Philippines-based volunteer of unconnected.org joins the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) at Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last 15-19 December 2024 as a Fellow. 

John Gilbert Ora’a, active volunteer of unconnected.org as well as a core member of internet-affiliated organizations such as the Philippine Network Operators Group (PhNOG) and of Internet Society Philippine Chapter, went to the Middle East to learn best practices on community network initiatives and to raise awareness on the role of sustainability in establishing meaningful connectivity for rural and unserved communities. 

Bringing with himself expertise as a fiber technologist with a telecommunications company, and with his electronics engineering background, Gilbert participated in sessions that closely aligned with the objectives of unconnected.org especially on equipping learners with the internet as a tool for growth and development. 

Communities with established connectivity in rural and remote areas can be counted by the hand in the Philippines. With unconnected.org’s partnership with key service providers, we aim to increase these numbers and reach more lives. Volunteers are essential in achieving our shared mission of establishing community networks, aimed at building capacity of users on digital literacy and online safety.