OneWebDay 2009 and One Internet Day 2009
(originally posted at www.piusonline.com)
This year for the first time, the Philippines through the Philippine Internet Users Society (PIUS) together with Events Philippines and various partner organizations which includes media organizations, non-government organizations, entrepreneurs, businesses, educational institutions and others have joined hand to officially marked OneWebDay - "The Internet Day" on September 22, 2009 at Mall of Asia.
On September 22, 2006 the first ever OneWebDay was celebrated. The idea was created by Susan P. Crawford, who set up the web site, traveled to different cities to encourage people to celebrate OneWebDay, and persuaded the initial group of evangelists to celebrate the day. David Weinberger, Mary Hodder, and David Isenberg (all OneWebDay Board members) were heavily involved in brainstorming about OneWebDay in 2005-06.
We in the Philippines are perhaps far ahead from those in the United States, that is why way before the OneWebDay, Janette Toral and others have actually started celebrating an equivalent event to One Internet Day here in the Philippines in 2000. Although not a regular annual event it was an attempt to really make the internet more accessible to everyone.
I would like to thank all those who are working to really work for a better internet access in the country including those that organized events like Software Freedom Day, Joomla Day and other similar events every year. These events provide greater access, awareness and empowerment to internet users in our country.
I would also like to invite everyone to join the The ProFora Media Lightbulb Sessions and be empowered.
Now let me quote from the official history published in Wikipedia:
OneWebDay is a day when users of the World Wide Web are encouraged to show how the Internet affects their lives. It is held on September 22. The purpose of the event is to globally celebrate online life. The goal of celebrating OneWebDay each year is to create and make visible a global constituency that cares about the future of the Internet.
The first ever OneWebDay was held on September 22, 2006. The idea was created by Susan P. Crawford, who set up the web site, traveled to different cities to encourage people to celebrate OneWebDay, and persuaded the initial group of evangelists to celebrate the day. David Weinberger, Mary Hodder, and David Isenberg (all OneWebDay Board members) were heavily involved in brainstorming about OneWebDay in 2005-06.
The first OneWebDay's anchor celebration in 2006 featured Craig Newmark, Scott Heiferman, and Drew Schutte as speakers in New York City's Battery Park.
In 2008 OneWebDay was celebrated at more than 30 international events. In Washington Square Park NYC speakers included John Perry Barlow, Jonathan Zittrain, Craig Newmark, and Lawrence Lessig.
In May 2009, after founder Susan Crawford had joined the Obama administration, Mitch Kapor took over chairmanship of OneWebDay. It was also announced that a major funding grant had been granted by the Ford Foundation.
I hope that we come together as one and celebrate in unity. Let us thank the effort of people who tries to make a difference for all of us internet users.
Happy OneWebDay on September 22!
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