Internet Changemakers

In the fifth episode of Internet Changemakers, hosts Noha Ashraf AbdelBaky and Claire van Zwieten sit down with Kim Ochs, PhD., an educator and researcher specializing in lifelong learning and education technology, and Isaac Carrasco Ortiz, a sociologist and digital literacy advocate, to explore how the Internet connects—and often divides—different generations. This episode, The Digital Age Divide, underscores that the nternet is a shared space across ages—one that thrives when everyone feels empowered to participate with curiosity, confidence, and care.

Isaac shares how his journey into digital literacy work began unexpectedly through community teaching with older adults in Massachusetts. It’s one thing to work with older adults. It’s another thing to teach technology. But it’s a third thing entirely to teach older
adults about technology. Through that work, he discovered the importance of confidence, empathy, and cross-generational understanding in shaping how people connect online.

Kim offers a framework for understanding digital literacy and draws on her experience teaching multigenerational classrooms to challenge the idea that digital literacy is tied to age. We often assume young people are skilled and older adults are not, but both
groups are incredibly diverse. It has more to do with context, confidence, and motivation
than chronology.

The conversation also takes on the urgent issue of trust and safety online, especially for older generations navigating scams, misinformation, and privacy threats. Both guests emphasize that security skills are an essential dimension of digital literacy and agree
that building digital confidence—through mentorship, community programs, and intergenerational collaboration—is key to a safer, more inclusive Internet. The guests call for stakeholders to engage together and work towards a new digital human synchronicity, where learning and adaptation are seen as lifelong processes, not bound by generational stereotypes.

In the fourth episode of Internet Changemakers, hosts Claire van Zwieten and Yug Desai explore the science and strategy behind Internet measurement—how we track outages, latency, and even hidden surveillance across the global Internet ecosystem. Joined by leading researchers Dr. Alexander Gamero-Garrido (Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Davis) and Anand Raje (Co-Founder and CTO, India Internet Foundation (IIFON)), the conversation uncovers how data and measurement are shaping a more open, resilient, and secure Internet for everyone. Both guests emphasize that data-driven storytelling is essential for the Internet’s future. Whether highlighting unstable local connections, revealing how certain regions are left digitally dependent on faraway servers, or equipping policymakers with evidence to craft and enforce regulations, measurement is the key to transparency and resilience. In summary, Episode 4 makes clear: the Internet’s true state is hidden in vast streams of data. Measurement is how we find the truth, tell the stories, and build a digital world fit for the future.

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The Internet is no longer optional — it’s vital to lives and livelihoods. Yet 2.6 billion people remain unconnected, and it’s being fragmented along national borders, threatening innovation and global progress. Online security fears are rising fast.

In the third episode of Internet Changemakers, hosts Claire van Zwieten and Noha Ashraf AbdelBaky explore the human stories and technical realities of Internet connectivity with guests Cedrick Mbeyet and Lito Ibarra, often called the “father of the Internet in El Salvador.” Together, they unpack what it really means to be connected—not just as a technological achievement, but as a social and cultural milestone. The discussion spotlights the persistent global challenge of unequal access. For millions, getting online remains a daily struggle—one shaped by geography, economics, and policy. Yet, as Cedrick reminds us, connectivity is more than infrastructure: “Moving from the source to the destination includes so many things that we don’t take into consideration.”

This episode clearly shows how innovation, collaboration, and resilience are helping bridge the digital divide and why connectivity must be seen not only as a technical resource but also as a driver of inclusion, opportunity, and community empowerment.

CONSIDER A DONATION
The Internet is no longer optional — it’s vital to lives and livelihoods. Yet 2.6 billion people remain unconnected, and it’s being fragmented along national borders, threatening innovation and global progress. Online security fears are rising fast.

In the second episode of Internet Changemakers, hosts Yug Desai and Claire van Zwieten are joined by Alan Ramírez García and Everton Teles Rodrigues, prominent representatives of the Latin American Internet community and alumni of the Internet Society Mid-career Fellowship (2023). Alan and Everton share their earliest memories of discovering the Internet in the 1990s, reflecting on how their initial curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge defined their online journeys.

The conversation delves into the complexities of the Internet ecosystem, exploring who “runs” the Internetand the vital roles played by a range of stakeholders—from governments and the private sector to civil society and the technical community. Both guests emphasize the importance of the multi-stakeholder model in creating a dynamic and resilient Internet that serves users worldwide.

The episode highlights the essential work required to preserve a trustworthy and globally connected Internet in the face of new challenges. Key topics include the emergence and significance of national and regional Internet Governance Forums (IGFs), particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as ongoing efforts to address local challenges, such as rural connectivity. Everton explains the historical and evolving role of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in managing Internet resources. At the same time, Alan shares insights into the IGF’s multi-stakeholder Advisory Group and its consensus-driven processes.

This episode also examines the Internet Society’s impact, providing technical leadership, advocating for an open and secure Internet, supporting community networks, and empowering professionals through educational programs, such as the Mid-Career Fellowship.