30 September 2002

Brasilia, Brazil: United Nations Volunteers are spearheading a new initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and local partners to redistribute used computer equipment in a bid to help bridge the digital divide in Brazil.

Working closely with the Committee of the Democratization of IT (CDI) and the national Communidade Solidaria council, the United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) in Brazil is coordinating and managing the initiative. Under an agreement signed recently in Brasília, Internet capable computers in UNDP premises or in the 200 projects currently in its portfolio will be donated to schools, NGOs or other needy institutions. As a first step, UNDP has committed to provide some 50 computers that are scheduled to be replaced in the Brasília office as of early next year.

"This is a project which could be an example also for other countries," said UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Henry Jackelen. "It's an investment in the future which doesn't need much money, but which will move inestimable values over the years, especially in terms of human capital."

The Committee of the Democratization of IT, founded by Rodrigo Bagio, is a world leader in bridging the digital divide. Starting with numerous projects in the slums of Rio it now has programmes throughout Brazil. Established by the first lady of Brazil, Ruth Cardoso, Comunidade Solidaria is a leading association of civil society partner organizations working in the poorest areas of the country.

UNDP will offer used IT equipment to CDI, which is responsible for revision and redistribution of the equipment to training centres called "Schools for IT and Citizenship". A UN Volunteer IT specialist working under the United Nations Information Technology Service (UNITeS) will support the schools and develop IT training projects.

Through this initiative, the students will not only learn how to work with computers and access the Internet, but also how to retrieve timely and relevant information to promote development through communication. "This is a chance to bring modern technology and development to many communities where we have been working," said Comunidade Solidaria Project Director Mariza Soares. "Especially for young people this is an opportunity to get to learn our changing reality and culture."

The initiative's pilot phase starts in the capital Brasília, where the UNDP Brazil office is located. Drawing on CDI's network it will also extend to 19 Brazilian states. Marcelo Cota, President of CDI in Brasília, expects that "this partnership will also motivate the private sector to donate used IT material for the digital inclusion of poor communities".