OneWebDay and Digital Inclusion in DC: Connecting the Global to the Local

When I moved to Washington, I understood that I was entering a rarefied space where national policy dominates, but I was curious to see how this interacted with the local. I’m not talking about inside versus outside the beltway, but rather how the people who live in the beltway solve the problems that are unique to their own community. I wondered if this space peopled with those who concern themselves with national policy ever concern themselves with community service, if there was any interaction?

As I began work to coordinate the local Washington, DC celebration of OneWebDay for the Media & Democracy Coalition, I found that I had the perfect opportunity to answer my own question. This year’s OneWebDay theme – One Web. For All – was a natural fit for the Coalition because we can bring national broadband policy experts together; however, we also facilitate interaction between local and national organizations. This was an opportunity to connect with local Washington, DC groups that drive digital inclusion efforts in the place where policy is made.

I immediately found two groups that do this work. The first of these, Mi Tierra, promotes the participation of Latino immigrants and their families in the formal financial system. They have found that basic computer skills and Internet access are essential to this work. The second, Byte Back, provides training for under- and unemployed workers so they have the marketable skills necessary to obtain employment in today’s job market. Unsurprisingly, this means hands-on computer training that allows these workers to keep pace with the rest of society.

Both of these organizations are tackling big issues, and both recognize that digital inclusion is imperative to their progress. If not for these groups many of our fellow citizens in Washington, DC would not have access to the technology we all know is imperative to opportunity and progress in the modern world. And sadly, in city where there is a wealth of expertise and brainpower that could be of service, both of these organizations still struggle to recruit volunteers.

During OneWebDay’s service week – September 14-18 – we will encourage Washington residents to seek out these organizations and take advantage of the many volunteer opportunities they provide. As we all continue to work on national media and telecommunications policy, it is vitally important that we continue to engage with our immediate community on these issues.

The Media and Democracy Coalition is a collaboration of over two dozen local and national organizations committed to promoting open and equal access to a democratic media system that serves the public interest. We are coordinating Washington, DC’s OneWebDay celebration.

Chance Williams is the Program and Outreach Manager for the Media and Democracy Coalition. He can be reached at cwilliams (at) media-democracy (dot) net.