Sarantaporo.gr Non-Profit Organization successfully participated in the international conference "Connecting the Unconnected: Europe & Beyond", organized by the Internet Society in collaboration with the Union of Operators of Armenia, held on June 6-7, 2023, in Yerevan, Armenia. The conference brought together specialized professionals and stakeholders from the technology and telecommunications sectors from various countries. Sarantaporo.gr was represented by Achilleas Vaitsis and Georgios Kleisiaris, both founders, board members, and administrators of the organization. The conference aimed to explore the challenges and solutions for enhancing connectivity, focusing on innovative solutions for connecting remote areas, with particular emphasis on wireless community networks.
During the conference, Georgios Kleisiaris participated in two key panel discussions. In the panel titled “Innovative Financing Mechanisms and Solutions,” he analyzed the challenges and funding opportunities for supporting wireless community networks in remote areas. In the panel “Technical Challenges and Opportunities,” he presented the technical challenges faced by wireless community networks, focusing on the experience of Sarantaporo.gr and the example of the Sarantaporo.gr Wireless Community Network, highlighting the successes and challenges in developing wireless community networks in remote areas.
Additionally, Georgios Kleisiaris participated in a presentation titled “Internet Access as a Key to Community Empowerment,” where he discussed the importance of internet access as a tool for empowering local communities, referencing the contribution of the Sarantaporo.gr Wireless Community Network in upgrading digital infrastructure and enhancing social cohesion.
Award
The participation of Sarantaporo.gr in the conference received recognition for the organization's ongoing contribution to the development of community networks. At the end of the conference, Georgios Kleisiaris was honored with a special award by the Internet Society for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Sarantaporo.gr Wireless Community Network. The award recognized his valuable contribution to the organization’s efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure in areas with limited or no internet access and support social cohesion through technology.
In his statement, Georgios Kleisiaris said:
"This recognition confirms the importance of collaboration between communities and technology providers in bridging the digital divide. Sarantaporo.gr continues to promote cooperation, innovation, and sustainability in local communities, bringing people and technology together for a better digital future."
Georgios Kleisiaris,
Founder, Board Member, and Administrator of Sarantaporo.gr Non-Profit Organization
See photos from the conference here.
