Why Community Networking by Madeline Gonzalez
1. Introduction
There is a powerful grassroots movement emerging in towns and cities across the U.S., called "Community Networking". The Association For Community Networking (AFCN) describes "community networking" as occuring when people and organizations collaborate locally to solve problems and create opportunities, supported by appropriate information and communication systems. A "community network" is a locally-based, locally-driven communication and information system. There are currently about 120 community networks in the U.S.
Although there are many various "community development" efforts, community networking projects are unique in the breadth of involvement, the diversity of participation, and their use of technology. Community networking projects involve people with a commitment to social service and community development. This includes local librarians who ensured and provided for public access to information long before there was ever mention of an 'information highway'. Additionally, community networks include technology experts who, unlike their corporate technological counterparts, are driven more by the desire to promote the social benefit of technology, than by personal monetary gain or by the desire to develop technology for its own sake. This unique group of people, with a unique set of skills and perspectives come together for these community networking projects. The result is a powerful synergy that helps to address their community's needs and creates new opportunities.
The Internet has become a new medium for mass communication. However, with the increasing commercialization of this medium, there exists the threat that the Internet will follow in the footsteps of its broadcasting cousin, television. It is more than ever critical that there continue to be a public voice on this new medium, and diversity of content to reflect the diversity in our communities.
