1. October 8, 2007 R 21c1 Public Benefit Internet Development Efforts in Palestine, Nepal and Western New York James O. Whitlock University at Buffalo WNY High Performance Networked Video Initiative http://www.BethlehemAlliance.org http://www.BethlehemAlliance.org Presentation to the Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks San Diego, California, USA October 8, 2007 The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Facilitating Public Benefit Next Generation Internet Development

2. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c2 Agenda: Rationale, Objectives and Issues The Plan The Actuality Investments and Outcomes What’s Next? How Can Internet2 and this SIG Help? Discussion-Only Working Documents (ATP) Photographs and Video Clips (ATP)

3. October 8, 2007 R 21c3 Rationale, Objectives and Issues The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks

4. October 8, 2007 R 21c4 The Promise of Interactive IP-Video At Suspension of Disbelief Quality Levels: Global delivery of essential human services –Medical intervention –Medical education –General education Government services, cultural events, the arts … International cross-cultural contacts and activities Rapid and high ROI without application development Relevance in stressed and impoverished areas Relevance to general public Broad-spectrum facilitative tool for human interaction Cornerstone of Global Village

5. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c5 Extension of Decade-Long Western NY Regional Effort WNY-HPNVI The Western New York High Performance Networked Video Initiative Facilitative developmental support for early adopters Professionally managed “Attractive Nuisance” events –Encourage inter-institutional use and illuminate issues –Expand the active user community

6. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c6 Objectives Promote and facilitate development of advanced network infrastructure Identify and develop sustainable direct public benefit applications Promote a shift of emphasis for justifying advanced networks from research and big science to public service Promote facilitative non-deterministic development methods that build local skills and respond to locally perceived needs

7. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c7 Public Benefit Development Issues Impediments –Lack of political and economic capital –Lack of public and professional awareness of I2 IP-VC capabilities Strategies –Exploit geopolitical significance –Develop broader public support, e.g. religious groups –Develop compelling high-visibility demonstrations

8. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c8 Why Nepal? Association with existing medical development interests Accident –2006 Internet2 SMM conference presentation & presenter seating Enthusiastic, collaborative Nepali development groups Poverty, stress and need

9. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c9 Why Palestine? Level of infrastructure development Geopolitical significance International visibility Accident

10. October 8, 2007 R 21c10 The Plan The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks

11. October 8, 2007 R 21c11 Develop Self-Supporting Early-Adopter Interest and Working Groups by Offering: Facilitative non-deterministic ground-up support Practitioner briefings & technology demonstrations –Faculty, teachers, doctors, cultural center staff Technical support staff briefings & technology donations –IT, Network Engineering, Media Support

12. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c12 Develop High Visibility Demonstration Applications Low cost, one-off, make-do technology Easy to understand applications Obvious and immediate public benefit

13. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c13 Exploit Public Benefit PR Value Enlist higher level government and institutional decision makers Develop public awareness and support Leverage interests to identify and secure start-up funding for compelling applications Develop Government, Institutional, Public and International Support for: –A National Research and Education Network (NREN) –International Network Connectors –Extension of the NREN into public spaces –Continuance and growth of public benefit applications

14. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c14 Include Stressed Domestic Regions (USA) Urban poor Rural poor and dispersed Disaster afflicted

15. October 8, 2007 R 21c15 The Actuality The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks

16. October 8, 2007 R 21c16 The Actuality: First working visit (12 days) 10/23/2004 –Briefings and contacts with 11 institutions –Technology left with 4 centers of interest –First Known Multi-Institutional IP-VC on 11/01/2004 Palestinian Public Internet – Bethlehem University to ARIJ (via Ramallah) Al Quds University and Palestine connect 12/09/2004 to Megaconference VI

17. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c17 The Actuality (continued): Second working visit (21 days) 2/26/2005 –Briefings and contacts with 6 institutions, including 3 in Gaza –Technology left with 4 centers of interest, including 2 in Gaza –Demonstrations & briefings for Founding 3/14/2005 Meeting of: The Palestinian Association for Development of Internet2, PADI2 See http://www.padi2.pshttp://www.padi2.ps IP-VC demonstrations for Palestinian 4/20/2005 University Council

18. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c18 The Actuality (continued): PADI2 grows to include all universities & colleges, Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Ministry liaison, … PNA announces PADI2 & EUMEDCONNECT 6/07/2005 link PADI2 developing NREN plan details PADI2 in negotiations with PalTel regarding NREN implementation EUMEDCONNECT link installed (ping test) 10/21/2005

19. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c19 The Actuality (continued): Third working visit (35 days) 2/25/2006 –Microwave links to 4 public spaces, 1 in Gaza –Briefings and contacts with 5 institutions, 3 in Gaza –Technology left with 4 centers of interest, 2 in Gaza –Organizing meeting of Bethlehem area public benefit interests –PADI2 NREN RFP completed & issued 3/21/2006

20. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c20 The Actuality (continued): Fourth working visit (51 days) 2/25/2007 –Restoration of microwave links in Bethlehem –Development and integration of PC GW control systems –Installation and testing of Ramallah GW & ISDN BRI –Installation and testing of Bethlehem GW –Installation and testing of Gaza GW –Intensive briefings on H.323 & infrastructure at all sites The Palestinian Association for Development of Internet2 PADI2 http://www.padi2.ps

21. October 8, 2007 R 21c21 Investments & Outcomes The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks

22. October 8, 2007 R 21c22 Investments & Outcomes Investments –Eighteen weeks on the ground, four visits –Approximately $55K, including $10K in donations –36 months of staff (over-)time

23. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c23 Investments & Outcomes Outcomes –A high-level active NREN development group: PADI2 –International connector installed and NREN RFP issued –Twelve H.323 technical points of presence, four in Gaza –Bethlehem Alliance shared technology centers at The International Center and Caritas Hospital, Bethlehem –Three public space microwave links, three Gateways and three dedicated test systems installed –Organizing work started for public benefit interests –Extensive supportive contact network: Palestinian higher education, healthcare, cultural, U.S. Dept. of State, local WNY education and community organizations, Internet2, NGO’s

24. October 8, 2007 R 21c24 What’s Next? The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks

25. October 8, 2007 R 21c25 Public benefit applications & spaces are not being adequately addressed Use whatever connectivity opens-up to support application development and build momentum –Palestine: Caritas Baby Hospital, refugee camp clinics & community centers, other hospitals, ICB, National Conservatory of Music … –WNY Groups: colleges, schools, community centers –NGO interests –Internet2 community

26. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c26 The Bethlehem Alliance Proposes and Plans to Develop Public Benefit Application Incubators Small collections of deployable equipment and technical staff networked with application principals West Bank, Bethlehem: Caritas Baby Hospital Gaza: Islamic Univsrsity Gaza, El Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital, others TBD Western New York: community centers & schools, locations TBD Applications to include: medical grand rounds, remote specialist consults, cross-culturally peered school groups, NGO service screening & follow-up, National Conservatory concerts, theatre performances, music instruction, scholarship candidate screening, … Equipment already on-hand in WNY, awaiting connectivity with Palestine Seeking traditional and non-traditional funding sources Next working visit planned: 1H08 (without funding assistance)

27. October 8, 2007 R 21c27 How Can Internet2 and this SIG Help? The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks

28. October 8, 2007 R 21c28 How Can Internet2 and this SIG Help? Assist with promotion –Public Benefit Applications –Internet2 Access in Public Spaces – schools, community centers, churches, libraries, police, fire, … Support a forum for organizers of similar efforts Support a forum or portal for connecting potential service providers with communities in need Help secure support for similar efforts in early stages –Satellite and ISDN connect-time grants –Travel grants –Equipment donations – WiFi, VC, … –NREN development funding

29. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c29 How Can Internet2 and this SIG Help? Help secure diplomatic and political interventions –Travel permits & ground travel obstacles –Equipment import Assist with coordination and inclusion of major NGO’s Develop technical residency programs for foreign nationals –I2 Commons/OSU –ViDeNet/UNC –Other I2 IP-Video Support Sites

30. The Bethlehem Alliance The Bethlehem Alliance Presentation to Internet2 SIG for Emerging National Research and Education Networks October 8, 2007 R 21c30 Thank you. Please follow-up with any interests you have: James O. Whitlock Bethlehem Alliance Project Facilitator Director, WNY High Performance Networked Video Initiative University at Buffalo 104e Computing Center Buffalo, NY 14260 (716) 645-3060 whitlock@buffalo.edu www.BethlehemAlliance.org