Hi everyone! Reminder that today @ 12 PM, we will be having our first CHANGE talk of the quarter (we are still hybrid!). We will be hearing from Alphonce Odhiambo from Tunapanda Community Networks in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya. Alphonce's talk is titled "A Devolved Internet for Meaningful Connectivity". Tunapanda Institute is one of the oldest community networks in Africa! *Description* The Internet has become a critical part of community livelihoods. However, the Internet was designed in a way that doesn't meet the needs of a number of remote, underserved, and marginalized communities. Devolution of the internet has a potential to intersect and change community livelihoods. How do community networks play a part? This talk will discuss some ongoing efforts in Africa to devolve the Internet to community-run and -maintained infrastructure and actors. Additionally, I'll speak to other changes beyond the technical that are necessary in order for devolution to be successful and sustainable. *Seminar Details* *Location*: Tuesdays from 12-1pm in 271 CSE2 (The Bill and Melinda Gates Center) *Zoom:* https://washington.zoom.us/j/93100061611 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/washington.zoom.us/j/93100061611__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!jLJRdcRiY3moGftAfI2tKd830IN_o6aaIpd50l7QTSaufUz7DDxsbdqGg6ZBKiJ6DZsrD6cWm0NJtD4y81ZEmg$> *Presenter Bio* Alphonce is a network and infrastructure services engineer who believes in the power of knowledge as a tool for revolution. He has a deep interest and passion in technology, research, and article writing and spends most of his time exploring community networks, software development and design thinking methodologies, and the role of technology in the socio-economic and cultural heritage space. He advocates for devolved internet access to communities and internet governance through local initiatives and programs to address digital sovereignty and devolution. He is a member of Internet Society where he serves as the President of the Internet Society Kenya Chapter, he holds membership with various groups and organizations including but not limited to Engineers Beyond Borders Sweden, Technical University Alumni, and Community Networks Group, Africa School of Internet Governance, among others. Alphonce leads Obalwanda Students Association (OBSA) which is a youth-led initiative that aims to support and promote learning culture and education among young teenagers. Alphonce currently serves as the CEO of the Tunapanda Community Network which is involved in community outreach and engagement, facilitating community digital training workshops, network deployment, and maintenance. Alphonce is also the founder of Diamond Software Solutions, which aims to promote digital innovation and meaningful use of digital resources, training and mentoring young developers to become self-sufficient and innovative problem solvers. Alphonce is also a poet and enjoys martial arts. Best, UW Change Organizers ______________________