October 20, 2025 — More than one-third of the world’s population still lacks access to the Internet. For millions of young people, this digital divide limits not only their ability to learn and communicate but also to participate in the modern economy and global dialogue. This inequality is especially stark in regions affected by conflict, displacement, or chronic underinvestment in infrastructure. Yet it is precisely in these communities where digital access can be most transformative: connecting people to education, opportunity, and hope.
A Partnership Built on Connectivity and Opportunity
To help bridge this gap, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) partnered with SES (formerly Intelsat) to provide satellite-powered internet connectivity to all of WPDI’s Community Learning Centers (CLCs) in South Sudan and, soon, Uganda. These centers serve as local hubs for peacebuilding, digital education, and entrepreneurship, equipping young people and community members with the skills and tools to build sustainable livelihoods and peaceful societies.
With reliable, high-speed internet, learners can now access online courses, connect with trainers in real time, and explore digital entrepreneurship opportunities — even in some of the most remote areas.
WPDI’s founder and CEO, Forest Whitaker, explained in a recent Forbes feature, “Connectivity is not only about access to technology. It is about access to possibility.” Through this partnership, WPDI and SES are turning that possibility into reality, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
You can read more about this collaboration in:
- Nonprofit Quarterly: How an International NGO Plans to Fight the Digital Divide with a Satellite Company
- Forbes: Intelsat Joins Film Star Forest Whitaker in Utopian Peacemaking Pilot
Recognized for Impact: AfricaTech Festival Awards 2025
In recognition of this work, WPDI and SES have been shortlisted for the “Changing Lives” Award at the AfricaTech Festival Awards 2025, honoring initiatives that use technology to create lasting social impact. The award ceremony will be celebrated on November 12th in Cape Town, South Africa.
How You Can Help
You can help support WPDI’s mission to expand access to digital education and connectivity by voting for our partnership with SES in the “Changing Lives” category. Voting is open until Friday, October 24, and every vote helps amplify the voices of the communities we serve!
Vote here: https://ow.ly/gY7A50X9gYL
Together, we can continue to show that when technology and purpose unite, peace becomes not just an aspiration, but an achievable reality.
