to the opportunities it brings. Read about our work.
Using the Internet to Tackle the Gender Divide in Rural Pakistan
In parts of rural Pakistan, good jobs for women are scarce, and not everyone can afford higher education. In 2022, brothers Qaisar and Aftab Roonjha opened the doors to the WANG Lab of Innovation (WALI). The lab offers a strong Internet connection, hosts educational programs, and presents new opportunities for local women.Â
Empowering the Next Generation of Computer Networkers
When Innocent Sibanda discovered that some students could not access the Internet due to security concerns, he became determined to change this. Our hands-on computer networking course develops skills that open doors to employment, bring connectivity to communities, and make the Internet safer for everyone. After completing the course, Sibanda was able to make a difference at a local primary school.
Using the Internet to Advocate for Villagers’ Rights
Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous terrain can make remote villages, like Zardaly, difficult to connect. Zardaly and other villages had been seeking improvements for decades, but even the government said they were too hard to reach. When Zardaly finally gained Internet access with the help of the Internet Society Kyrgyzstan Chapter, the first thing the villagers did was advocate for their rights.
Narrowing the Digital Divide in Rwanda
Imagine having to walk three kilometers in the rain to find information or ride an hour on the bus for Internet access. This was the reality for teachers in a Rwandan village until our Rwanda Chapter, with funding from the Internet Society Foundation, built an Internet access center for the community. Internet access centers around Rwanda’s Bugesera district have connected thousands of teachers, students, and community members.
Bringing the Internet to One of the World’s Most Remote Places
Despite being just a few kilometers away from the famous Everest Trail in Nepal, the villages of Khunde and Khumjung have few economic opportunities. Some villagers work as guides or porters, and many young people leave to attend school or find work. But a local initiative we supported to build the highest community network in the world is creating opportunities closer to home. We also returned to train locals in computer and fiber networking so they can manage and troubleshoot the network.
Connecting the Indigenous Women of the South American Chaco
The Gran Chaco area spans Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina, and a small part of Brazil, and is home to several Indigenous peoples who rely primarily on agriculture. While some urban areas in the Chaco have Internet connectivity, others are cut off from the opportunities the Internet brings. The NANUM Mujeres Conectadas project, in partnership with us, is helping extend Internet access to remote communities. The project has worked with nearly twenty Nivaclé communities in Paraguay’s Boquerón department, connecting over a thousand people.
Meeting a Northern Community’s Needs with Reliable and Affordable Internet
There are 33 communities in Canada’s Northwest Territories, many of which are home to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. The territory’s vast geography and remote nature of many of the communities has made it difficult to introduce fast, affordable, and reliable Internet. The Internet Society helped find a solution that meets the community’s unique needs for connectivity—a lifeline during Canada’s most intense wildfire season on record.
Encryption Empowers and Protects People
Encryption safeguards the personal security of billions of people and the national security of countries around the world. As a member of the Global Encryption Coalition (GEC) Steering Committee, we promote and defend encryption in key places where it is under threat. Hear stories about how strong encryption is making a difference—empowering people and keeping them safe online and offline.
Protecting the Internet, Securing a Future of Opportunity
The Internet puts us closer to what we care about the most. It transforms our lives and our society for the better. It gives the gift of opportunity. But it doesn’t belong to a single person, government, or corporation—it’s a global resource made valuable by its borderless nature, vast and far-reaching. It is powered by many people, for many people. Here are some stories that show how we are protecting the Internet to keep it a valuable, life-transforming resource for everyone for years to come.
Using Internet Connectivity to Dismantle Historic Inequalities
Modern Internet can feel like a given in the United States, but even in the 21st century, areas without enough federal, state, and regional support are left in the cyber dark. Where traditional solutions failed to meet people’s Internet needs, a local entrepreneur brought connectivity to his community through a community network with support from the Internet Society.
The Power of Community Networks
Across the globe, people are uniting to establish and sustain their own Internet access in areas underserved by conventional providers. These visionaries, including farmers, students, entrepreneurs, teachers, and engineers, share a common objective: to connect their communities to the Internet. We help them. In the past three years, we have backed over 50 communities worldwide. Delve into their compelling narratives.
You Can Power Possibilities Too
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