#InternetForEveryone
About
The Internet Society Zambia Chapter is an affiliate of the Internet Society whose work aligns with its goal and mission to get more people connected to the internet. The Chapter focuses on ensuring there is increased internet access in the country in a bid to reduce the digital divide.
The chapter works towards contributing to increased internet access through its work; contributing to policy and regulation that favours increased internet access, education on what the internet offers and how it can be effectively used and contribute to development of the Zambian internet architecture and infrastructure.
Since inception, the chapter has been actively engaged in contributing to policy and regulation related to internet access and its usage. Additionally, the bigger part has been raising awareness in the power of the internet and how it can be used to foster development. Further, the chapter embarked on projects aimed at bridging the digital divide through strengthening the technical community and connecting schools (pilot project) to digital content for schools with computer labs yet without internet access.
OUR FOCUS
Empowering People to take Action
As a way to increase capacity for citizens to participate in internet governance related issues, the chapter has conducted several trainings on various issues related to internet access and governance such as safety online, and leveraging data for business growth among others.
Further, the chapter started the flagship program, Zambia School on Internet Governance (ZambiaSIG) to increase capacity for Zambians to actively engage in internet governance at local, regional and global scale.
Supporting Internet Architecture and infrastructure Development
The chapter’s role in light of the architecture and infrastructure development is supporting and actively engaging the technical community on projects aimed at supporting the development of the internet in the country.
This is through DNS related capacity building projects, supporting projects aimed at reducing or bridging the digital divide in the country.
Informing Policy and Regulation
We understand the underpinning role of policy and regulation in shaping the internet. Aside from actively engaging government on policy and regulation related issues, the chapter works with other organisations to advocate and support initiatives whose role is to influence human rights centered laws and policies.
Join Us Today
Regardless of your background, you are an internet user and can contribute to its development and growth. To become a member, Join here
OUR PROJECTS - INITIATIVES
- Zambia School on Internet Governance (ZambiaSIG)
The school originated from a realisation of having few Zambians involved in regional and global internet governance forums and related platforms. The effect is that internet laws and policies can be made without a Zambian voice.
As a way to build capacity thereby seeing more Zambians involved in actively in the Internet Governance ecosystem, the school was founded.
So far, the school has seen a few Zambians become internet ambassadors with a goal to raise awareness on internet related issues.
The school focuses on the following issue
- Internet Governance and the Key players by Internet Society
- ICANN’s Role in Internet Governance
- Universal Acceptance
- Engagement in Internet Governance
- The legal and regulatory frameworks on Internet Governance
- Zambia Internet Landscape – history and developments
- Digital Marketing and Digital Skills
- And many other topics
Partners/sponsors
OUR ONGOING PROJECT(S)
- Digital Education Hub – e-ngoma, L3 Schools + ISOC
The goal of this project is to allow for schools in both urban and rural areas without internet access and/or power yet with computer labs have access to digital content with real-time surfing experience.
The initiative allows for development of content for local schools focused on the Zambian curriculum with video aid yet not limited to local content. Wikipedia, Khan Academy content and other learning platforms are accessible with room for quizzes to assess pupils’ performance.
The platform used allows for tracking of usage and improvement in performance for the learners.
Our DNS Security Workshop with ICANN at SAFNOG-8
With support from ICANN, a DNS security workshop was hosted and co-organised by the Internet Society Zambia Chapter at the 8th SAFNOG.
The workshop showed local ISPs, Telecoms and other DNS operators and some law enforcement officers among those managing various aspects of DNS tools used in DNS validation and DNS security among others.
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Highlights of the 2nd ZambiaSIG
ZambiaSIG highlight
Our flagship program aimed at increasing capacity for participation in Internet Governance related work. More details in the video.
- Zambia Youth IGF (ZYIGF)
Internet governance cannot be done without the contribution of the youths, who in this day, are majority of the internet users.
Engaging youths in conversations shaping the internet becomes critical. Thus, the Zambia Youth Internet Governance Forum (ZYIGF) becomes a critical platform for getting youth voices in one place.
Highlights from the 1st Zambia Youth IGF
Our 1st Zambia Youth IGF was held successfully, with support from our partners.
Cybersecurity Awareness
Everyone needs to know the basics of cybersecurity to protect themselves online. Cybercriminals often take advantage of those ignorant of cyber threats to a level that they trust the online space and drop their security guard.
Digital Rights Online
Just like in the Physical space allows for enjoyments of human rights, the online space provides for such enjoyment of the digital rights.
The key takeaway is that enjoyment of freedom online is equally limited and subject to regulation for everyone’s safety.
AI and the Job Market
The past few years have seen an increase in conversations on AI and its impact. However, the job market is one of the areas affected and everyone in employment needs to prepare themselves for this tech development. It can be used for good to advance oneself or allow for AI to see some people out of employment due to automation.
Reimagining our Internet Access
So far, there is no internet infrastructure solely owned by Africa or an African nation yet Africa in the next few years is projected to be having majority internet users being from Africa. As such, there is need for Zambia and other African countries to develop and build its own core internet architecture and Infrastructure.
Digital Activism (Social Media Impact on Advocacy)
A lesson on the power of the internet in keeping government accountable and influencing change. The internet, social media in this case, was seen to have played a big role in seeing a huge turnout of Zambians protest against abuse and/or misuse of public funds. The #YellowCard Card campaign proved effective in calling for accountability in how government used public resources.
The initiative, #YellowCard campaign was done by Alliance for Community Action (ACA) and its partners.
