Philippine Internet Users Society (PIUS) Invites Everyone for OWD
The Philippine Internet Users Society (PIUS) enjoins all internet users and all computer-based businesses and establishments to support the Sept 22 ”OneWebDay,” the global celebration of the internet. The first step is to REGISTER ONLINE AND JOIN THE ADVOCACY.First in the Philippines. The OneWebDay Jam on Sept. 22 will be the first ever celebration in the Philippines. Aside from the jam there are also various activities which includes Blogging Competition, Visual Art Competition, Battle of the Bands, Online Pinoy Entrepreneurs Grand Eyeball, Free PC Repair and a Cyberzone Activity in SM City Baliwag.
It is the 4th year that OWD is to be celebrated globally in several other countries led by the U.S., where the New York-based OneWebDay non-profit organization is based. This year, about 50 countries are expected to join the global OneWebDay celebration.
OneWebDay was founded in 2006 by Ms. Susan Crawford, who is now an adviser of U.S. Pres. Barack Obama on science, technology, and innovation policy at the National Economic Council.
Go for the Next One Billion. PIUS maintains close linkages with OneWebDay Inc. and other organizations, which are supporting the United Nations Internet Governance Forum‘s (IGF) target of the next ONE BILLION new Internet Users.
PIUS Chief executive Officer Michael M. Alunan said “PIUS supports this advocacy,” adding that PIUS itself has fully embraced it with its slogan “Empowering Everyone thru Computer-Internet Access,” which will be emphasized during the Sept. 22 OneWebDay celebration.
And because OneWebDay is being organized like a movement, Alunan said commercial establishments, malls, schools, etc. are encouraged to join the OneWebDay celebration, similar to the support for the Earth Day Hour last April 22. Internet shops nationwide will also be encouraged to offer free tutorials to non-users, for an hour, half-day or even an entire day, to support the cause , while generating new customers for them.
He also called on “all internet users and all Filipinos, particularly the youth among the Poor, to email and send over their suggestions and proposals on how the PIUS-OneWebDay advocacy can be pushed so that every internet user is empowered by the treasure trove of information and ideas that the Internet can offer.”
Big Bang celebration. Alunan said PIUS will also hold various pocket events and local support activities being volunteered by various partner advocates. These events, some of which will be held days before Sept. 22, will also contribute to the OneWebDay event and the overall advocacy of PIUS.
Various groups and individuals are also encouraged to volunteer and initiate their own OneWebDay events. They just have to coordinate and inform PIUS office by email at info@piusonline.org. If they support the PIUS advocacy, they may also send their respective logos and join its growing list of advocates and volunteers. Even the PIUS website is being continuously developed by youth groups and volunteers.
All these activities can be stringed and consolidated together into one big celebration that can simultaneously be done nationwide. He also appealed on the Telecommunication companies, the computer manufacturers, software developers, internet schools, and every stakeholder in the broad ICT sector to step forward contribute their share and support this advocacy by sponsoring possibly some of the planned events. After all, their support will eventually redound to their own benefit as the mounting advocacy and the reforms to be pushed by PIUS will help increase the demand for broadband internet services, computers, accessories, software and various auxiliary products and services.
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