March 23, 2015
EDSA Shangri-La, Manila, Philippines
Background
2014 was a milestone year for the Internet when the number of connected devices surpassing the number of people in the world. Throughout the world, the Internet is enabling interconnections among traditionally siloed processes and entities and is further transforming our economic and social lives. Against the background of hyper-connected world with smart phones, social media, and Internet of Things (IoT), the time is ripe to recast the digital divide debate for ASEAN.
This is so for two reasons. First, ASEAN as a whole still lags behind the world average in terms of the Internet penetration. Many countries in the region still suffer from poor coverage, low bandwidth and unaffordable access. As the Internet becomes more pervasive, the cost of not getting online would only mount. Second, against the backdrop of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), countries need to look beyond basic connectivity and focus on the interconnectivity of the Internet, which will underpin the economic integration and social inclusion in ASEAN and usher in the digital economy.
In this context, the Internet Society Asia Pacific Bureau is launching a study that looks at unleashing the potential of the Internet for building a digital economy. Through this study launch-cum-forum, ISOC hopes to discuss key findings and solicit advice and support from key regional and national stakeholders translate the recommendations of the report into actions.
Read the Internet Society’s press release on “New Report from Internet Society Outlines Steps for Unleashing the Potential of the Internet in S.E. Asia“.
For photos from this event, click here.
Programme
| 14:30 – 15:00 | REGISTRATION |
| 15:00 – 15:05 | OPENING ADDRESS Rajnesh Singh, Regional Director, ISOC Asia Pacific |
| 15:05 – 15:20 | KEYNOTE ADDRESS Louis Casambre, Executive Director, ICT Office and Under-Secretary, DOST, the Philippines |
| 15:20 – 15:40 | LAUNCH OF “UNLEASHING INTERNET’S POTENTIAL FOR ASEAN ECONOMIES” This session will be in a dialogue format between Rajnesh Singh and Peter Lovelock on the context, findings and key recommendations of the report. |
| 15:40 – 16:30 | PANEL DISCUSSION 1: DIGITAL ECONOMY IN ASEAN In this session, the panellists would share their views on the state of the Internet ecosystem in Asia-Pacific from infrastructure, adoption and regulatory environment. The discussion will focus on what needs to be cone to overcome connectivity challenges and realise the benefits promised by the Internet in economic and social arenas. Panellists:
Moderated by: Dr. Peter Lovelock, Director, TRPC |
| 16:30 – 16:50 | Coffee break |
| 16:50– 17:40 | PANEL DISCUSSION: TOWARDS THE DIGITAL PHILIPPINES In this session, the panellists would share various initiatives from the government and the private sector to improve the Internet connectivity and promote innovations and growth of the digital economy in the Philippines.
Moderated by: Winthrop Yu, ISOC Philippines |
| 17:40 – 18:00 | WRAP-UP AND CLOSING |
| 18:00 – 20:00 | COCKTAIL AND NETWORKING SESSION |
