Every year since 2006, September 22 has been recognized as OneWebDay. Much like Earth Day, which inspired it, http://onewebday.org/ provides an opportunity for communities to celebrate the power of Web for positive change, to take action to protect what is precious about it, and to educate the public and policy-makers on key social, economic, and political Web issues.

It was also September 2006 that I started http://www.Snap-Shot-City.com. Snap-Shot-City is an annual simultaneous world wide photographic treasure hunt that challenges people to open their eyes to the world around them and share their stories through photographs. It is a global community engagement activity that challenges people to act and explore locally, and come together online and share experiences from all over the world.

Since that first Snap-Shot event in September 2006, I have seen people all over the world come together locally on the ground and globally through the web to share a vision of their place and join in a global party. I have experience first hand the power of bringing individuals and local communities together in their own unique ways to engage in a broad and global discussion.

In a similar, simultaneously global way, OneWebDay, founded by Susan Crawford (who now advises President Obama on science, technology, and innovation policy) challenges a global community to get together to celebrate the power of the Web for positive change, to take action to protect what is precious about it, and to educate the public and policy-makers on key social, economic, and political web issues.

In this day and age, digital inclusion is something that can no longer be ignored. Access to a fast, affordable, and open Internet is essential for every child in school, every entrepreneur with a new idea, and anyone who wants full access to their government and the democratic process.

Here at EchoDitto, we will be participating in OneWebDay events in Cambridge MA and look forward to discovering how people all over the world choose to celebrate this significant event. Visit http://onewebday.org/ to find out more.