Zuckerberg pledges internet in refugee camps

Published September 27, 2015
Mark Zuckerberg addresses a United Nations forum. ─ Photo: Mark Zuckerberg official Facebook page.
Mark Zuckerberg addresses a United Nations forum. ─ Photo: Mark Zuckerberg official Facebook page.

UNITED NATIONS: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg believes the site will help the international community implement a sweeping new sustainable development agenda.

Zuckerberg said Facebook is partnering with the United Nations (UN) agency for refugees to bring the Internet to refugee camps.

"Connectivity will help refugees better access support from the aid community and maintain their links to families," he said.

Addressing the UN Private Sector Forum, he said wide Internet access "needs to be at the heart of the global development strategy" to address new challenges and needs of the new generation.

In the long term, Zuckerberg said, Facebook will help UN agencies develop tools to track progress toward implementing the development goals.

"Data can help us make smarter decisions but only if you can interpret it quickly and with confidence, so we want to help the UN make decisions that will advance our goals."

Also read: Indian PM Modi to visit Facebook HQ on Sept 27

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