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Making the World Wide Web a Reality: Global Technology Corps brings the Internet to the developing world
Despite a lauded career as a successful high-tech corporate
executive, Melanie Edwards secretly felt like something was missing. "My
motivation was waning, and I couldn't quite put my finger on why," Edwards says.
Dissatisfied, Edwards participated in Landmark's Self-Expression and Leadership
Program, where she saw a way she could make an important connection between her
career and her passion, which in Edward's case was international travel.
As a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa and an avid traveler, Edwards had
frequently lamented her inability to correspond with new friends abroad because
of unreliable mail service. Through Landmark's community-oriented program, a
light bulb went on for Edwards: "Why not bring the Internet to the developing
world, and use my high-tech background and connections to make this difference?"
In that moment, the Global Technology Corps was born. Edwards paired with an
associate at the U.S. State Department to develop the new program-think digital
Peace Corps-which brings American techheads and their expertise to bear on the
needs of developing countries.
Inaugurated during the refugee crisis in Kosovo, Global Technology Corps used
seven far-flung Internet centers to help no less than 200 families locate each
other and reunite. Because of Global's success in Kosovo and many other places,
Edwards helped to develop a similar program for the United Nations.
Now a fellow at Stanford, she still credits Landmark for giving her the courage
to jump in and do something. "Today, my passion and expertise travel together as
one."
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Grads Making a Difference.
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