Gordon Brown joins World Wide Web Foundation
/v3-uk/news/1988256/gordon-brown-joins-world-wide-web-foundation
03 Sep 2010, Iain Thomson , V3
Gordon Brown has been appointed to the board of directors of the World Wide Web Foundation.
The former prime minister was invited to join by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, and will have special responsibilities for encouraging internet use in developing economies, in particular Africa.
"Africa is a new source of dynamism in the global economy. Initiatives designed to promote continuous and sustained growth will have a profound impact, not only on the future of African nations but on our global society," said Brown.
"I support the Foundation's mission to promote the advancement of the web, as well as access to it, especially in Africa where it can act as a catalyst for economic growth."
Brown's role, like those of all the board, will be unpaid. The announcement was made alongside the news that he will also be starting the Gordon and Sarah Brown Foundation, and joining Queen Rania of Jordan's Global Campaign for Education.
"We are delighted that former prime minister Brown has decided to join our board of directors and support the 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 of the World Wide Web Foundation.
"The Foundation's current programmes in Africa are working to empower people to create web content and applications that address local needs, and serve to connect communities with advocates, aid workers, academics, investors and others."
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
God Help Us
This man is a complete idiot and a total waste of space It looks as if the world wide web is now due to crash permanently if he makes the same job of this as he did as PM and Chancellor.
Posted by ex service man, 04 Sep 2010
Is it April 1 already?
Surely this has to be a joke? What does GB know about the www? He hasn't shown any understanding of it from anything i have seen so far.
Posted by Jim, 04 Sep 2010
more jolly's for Brown
this plonker should not be let anywhere near the World Wide Web - just look what he did to UK pensions and the debt we all carry due to his biased stupidity - he is elected as an MP for his constituency and he should put his commitment into its representation
Posted by derek, 06 Sep 2010
Brown and WWW stupidity
All previous comments are spot on. This has to be some kind of belated April Fool's.
Posted by Spitty, Portugal, 08 Sep 2010
uh-oh
considering that Gordon Brown nearly bankrupt the uk, failed to understand basic economics, is this appoitment going to push back this programme by several decades, I cannot help think they are doing it more for the publicity rather then what he can offer the cause, would you give this man a job?
Posted by RIch M, 09 Sep 2010
Stick to home
Mr Brown may no longer be Prime Minister, but I assume he is still an MP. As such, he should stick to the job he already has, for if I were one of his constituents, I would like him to continue to be available to help me. Getting positions on Boards of organisations - whether unpaid or paid - is hardly concentrating on the needs of the people who put him where he is today.
Posted by Michael, 14 Sep 2010