What will the world be like without the internet? The answer will be close to something unimaginable. The whole world is virtually at the palm of everyone's hands because of internet connection. Everyone sees and knows what's happening around him, and everyone is just within one another's reach because of the internet.
But what about remote areas around the world which are not equipped with the internet? Are pictures and posts taken from those places enough to reach their residents and even improve their conditions? Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made a call to world leaders to ensure global internet connectivity by the year 2020, through a speech he delivered in the United Nations Private Forum on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The creator of internet's largest social platform said in his address that greater internet connectivity is necessary to "give voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless." According to a report from DNAIndia, Zuckerberg stressed in his address that internet connection is vital in helping end poverty in impoverished communities. He also iterated how the internet plays an important part in enabling people to also have jobs to better their economic situation.
"Connecting the world is one of the fundamental challenges of our generation," Zuckerberg said adding that wide Internet access "needs to be at the heart of the global development strategy" Zuckerberg said. The young CEO has also spearheaded a campaign for global internet connectivity, enlisting the help of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and pop superstars Shakira and Bono, as well as business tycoon Richard Branson.
Zuckerberg has earlier released a Facebook statement saying the internet is crucial to reaching global goals. Zuckerberg further elaborated in his speech, "By connecting more people in developing countries, we have an opportunity to create more than 140 million new jobs, lift 160 million people out of poverty and give more than 600 million children access to affordable learning tools."
