“Connectivity is an opportunity: it’s about giving every child, everywhere, access to the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “With the support of our partners and the energy of international Geneva, the Giga Connectivity Hub can help make our vision of connecting every school in the world to the internet a reality.”.
A new technology center in Geneva
The new facilities aim to harness the vitality of the Swiss technology community and leverage Geneva's expertise in diplomacy and international development to ensure that no child is left behind in the digital age.
“Every child in every school should have access to the internet and the information and opportunities it offers,” said Thomas Davin, Global Director of UNICEF’s Office of Innovation. “The Giga Connectivity Hub will be the world capital of school connectivity, a place where this ambition will become a reality. I am inspired by the potential of this hub to equip and empower governments to meet such a critical need for this generation and those to come.”.
The center is the focal point of Giga's work to help countries acquire and mobilize funds for school connectivity.
The center also houses the Giga Learning Hub, which provides specialized training through the ITU Academy on school mapping, infrastructure modeling, innovative financing, connectivity acquisition and effective project management.
The Geneva center is complemented by the Giga Technology Centre in Barcelona, Spain, a center for the development of cutting-edge open-source solutions to connect schools.
Looking to the future: the Giga Connectivity Forum
From July 8-10, the Giga Connectivity Hub will host the Giga Connectivity Forum 2025, bringing together government officials, regulators, development organizations and high-level experts from 44 countries and territories to explore solutions that accelerate school connectivity.
The forum will present Giga's progress and latest initiatives, discuss the challenges facing governments, and exchange practical lessons for promoting school connectivity.
