EIFL has joined 14 other international organizations in signing a letter calling for universal, open, secure, and affordable broadband connectivity, with full protection of human rights.

The letter calls on Finance Ministers, who are taking part in the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington from 15 - 17 April 2016, to support facilities such as public libraries to provide access to information and communication technology (ICT).

“ICTs provide economic opportunities to urban and rural populations, men, women and youth, and to marginalized communities.

“Despite the growing access to broadband, over four billion people lack access to the internet. As civil society organizations, we cannot accept this enormous digital divide, which prevents the exercise of fundamental human rights for all. Such inequality also reveals an untapped development opportunity,” the letter says.

The letter also welcomes initiatives such as Global Connect, which aims to bring internet connectivity to 1.5 billion more people by 2020. EIFL also joined in stakeholders’ meetings during the Global Connect Initiative Conference in Washington on 13-14 April 2016.

EIFL has signed the joint letter as a participant in the Bestbits network, which brings together organizations aiming to advance civil society interests in Internet governance.

Read the full text of the letter.