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On 17 May 2026, MXR.world, along with partners the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), CDPP (Centre for Development Policy and Practice), and Crowd Product, celebrated World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) with a global virtual dialogue ‘From Connectivity to Capability: Building Inclusive Digital Societies‘. Telecommunications has evolved from basic voice networks to critical digital lifelines. This curated two-hour session brought together leaders from government, civil society, industry, and international organisations to examine progress, challenges and pathways forward.
SEGMENT I – Telecom Evolution and Social Inclusion
Craig Polk – Senior Program Manager, IEEE
Suchit Nanda – Advisor to the Chairperson, Reliance Foundation
Ashish Nainwal – Head of Marketing, Nokia Solutions & Networks India
SEGMENT II – Access, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship
Osama Manzar – Founder, Digital Empowerment Foundation
Anriette Esterhuysen – Senior Advisor, Association for Progressive Communications
Amir Ullah Khan – Member, Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPC) / Research Director, Centre for Development Policy and Practice
SEGMENT III – Ecosystem Collaboration
Chetan Kapoor – CEO, Tech Mahindra Foundation
Sonia Jorge – Executive Director, Global Digital Inclusion Partnership
Shalini Kala – Rural Development & Agriculture Specialist, ex-IDRC, WFP
VIDEO MESSAGES
Abdul Kayum – Advisor, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
Sally Wentworth – CEO & President, Internet Society
CLOSING REMARKS
Vinay Dora K – Crowd Product
Maitri Singh – Digital Empowerment Foundation
MODERATOR
Dr Madanmohan Rao – Co-Founder, MXR.world
#DigitalLifelines #WTISD #DigitalInclusion