Forest Whitaker may be better known for his decades of film roles, from Fast Times at Ridgemont High to The Last King of Scotland, but it’s his off-screen work that may prove most enduring. Through his nonprofit, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), the Oscar-winning actor and humanitarian has spent over a decade working to rebuild fractured communities and empower the young people within them. Now, that mission is gaining even more momentum thanks to a new partnership between Intelsat and Whitaker’s NGO, and fueled by the power of satellite connectivity.
From Conflict Zones to Global Classrooms
Announced on June 25 in New York City by Whitaker; Caroline Descombris, WPDI Executive Director; and David Wajsgras, Intelsat CEO, the three-year partnership between WPDI and Intelsat will deliver high-speed satellite internet access to 10 WPDI Community Learning Centers: seven in South Sudan and three in Uganda. These centers will serve as community anchors for youth to gather learn, lead, and build lasting peace.
For many of these communities, it will be the first time they’ve had fast, reliable connectivity. Globally, digital inequality is widening. According to the International Telecommunication Union, only 19 percent of people in the world’s least developed countries use the internet. In conflict-affected areas, that number is even lower. Lack of digital access means more than just missing out on social media. Even more detrimental is how it limits access to education, economic opportunity, and participation in the global conversation.
Intelsat is supplying the infrastructure and managed services to ensure the 10 centers stay online, even in areas without electricity, cellular coverage, or roads. Each Community Learning Center is co-designed with local communities to provide more than just digital access. In addition to offering peacebuilding, entrepreneurship, and leadership training, the centers also serve as gathering spaces, Wi-Fi hubs, and safe zones for dialogue and healing. Many also include playgrounds and sports facilities to help engage women and girls.
“That’s the beauty of what Forest Whitaker is doing,” John-Philippe Gillet, SVP of Global Sales Media and Networks at Intelsat, told Satellite World. “It’s not just about providing connectivity. It’s about creating an environment where people have a space to gather, to learn, and to access information that can change their lives.”
Peace, Empowerment—and Satellites
WPDI’s reach extends far beyond the classroom. Whitaker’s model focuses on four interconnected pillars: peacebuilding, economic empowerment, health and well-being, and sports. Now, with high-speed internet, WPDI is integrating advanced ICT training, online entrepreneurship courses, and even cross-cultural exchanges between students in Uganda and Los Angeles. “Our strategic vision is really about building peace on the inside out these tools that are practical, scalable, but also deeply rooted in the lived experiences of the communities,” said Descombris.
Along with being designed in partnership with the community, each center is staffed by locals and built for sustainability. “If you want to inspire change, it’s really about trust, it’s about community ownership, and it’s about long-term approach,” Descombris added. “We want to make an added value, and we design with the communities as well the type of training that will make sense.”
That emphasis on local ownership is key to the WPDI’s growing impact. The organization has trained over 1,000 youth peacemakers across Africa, Mexico, and beyond. Among WPDI alumni is Benson Lugwar, a former child soldier who now serves as a radio host and elected official in Uganda. Stories like his show how access to opportunity—both online and off—can change the trajectory of a life, a community, and even a nation.
“To counter war and other conflict in these areas, we must create local opportunities that give people reasons to stay and thrive,” Gillet said. “Addressing challenges means investing in communities, so people don’t feel forced to leave. Protecting borders is necessary, but real change comes from building hope at home.”
A Global Mission, Grounded in Local Impact
While this partnership focuses on South Sudan and Uganda, the broader ambition is global. Intelsat is no stranger to connectivity in hard-to-reach places like the Mali and the Republic of Palau, where they’ve helped extend mobile networks, connect health centers, and restore communications in areas devastated by conflict or natural disaster. “Technology is not the limitation anymore,” Gillet explained. “From a satellite standpoint, we can connect anyone, anywhere. It’s about building the right partnerships, especially in regions where terrestrial infrastructure has been destroyed or never existed.”
Across the world, satellite technology is continuing to advance human-centered outcomes like peace, and education. In areas where terrestrial infrastructure has been destroyed by war or never existed at all, satellites are often the only viable solution. Intelsat and WPDI are helping to bridge that gap. “Forest Whitaker and WPDI’s efforts represent exactly the kind of transformative work that satellite communications can enable,” said Wajsgras. “We’re proud to support WPDI’s efforts to bring young people together, close the digital divide, and create pathways to prosperity in communities that need it most.”
A Model for What’s Next
For the satellite industry, the WPDI-Intelsat partnership offers a clear case study in technology for good, highlighting where orbit meets empathy. It’s a replicable model for bridging digital divides and empowering communities often left behind by traditional development approaches. As Whitaker reminds us, “Education is the foundation for peace. With the right tools, young people can reclaim their futures and become agents of positive change.”
Learn more about how Intelsat and Forest Whitaker are changing lives through satellite connectivity.
