Intelsat Partners with Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative to Expand Access to Education in East Africa
Article content
MCLEAN, Va. — Intelsat, operator of one of the world's largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, announced today a groundbreaking partnership with Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian Forest Whitaker's nonprofit, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), to revolutionize access to education in conflict-affected regions across Africa. The collaboration will deliver for the first time high-speed internet connectivity to WPDI's Community Learning Centers in South Sudan and Uganda, creating digital bridges to education for thousands of young people in areas where infrastructure has been insufficient or compromised.
Article content
Intelsat will equip 10 centers—seven in South Sudan and three in Uganda—with satellite connectivity. Over the course of this three-year partnership, Intelsat will provide equipment, managed connectivity services, installation, and ongoing technical support. This unprecedented effort will bring reliable internet access to communities where traditional connectivity infrastructure is inadequate for modern online education.
Article content
'Education is the foundation for peace,' said Forest Whitaker. 'At WPDI, we use technology as a conduit to opportunity—bringing knowledge to young people whose lives have been upended by violence and political unrest. With the right tools, youths can reclaim their futures to become powerful agents of peace in their communities.'
Article content
The initiative comes at a critical time, as digital inequality continues to widen globally. According to the International Telecommunication Union, a mere 19% of people in the least developed nations, like South Sudan and Uganda, use the internet. In areas directly affected by conflict, these numbers drop even further, creating significant barriers to education and opportunity for vulnerable populations. By improving digital access, Intelsat and WPDI are providing learning center trainees with the resources they need to become drivers of positive change in their community and beyond. Graduates of WPDI programs have gone on to become community leaders, educators, and advocates, exemplified by individuals like Benson Lugwar, a former child soldier who is now an elected official and radio host in Uganda.
'At Intelsat, we are great believers in the power of connectivity to promote education and sustainable development around the world,' said Dave Wajsgras, CEO of Intelsat. 'Forest Whitaker and WPDI's efforts represent exactly the kind of transformative work that satellite communications can enable. We're proud to support WPDI's efforts to bring young people together, close the digital divide, and create pathways to prosperity in communities that need it most.'
Article content
The satellite-powered connectivity will enable WPDI to significantly expand its educational offerings, providing access to digital resources, online courses, and virtual exchange programs that were previously impossible in these remote locations. Students will gain critical digital literacy skills alongside WPDI's established curriculum in conflict resolution, entrepreneurship, and community development.
Article content
About WPDI
Article content
The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) is a non-governmental organization with an international scope and reach, committed to fostering peace and resilience by disseminating skills and promoting climate-sensitive and sustainable development in countries and places affected by violence, poverty, environmental disruption, and marginalization. In Africa, Europe, as well as Latin and North America, WPDI develops a wide range of programs aimed at training and supporting underprivileged individuals and groups, with a particular focus on youth and women, enabling them to become empowered as mediators, educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, fostering positive transformation within their communities and beyond. To achieve its objectives, WPDI works with the communities to design and implement integrated programs in the four areas of Peacebuilding, Livelihood, Health and Well-being, and Sports. WPDI was founded in 2012 by the artist, social activist, and UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace, Forest Whitaker. www.wpdi.org About Intelsat Intelsat's global team of professionals is focused on providing seamless and secure, satellite-based communications to government, NGO and commercial customers through the company's next-generation worldwide network and managed services. Bridging the digital divide by operating one of the world's largest and most advanced satellite fleet and connectivity infrastructures, Intelsat enables people and their tools to speak over oceans, see across continents and listen through the skies to communicate, cooperate and coexist. Since its founding six decades ago, the company has been synonymous with satellite-industry 'firsts' in service to its customers and the planet. Leaning on a legacy of innovation and focusing on addressing a new generation of challenges Intelsat team members now have their sights on the 'next firsts' in space as they disrupt the field and lead in the digital transformation of the industry.
Article content
Twitter/X
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Contacts
Article content
Media Contact
Article content
:
Article content
Article content
Article content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
9 hours ago
- CBC
To 'build, baby, build,' this country is going to need a whole lot more shop teachers
To meet the federal government's promise to "build, baby, build," the country is going to need a whole lot more skilled trades workers. But a shortage of shop class teachers in Canadian high schools might make them hard to find. "We have a massive shortage of trained teachers," said Andy Strothotte, who has been a shop teacher for 31 years and is president of the British Columbia Technology Education Teachers Association. His counterparts in other parts of the country report the same. About 700,000 skilled trades workers are set to retire between 2019 and 2028, according to federal government numbers, and shop classes are a key tool for getting students interested in pursuing those careers. The number of new tradespeople needed may even be higher than that, given the Liberal government's promise to build 500,000 homes per year, and to undertake various — yet unspecified — "nation-building" infrastructure projects. There's a shortage of all teachers in British Columbia, but Strothotte told Cost of Living that it's particularly challenging to recruit people to teach woodworking, metal work or other tech classes. Those jobs are so specialized — plus, a teacher's starting salary is less than people typically make in the trades. "We're working on trying to get salary equality recognized, so that people who have a trades background who have this Red Seal, have years of experience, get a bump up on the pay scale," said Strothotte, who teaches at Westview Secondary School in Maple Ridge, B.C. High cost to retrain as a teacher Even worse, prospective shop teachers give up those good salaries to take on several years of school expenses. In B.C., the main pathway to becoming a tech-ed teacher is to spend two years at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) doing a technology education teaching diploma, followed by one year at the University of British Columbia in general teaching education. "That's a huge hit for a family to take, to be three years out of the industry, out of work," said Strothotte. The training used to take just two years if you already had trades experience. There are some lobbying efforts underway to try to reinstate that accelerated program, he says. Ontario also has a tech education teacher shortage, in part because what used to be a one-year teacher's college program became two years in 2015, says Christine German, executive director of the Ontario Council for Technology Education. "This two-year teacher's college is really creating a barrier for all teachers, but also us," said German. Though some of the tech education teacher training programs are 16 months, with online components to add flexibility, candidates are still paying double the tuition they used to, and often incurring travel costs as well, she says. Documents obtained by the Canadian Press in April revealed that Ontario is considering shortening the teacher training to address the problem of plummeting admissions to teacher's colleges. Cost of Living reached out to every provincial and territorial government, asking for the number of vacant tech education positions and plans to address the problem. Among the eight that responded by publication time, most said they do not tabulate the number of vacancies, and that individual boards would have that data. But Nunavut, B.C., Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador all pointed to various initiatives to recruit and retain teachers, including tech educators. Strothotte says issues like burn-out, injury or working conditions might bring some tradespeople into tech ed. "Or they're just tired of lying under a diesel cat at minus 60 degrees in the tundra, and they'd rather be working in a heated shop with students and sharing their passion with them," he said. Maryke Simmonds worked in theatre for two decades, building props and sets, but went back to school at BCIT to become a shop teacher. She graduated last August, along with 21 others. "At school, they told us that Surrey [School District] could take all of us — right away after graduation — and still need more shop teachers." That doesn't surprise Strothotte. B.C. currently has around 55 open jobs for shop teachers and if those don't get filled, classes will get cancelled, he said. Sometimes that means the shops themselves will get shuttered — in some cases, never to reopen again, he says. WATCH | This college event introduced female high school students to the trades: 'Jill of All Trades' introduces female high school students to the skilled trades 1 month ago Duration 2:19 Facilities and materials often in short supply That's another limitation for provinces looking to bolster their ranks of tradespeople — not every high school has a shop, and some that once did have been converted to other kinds of classrooms when interest in and funding for tech education classes waned. In Ontario, the provincial government made it mandatory for every student to take at least one tech education credit as of the 2024-25 school year. "This is our government saying it's really important for our students to explore technological education — skilled trades and technology — as early as they possibly can because it's a fantastic thing for students, [and] very, very needed in our country," said German. Stotthotte says the funding for materials hasn't "hasn't really changed" in the last 15 years. He canvasses local businesses for donations of scraps, or jumps in his pickup when he sees listings on Facebook for free plywood or other supplies. In Calgary, there's a new partnership called Adopt-a-Shop between high schools and the Calgary Construction Association, in which home builders, plumbing companies and others donate money, materials and expertise. That kind of initiative supports students like Tayah Kilb, who just finished Grade 11 at Central Memorial High School in Calgary, to explore the possibility of a career in the trades. Kilb says she had never considered it before she took a woodworking class this year, first making a table for her family room, then some custom furniture for her bedroom. "I have a completely pink room and I couldn't find any bedside table that matched it … so I just made one in construction and painted it pink." The experience has her set her sights on working in construction as a framer.
National Post
20 hours ago
- National Post
Ontario government takes over TDSB, three other school boards, citing 'mismanagement'
The Ontario government announced it will be appointing supervisors to oversee four school board districts in the province after an investigation raised concerns about the financial stability of the institutions. Article content The affected boards include some of the largest in the province, including Toronto (TDSB), Toronto Catholic (TCDSB), Ottawa-Carleton (OCDSB) and Dufferin-Peel (DPCDSB). Article content 'Each of these boards has failed in its responsibilities to parents and students by losing sight of its core mission — ensuring student success,' Minister of Education said Paul Calandra said in a news release Friday. Article content Article content The ministry's press release said an investigation into the four school boards revealed 'instances of mismanagement and poor decision-making that put its long-term financial health at risk.' The government said the TDSB has rejected nearly half of the cost-saving measures management has recommended over the past two years and the board relies heavily on proceeds from asset sales to balance its books. Article content Toronto Catholic 'is at risk of default in the coming years' after tripling its deficit, compared with the prior school year, the announcement reads. Meanwhile, Ottawa-Carleton 'depleted its reserves, incurred an accumulated deficit,' the government wrote, noting that the board plans to offset the deficit 'from asset sales to balance its books.' Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, meanwhile, is 'at the brink of bankruptcy,' Calandra said. Article content Article content The audit of OCDSB and TDSB, according to the provincial government, was overseen by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), while Deloitte conducted the investigation of TCDSB. Article content Article content Chandra Pasma, the education critic for the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), condemned the move calling it 'nothing short of a power grab.' Article content Pasma blamed the Ford government which 'has chronically underfunded our education system,' that will undermine the schooling of students. Article content Calandra framed the announcement as a step toward financial propriety and a better long-term investment in local schools. Article content 'We're strengthening oversight and accountability so that parents can have the confidence that every dollar is spent responsibly to directly benefit students. I have made it clear that if a school board veers off its mandate, I will take action to restore focus, rebuild trust and put students first.'
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Globe and Mail
Breaking Down Barriers, Lighting Up the Stars: Tiens Group's 30-Year Journey of Fulfilling Educational Dreams
In the heart of Mr. Li Jinyuan, founder of Tiens Group, education is not only the warm transmission of one lamp lighting another, but also the cornerstone of a nation's lasting prosperity. For more than thirty years, this globally minded entrepreneur has, with unwavering determination, transformed his personal success into fertile soil for education: from the difficult moment of selling his Mercedes-Benz to pay employees' wages, to investing tens of billions to build a comprehensive educational ecosystem spanning from primary schools to higher education; from the first brick-and-mortar classroom on the Tibetan plateau to the resonant voices of students in an international secondary school in Singapore... Mr. Li, together with Tiens Group, has exemplified what it means to "benefit all people and fulfill responsibilities through action." In his eyes, every child deserves the right to gaze at the stars, and Tiens' mission is precisely to tear down the barriers of geography and birth, allowing the clear stream of knowledge to nourish every inch of land yearning for growth. A Childlike Wish: Ensuring Every Child Has the Right to Pursue Their Dreams Every child is a born dreamer, painting visions of the future with innocent voices—some wish to become scientists, others aspire to be teachers, and some long to soar into space. Yet not all children have equal access to these dreams. Mr. Li Jinyuan deeply understands that education is the key to transforming one's destiny. Since 1996, under his leadership, Tiens Group has used education as a powerful lever to uplift and reshape the futures of countless children. In Nagqu, Tibet, the primary school funded and built by Tiens gave children on the plateau their first bright and welcoming classrooms. In Tianjin, the transformation of Tianshi College from a vocational institution to a full-fledged undergraduate college opened wider starting lines for millions of aspiring students. In Singapore, the international secondary school under the Tiens banner has become a bridge connecting Chinese students to world-renowned universities. These efforts are more than just financial contributions—they are weighty promises: Tiens is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, can pursue their dreams with courage. Footprints of Love: From a Single Classroom to a Fertile Land of Education Tiens' path in education is an epic written with responsibility. In the early days, when the company faced hardships, founder Mr. Li Jinyuan resolutely sold his Mercedes-Benz to pay employees' wages. As the enterprise grew, that same sense of duty evolved into a comprehensive educational commitment—from the first classroom in Nagqu, Tibet, to an educational landscape that spans across China and beyond. Every step Tiens has taken to support children's dreams has been fueled by a heart full of sincerity. In 1996, Mr. Li Jinyuan invested 80 million yuan to establish Tianjin Tianshi College. Over the following two decades, he continued to invest heavily, transforming a barren land into a modern educational park spanning 320 hectares. Today, thanks to Mr. Li's tireless dedication, Tiens Group operates not only a university capable of accommodating more than 40,000 students, but also the Six Forces Primary and Secondary Schools, covering the entire educational spectrum from elementary to high school. The remarkable achievements of Tianshi College have even drawn Nobel laureates and Olympic champions from around the world to visit and exchange ideas. For nearly thirty years, Tiens Group's unwavering commitment to education has demonstrated that education is not a fleeting act of charity, but a flame passed down through generations. Through education, Mr. Li Jinyuan and Tiens Group have nurtured children's dreams with deep care and dedication, bringing the notion of 'social responsibility' to life in the most vivid and concrete way. A Torch of Aspiration: The Entrepreneurial Spirit Illuminates the Future of the Nation and Home "When an enterprise is small, it belongs to individuals; as it grows, it belongs to society, and ultimately to the nation." This humble yet profound remark from Mr. Li Jinyuan reveals the spiritual core of Tiens Group. From launching a patriotic venture amid China's reform and opening-up, to expanding its global footprint across 224 countries and regions; from selling his car to support the company in times of difficulty and setting an example in the real economy, to generously contributing 21 billion yuan to educational philanthropy—Tiens has always closely linked its corporate growth to the destiny of the nation. Amidst the nation's vibrant development and days filled with promise, investing in education takes on even deeper meaning. Over the years, Tiens has not only provided material donations but has also built a comprehensive 'educational ecosystem'—from primary schools to universities, from China to the world, from financial contributions to resource integration. This systematic investment stands as a vivid embodiment of the national strategy of 'Revitalizing the Nation Through Science and Education.' In the Name of Love, Journeying Together Toward the Stars and the Sea When children recite aloud in classrooms built by Tiens, and when students step onto the global stage through Tianshi College's '3+1,' '2+2' undergraduate training models, or the '3+1+1' bachelor-master integrated program, what we see is not merely a charitable act by a corporation, but a national enterprise's heartfelt investment in the future of both individuals and the country. Under the leadership of Mr. Li Jinyuan, Tiens has used education to offer children one of life's most precious gifts—the opportunity for their dreams to blossom. "Feel Love, Create Love, Share Love"—Tiens Group's philanthropic philosophy has taken root like a seed in the hearts of countless children. Behind this vision stands Mr. Li Jinyuan, who, with the resilience of an entrepreneur and the compassion of a patriot, is writing a noble chapter of dedication to both nation and people. Such an enterprise is worthy of every ounce of trust; such a story deserves to be passed down for generations. As the echoes of the exam bell linger, the scroll of life quietly unfolds. Tiens Group firmly believes that education is the finest support for one's journey—letting the starlight of knowledge illuminate the road ahead, empowering the striving youth to reach distant mountains and seas, and building a ladder to lift every young dream toward the skies. Media Contact Company Name: Tiens Group Contact Person: Hefei Li Email: Send Email Country: China Website:
