Advancing digital inclusion in education

From July 8–10, 2025, Belize proudly joined representatives from over 40 countries at the Giga Connectivity Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland. This high-level global event brought together key decision-makers from Ministries of Education, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Communications Regulatory Authorities, and Universal Service Agencies to advance efforts in school connectivity and bridge the digital divide.

The forum provided a platform to:

• Review progress made in expanding school connectivity;
• Identify and address ongoing challenges; and
• Share practical experiences and lessons learned from participating countries.

Belize’s delegation included:

• Ms. Dian Maheia, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology
• Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics
• Ms. Namrita Balani, Director of Science & Technology, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology
• Ms. Natasha Mantock, Education Officer, UNICEF Belize

Their participation underscores Belize’s commitment to the Giga Initiative—a joint partnership between UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)—which aims to connect every school to the internet by 2030.

Through this initiative, Belize continues to take meaningful steps toward ensuring equitable access to digital learning and empowering every child with the tools to thrive in a connected world.