Zuckerberg pledges internet in refugee camps
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UNITED NATIONS: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg believes the site will help the international community implement a sweeping new sustainable development agenda.
Zuckerberg said Facebook is partnering with the United Nations (UN) agency for refugees to bring the Internet to refugee camps.
"Connectivity will help refugees better access support from the aid community and maintain their links to families," he said.
Addressing the UN Private Sector Forum, he said wide Internet access "needs to be at the heart of the global development strategy" to address new challenges and needs of the new generation.
In the long term, Zuckerberg said, Facebook will help UN agencies develop tools to track progress toward implementing the development goals.
"Data can help us make smarter decisions but only if you can interpret it quickly and with confidence, so we want to help the UN make decisions that will advance our goals."
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Comments (20) Closed
Sep 27, 2015 09:22am
Er...I think that the refugees are in urgent need of an immediate shelter, not internet.
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Sep 27, 2015 11:40am
@:) Yep But Connectivity with the World is also crucial for them as it can help them attaining more World's attention.
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Sep 27, 2015 11:56am
He has got a point.
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Sep 27, 2015 12:17pm
Disconnect to connect !!!
A message for all, not only refugees, when was the last time, you actually sat with your parents or siblings for an hour without looking at your mobile or PC.
Disconnect to connect !!!
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Sep 27, 2015 01:25pm
Indirectly saying come on Facebook & join our community. The same money being put up can be used to secure better shelter, food, water, medicines, blankets (winter is fast approaching). without internet they will not die but surely w/o basic supplies.How many refugees will be literate to use the net?
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Sep 27, 2015 01:28pm
He should start thinking about providing foo and clothes. They can't eat or wear internet.
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Sep 27, 2015 01:40pm
@TheMan Disconnect to connect works for you and me. I have stayed away from facebook myself and dislike Zuckerberg's anti-net-neutrality promotions in India. But being zoned out in the Internet is hardly a problem for refugees. After being broken from their communities and families, connectivity is something they desperately need. Few people need Internet (and any other communication platform) more than them.
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Sep 27, 2015 02:07pm
Refugees need real respect, food, and shelter; and not the Internet virtuals. Can Zukerberg think about anything other than the Internet?
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Sep 27, 2015 02:33pm
While it may appear crass and thoughtless idea but think about it. Refugees would be able to give a true picture of their conditions compared to media hyped stories. Hopefully it will serve as an eye opener to lots of Europeans who are opposed to welcoming them.
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Sep 27, 2015 05:31pm
@weqjan;
'Can Zukerberg think about anything other than the Internet?'
Yes he can. Money!!
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Sep 27, 2015 07:12pm
Easy to keep an eye on individuals via ether for any sinister move.
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Sep 27, 2015 08:34pm
Since Mark is contributing for 'Big Data Analysis', so that UNs can track the record of Refugees' obnoxious activities, is good by the way for global peace and security.
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Sep 27, 2015 09:02pm
I think the readers don't understand, what his saying is that internet to be provided in refugee camps, this means that they already have shelter, food etc.Btw they are refugees ,not a bunch of illiterates.He is doing what he knows best other orgs will do their part.He is one of the best jews who was one of the first to support the US muslim boy. People should give credit where due regardless of religion.
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Sep 27, 2015 09:22pm
first, I thought the same, that refugees need food and shelter not internet. but Mark is right, internetcan be used to monitor food supply, refugees' problem in camps and help them get in touch with their families.
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Sep 28, 2015 12:12am
Any company can do what they do best so he is right he can help with connectivity
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Sep 28, 2015 01:15am
for all the arm chair warriors, bashing Zuckerberg, did your PM bother to do anything? Did he set aside a day to visit the Syrian refugees in Europe, while he was socializing in London? Did he pledge ANYTHING??
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Sep 28, 2015 02:51am
Townhall Q&A with PM Modi and Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook HQ in San Jose, California
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Sep 28, 2015 03:14am
@haider;
The people bashing Zuckerberg are mostly the same as who as bashing our prime minister.
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Sep 28, 2015 03:20am
@NY;
You are belittling connectivity, connectivity takes hardware, circuits and chips, the electronic type, not deep-fried.
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Sep 28, 2015 07:43am
And UAE offering 1 mosque per 10 refugee in Germany. See the difference between both these.
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