Tech Policy Classes in Washington, D.C.
From May 1-5, 2023, the Center for Executive Education in Technology Policy hosted a week-long in-person program in Washington D.C. at Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute in Arlington, VA.
Our group of participants represented 16 different developing countries including the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Indonesia, the Czech Republic, Mozambique, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Mozambique, Botswana, Vanuatu, Chile, Tuvalu, Cabo Verde, and Liberia. Our instructors and guest speakers also offered unique perspectives with an instructor from Trinidad and Tobago and a guest speaker from Mexico. Our Washington D.C. cohort comprised 43% women, representing 10 different countries.
The week started with a one-day class on Enabling Gender Diversity in Telecommunications, co-led by Jennifer Manner, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for EchoStar Corporation and Chair of the Network of Women for CITEL for the 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference and Kim Mallalieu, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago. The class encouraged participants to identify key national commitments related to diversity, evaluate the status of the country’s diversity in telecommunications and create context-appropriate strategies to increase and evaluate diversity in representation at regional, national, and international telecommunication fora. The class ended with participants completing a case study on promoting diversity from various perspectives.
During the Enabling Gender Diversity in Telecommunications class, we were joined by Anna Gomez, former Deputy Director of NTIA, and now the leader of the U.S. Delegation to the World Radio Conference for the State Department. Gomez discussed different obstacles that underrepresented communities face within telecommunications and how the FCC is implementing policies and programs to advance racial equity, gender equality, and support for underserved communities. She then answered questions from the students about challenges with access and equality faced within their countries.
The second class of the week was the Approaches for Expanding Internet Connectivity class, led by Marvin Sirbu, Professor at Carnegie Mellon University and member of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s Technological Advisory Council. The topics provided participants with a greater understanding of various technical, economic, and regulatory approaches to expanding Internet access, along with the pros and cons of each. Participants completed a “homework” assignment developing a plan for expanding internet connectivity in their country.
The week finished with Satellite Communications Policy in the New Space Age. The class, led by Jennifer Manner, focused on a wide variety of satellite policy issues including spectrum management, space sustainability, and the use of satellites to meet societal goals such as effective disaster response and bridging the digital divide. The class ended with a case study where participants had to create a proposal for implementing satellite communications in a developing country.
Our participants not only represented many different countries, but a vast background of education, positions, and interests. From digital development to space security programs, the individuals were able to bring their unique perspectives to the content while gaining experience from world-class experts in the topics.
We will be hosting our next in-person classes in Bangkok, Thailand in the summer of 2023 and virtual classes throughout the summer and fall. If you want to learn more or hear about our classes first, sign up for our mailing list.