Universal Service Funding:  An Effective Tool for Accelerating the
Deployment of Infrastructure and Use of ICT in sub-Sahara Africa
Participants for June 21st Session

AADLC – Association of African Distance Learning Centers was established in 2004 and has grown rapidly to include 12 distance learning centers located in Anglophone (Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda), Francophone (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d Ivoire, Mauritania and Senegal) and Lusophone (Mozambique) Africa.  The collective terrestrial footprint of AADLC covers 30,065,000 square kilometers, 54 countries and 900,000,000 people.  The members work collectively to establish arrangements, guidelines, strategies and to harmonize country regulations (as well as licensing agreements) to promote the expanded use of distance learning facilities.

DBI – Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) is an initiative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).  Based in Abuja, Nigeria, and created shortly after the deregulation of the telecom market in Nigeria, DBI provides hands-on training programs for professionals and practitioners in the telecom and IT industries to ensure that Nigeria has highly competent and home-grown personnel to meet employment demands of the fast growing telecom and IT sectors.  In addition to its technical programs, DBI educates policymakers, legislators, lawyers, bankers and others with duties or involvement in the telecom and IT sectors.  DBI is serving as broadband host for the project in Nigeria.

GDLN  - Global Distance Learning Network (GDLN) is a World Bank initiative of unique partnerships.  Operating under six Regions, the GDLN partners are comprised of public, private, academic and non-governmental organizations that provide interactive, multi-channel, multi-mode distance learning exchanges under a development mandate, and include over 120 learning centers (Affiliates) located in nearly 80 countries around the world.  The partners of GDLN work together to promote capacity building efforts, share knowledge and provide training in the most cost-effective manner.

ILI – International Law Institute (ILI) was founded in 1955 as a part of Georgetown University Law School.  Now an independent non-profit, ILI serves an international constituency of government officials, legal and business professionals and scholars.  Its mission is to raise professional competence in all nations, and has provided training to more than 14,000 officials and practitioners representing 185 countries.  It also advises governments and publishes scholarly books.  ILI has regional centers in Kampala, Uganda; Abuja, Nigeria; Cairo, Egypt; Santiago, Chile, and Hong Kong.  ILI is a co-principal sponsor of these capacity building exchanges.
 
IITD – Institute of International Trade & Development (IITD) is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that promotes the expanded use of ICT in the development process.  It works with policymakers and the private sector to accelerate deployment of ICT infrastructure in the developing nation sector, and the creation of policies that promote self-sustainability.  Its professional staff includes specialists in telecom law and policy, community health programs, economic development, and disaster management. 

IITD is currently involved in regional ICT projects in the Caribbean and Africa, and is a co-principal sponsor of these capacity building exchanges

Internet2 – Internet2 is the foremost U.S. advanced networking consortium. Led by the research and education community since 1996, Internet2 promotes the missions of its members by providing both leading-edge network capabilities and unique partnership opportunities that together facilitate the development, deployment and use of revolutionary Internet technologies. By bringing research and academia together with technology leaders from industry, government and the international community, Internet2 promotes collaboration and innovation that has a fundamental impact on the future of the Internet. It works to form peer-level relationships outside the U.S. and to promote the development of research and education networks worldwide.

Featured Regulators

Federal Communications Commission

Nigerian Communications Commission

4201 Connecticut Ave.  NW, Suite 402   Washington, DC   20008     Phone: 202.537.1010  Fax: 202.244.2628

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