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About the CwoB Alberta Network
The Communities without Boundaries Alberta Network was incorporated as a not-for-profit society in 2009.
Mission:
To improve access to and utilization of broadband technology by connecting community champions and assisting them in building capacity in Alberta communities.
Vision:
Looks toward the accomplishment of Broadband Connectivity that is value added, service oriented, easily accessible and responsive to the needs of the Alberta Community.
Values:
The Communities without Boundaries Board of Directors works in a collaborative and accountable manner, celebrating diversity, practicing open communication and respecting the diverse interests and perspectives of each member's autonomy and work outside of CwoB.
History
Our inaugural videoconference general meeting on March 17th was our third major initiative. The first was a face-to-face conference held at Olds College in November 2007. This was followed by a virtual conference on October 31st, 2008.
135 stakeholders attended the inaugural Communities without Boundaries conference in Olds in November 2007. They came from as far away as Fort Chipewyan and Crowsnest Pass and included Mayors, teachers, health workers, entrepreneurs and civil servants. The conference was a joint initiative of the Community Learning Campus and a (now completed) project at the University of Calgary. A planning committee was formed in 2008 which decided to organize a follow-up event. Over the last year we have learned that harvesting the benefits of the public and private investment in rural broadband, both for owners and other stakeholders, is a complex problem.
The planning committee held a full day meeting in Three Hills on June 3rd which recognized that the planned event should not be seen as an end in itself but as part of a larger process and a way of “beating the drum” for rural broadband. Our shared vision is that we need to overcome the barriers preventing people taking advantage of broadband applications. We were aware of many fragmented discussion of rural broadband and saw the need to merge the many conversations about broadband into a single conversation.
The vision developed is of an action-oriented collaboration focused on delivering real-life practical benefits to regular rural Albertans who are broadband users, or to the providers serving them. To do this, we will provide a forum where those involved in the many initiatives underway can share information and initiate joint action.
Our October 31st, 2008 virtual conference — Communities Without Boundaries – Using Rural Connections to Support Alberta’s Rural Development Strategy — was an important stepping stone towards the growth of rural networks and broadband use.
This conference was planned and executed as a rural-focused event, connecting 236 registrants in 21 Alberta communities by videoconference. The day’s proceedings included 5 panels with 28 presentations, addressing Education, Health care, Economic activity, Quality of life and the First/Last mile. The master of ceremonies was Mayor Kevin Edwards of the Town of Three Hills and the welcome address was given by Doug Griffiths MLA, Parliamentary Assistant for Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.