In October 2017, Molly Burhans participated as a discussant in the Connectivity as a Human Right event hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences at the Casina Pio IV in Vatican City. This gathering brought together global leaders in governance, technology, and innovation, including MIT Media Lab founder Nicholas Negroponte, economist Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, and representatives from corporate and nonprofit sectors. The deliberations focused on the role of the internet as a critical public utility and a fundamental human right, particularly addressing the pressing issue that 3 billion people worldwide remain without internet access.
Burhans contributed by presenting maps of Catholic radio infrastructure throughout Africa and highlighting their potential for Internet Service Provider (ISP) delivery in underserved regions. These maps were developed as part of a project she led for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, showcasing how the Church’s extensive networks in remote areas could serve as a foundation for expanding connectivity. Her presentation emphasized the opportunity to leverage Catholic radio networks to bridge the digital divide, providing underserved communities with access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities through enhanced internet availability. This work underscored the Church’s unique capacity to address global challenges and informed the event’s proceedings aimed at promoting universal internet access as a cornerstone of human dignity and sustainable development.