2010-09-02 20:45:28 -

The World Wide Web Foundation : (Web Foundation) today announced that it has elected former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to serve on its Board of Directors. Throughout the world, the Web Foundation leads programs that empower people to use the Web to nurture local economies and improve access to education and information. As a Board member, Brown will primarily advise the Web Foundation on ways to involve disadvantaged communities and global leaders in the development of sustainable programs that connect humanity and affect positive change.

Growing local markets in African nations will help generate prosperity required to alleviate poverty, support education and tackle the challenges posed by disease and political strife. Echoing sentiments conveyed at the

African Union Summit : in Kampala, Uganda in July, Brown highlighted the importance of supporting investment in Africa in order to promote local economic growth.

“Africa is a new source of dynamism in the global economy,” commented Gordon Brown. “Initiatives designed to promote continuous and sustained growth will have a profound impact, not only on the future of African nations, but also our global society. I support Web Foundation’s mission to promote the advancement of the Web, as well as access to it, especially in Africa where the Web can act as a catalyst for economic growth.”


“We are delighted former Prime Minister Brown has decided to join our Board of Directors and support Web Foundation’s projects, which are designed to strengthen the relevance of, and accessibility to, Web content for people around the world,” said Steve Bratt, Chief Executive Officer of Web Foundation. “The Web Foundation’s current programs in Africa are working to empower people to create Web content and applications that address local needs, and also serve to connect communities with advocates, aid workers, academics, investors and others.”


Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web and a director on the board of the Web Foundation, invited Brown to join him in helping to advance the Web as a global medium that empowers people to affect positive change. All members of the Web Foundation’s Board of Directors work with the organization on a pro bono basis and do not accept remuneration for their services.


About World Wide Web Foundation

World Wide Web Foundation : supports programs that advance the Web as a medium that empowers people to bring about positive change. Grants from Founding Members, such as the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation : and Vodafone Group, : fund education, outreach and research efforts that support next generation of Web technologies and enable people use the Web to share knowledge, access services, conduct commerce, participate in good governance and communicate in creative ways. Web Foundation is a registered tax exempt, public charity in Switzerland and the United States. Please follow us on Twitter at @webfoundation : or visit us online at www.webfoundation.org : for more information about our programs.

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