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UK Development Director to Indonesia, Amanda McLoughlin check te internet connection during a Rural ICT program in Sukabumi, West Java. (Photo : British Embassy) - 

VOInews, Sukabumi : The British Embassy Jakarta, through the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, and in partnership with local partner the Common Room Networks Foundation, organised the fifth Rural ICT (Information & Communication Technology) Camp at Ciracap, Sukabumi Regency, West Java, from 7 – 11 October 2024.

This year’s theme, Rural Connectivity and Climate Resilience, brought together government officials, international partners, civil society organisations, ICT activists, and local champions from the School of Community Networks initiative.

Since its launch in 2020, the Rural ICT Camp has become a platform for capacity building, digital literacy, and knowledge exchange. Now in its fifth year, the Rural ICT Camp 2024 served as an international forum featuring technical skills training, IoT (Internet of Things 1 ) workshops, and discussions on using technology to strengthen community internet connectivity and climate resilience.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday October 18th 2024, the fifth bamboo-based internet tower was inaugurated by the UK Development Director to Indonesia, Amanda McLoughlin, alongside Alessandra Lustrati, Head of Digital Development Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

Located at Pangumbahan Village Hall, the tower is equipped with an IoT weather station to support local climate monitoring. This initiative is part of citizen science, empowering the community to track their own climate data at a minimal cost.

“I am honoured to launch this year’s Rural ICT Camp, especially as this year also marks 75 years of UK-Indonesia diplomatic relations. Providing digital access and literacy is central to the UK’s Digital Access Programme and vital for sustainable development. This initiative helps bridge the digital divide and empowers rural communities to build resilience in the face of climate change. The camp underscores the importance of community-driven digital infrastructure in reducing inequalities and fostering climate resilience,” UK Development Director to Indonesia, Amanda McLoughlin said. 

Meanwhile, Director of Common Room, Gustaff H. Iskandar said that Community centred connectivity is critical to support sustainable development and enhance climate resilience. Citizen engagement can strengthen rural connectivity and meaningful internet utilisation//VOI