"The role of the civil society in info-inclusion processes"

�I live in Brazil, I�m not sure whether I live very well or very poorly,

I do know that I am now part of the country and intelligence is fundamental**1**.

• Paulo Lima ([email protected]) Executive Director. RITS - Red de Informaciones para el Tercer Sector

• Graciela Baroni Selaimen ([email protected]) Director of Informations. RITS - Red de Informaciones para el Tercer Sector

The Rio Summit in 1992, or ECO 92 as it was known, made the city of Rio de Janeiro the epicenter of the global environmental movement. �Those who couldn�t make it missed part of the show, but only a part. �The UN event brought more to Brazil than discussions concerning the environment and sustainability � it led to the arrival of permanent Internet access in Brazil. Betinho and Carlos Afonso were behind this using funds from the Ministry of Science and Technology, in order to enable activists and journalists from all over the world to follow the events at the Rio Summit in real time. �Internet access came, and ended up staying put.

Over ten years later, the discussions now concern the challenges for achieving a real, effective assimilation of these technologies for strengthening citizenship, democratic participation and improving the methodology of projects undertaken. �The theme is the same today � which means little progress has been made. �This is not quite the case from a technological perspective, as although Brazil�s Internet infrastructure covers less than 10% of Brazilian municipalities, for those who can afford it, a solution can be found. �However, let�s take a look at the facts. Just some 8% of Brazilians currently have access to the Internet. �In other words, Brazil has not implemented public policies for making Internet access universal, nor has it employed real efforts to combat info-exclusion. �Despite the fact that the use in Brazil of the internet arose from the common objectives of individuals who fought, and still fight, for social and democratic ideals, in the name of citizenship, it is undeniable that accessing, choosing, producing or disseminating information is impossible for the vast majority of Brazilian citizens.�

Participation, democracy and the Internet in Brazil

The Internet is tailor made for people who wish to be heard, publicize their ideas and become involved. �The very structure of the Internet is suited to this participation: decentralized, horizontal, made up of many connections and without spatial limits. This thinking behind social appropriation and participation in the use of information and communication technology must be encouraged. �This does not require unimaginable resources or mind-blowing technology. �All that is needed is to create basic models of use which enable swift appropriation by individuals from diverse backgrounds and levels of society and then replicate them in several different places � meaning that the interaction of the individual via the internet becomes a tool for cultural resistance and political pressure in the best sense .. Use the virtual world to include individuals and make them aware of the importance and possibility of getting involved � and implementing changes.

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We are currently living in a stable democracy, in contrast to the situation a few years back. This deepens the opportunity we have to strengthen the participation by individuals in society, which is decisive for transforming formal regimes into effective democracies. �The following is one of the most important challenges faced by the civil and non-governmental societies: �contributing to channeling the requirements of individuals, translating desires and creating instruments for achieving effective participation, making people raise their voices to propose solutions which are discussed in-depth with society. �Within this scope, cyberspace could be put forward as a tool for realizing the potential of virtual �agoras�, moments in time and meetings of common interests and languages in which � via dynamics chosen and agreed to collectively � the needs, desires, inclinations and talents of each member of a group are offered to all and points of agreement are identified. �With the internet, it� is possible for speeches to be democratized, problems to be identified and ways to be suggested instantaneously� �However, access to new technologies and the world wide web must be universal in order to achieve this. �Should this not be the case, the possibility of democracy being exercised though digital communication and information technology is fallacious. �

We are aware that making Internet access universal is both a problem to be overcome and the light at the end of the tunnel � a prospect for possible solutions. �It really must be stressed that, on the one hand, the internet, in its current form in Brazil, is a reflection of the worsening social, economic and political inequalities, as most of the country�s income and the access to resources like computers and telephone lines are the privileges of the few not the many. This has led to the creation of two new social categories: those with access to the Internet and those without. �The distance separating these categories is something to which we refer as the �digital divide� � on the one hand, a tiny percentage of the population which travels through a new universe offering thousands of possibilities. �On the other hand, the vast majority of the population who have only heard about this new universe through others. �

It is, however, indubitable that the Internet offers new possibilities for participation by individuals. �An example of this is the strengthening of local initiatives, which take on other dimensions when multiplied between people via a regional or national internet: the shoring up of identities and cultures, recognizing local content by sharing the values of a given community with the world; the fact that it is possible for any individual to find out information on processes concerning him/her and take part in the performing of said processes; the sharing of challenges and talent � the possibilities are endless. �As Norberto Babbio states in an article in which he analyses representative democracy and the prospects of direct democracy: ��In order for direct democracy to exist in the exact meaning of the word, i.e. in as far as direct meaning that the individual himself participates in the decision making which concerns him/her, there must be no intermediary between said individuals and the decision-making concerning them�. �More simply put, the challenge must be set of moving from a democratic state to a democratic society.

The time is upon us: the World Summit on the Information Society

There is a pressing need for the struggle towards info-inclusion and the strategic use of Information and Communication Technologies to be increasingly adopted by non-governmental organizations as current political issues. �It must not be forgotten that the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (the second phase is to be held in Tunis in� 2005) is to be held in Geneva in December 2003. Governments and companies shall come together � at the invitation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) of Unesco and the ILO � to discuss a new model of society � the Information Society.

The time is clearly upon us for swift interaction between the organizations of the civil society in order to ensure that the issues of interest to them are included on the Summit's agenda, and to ensure that they enjoy the same presence and right of participation as governments and companies. All the steps in this process are strategic, and it is most important that the organized civil society be prepared to critically evaluate - from a viewpoint of cooperation - the directives of the United Nations.

Let's be realistic: the future scenario is neither surprising nor encouraging. We are facing the real possibility that the UN Summit will be an event at which governments and companies assemble to discuss what is good for the world in terms of telecommunications and new technologies � with good being understood as that which strengthens markets and neoliberal thinking. If we allow the discussions to be limited to this scope, what will be left for the less fortunate populations (including people who are not male, white, university graduates, with high purchasing power and coming from wealthy nations or, consumers of their leftovers)? Further exclusion, once again. It is up to us - civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, activists and individuals - to change the course of these discussions and make an impact on the UN agenda. This will not occur, however, unless there is mobilization and desire; unless these issues are adopted by the organizations as their own concerns, concerns of the communities to which their work is directed, concerns of Brazil. We stress once again: there is little time. The process is underway. Throughout the world preparatory meetings are being held, agendas are being proposed, groups and strategies for getting involved are being organized - both by the private sector and the civil society. And what about Brazil? Are the civil society organizations and social movements prepared for these events?�

Shared values - free information, equal opportunities and control by the individual

There are two main concerns shared by social and internet organizations in many countries with respect to the Summit: following the preparatory processes in order to ensure the participation of civil society organizations and activists in the UN event, and having an influence on its agenda, both of which are based upon the same principle: the principle that human rights and development must form the basis of the discussions at the Summit.

Amongst the issues proposed by these organizations is the issue of Info-inclusion, which encompasses effective universal access, education for using ICT, cultural diversity, inclusion in terms of gender, race and ethnicity, ensuring equal opportunities to all social groups in the information society, the use of free software, the importance of local content being produced, governance, censorship on the Internet, in addition to the debate concerning other more theoretical issues, such as the very concept of the Information Society and the belief that information and communication are rights and not commodities. There are many other issues - some of which address more technical aspects - which also concern NGOs and excluded populations, like service and connection costs. As Carlos Afonso states in an article published by the APC:

�(...) there are issues which affect virtually all the countries in the South - and some of these issues are technically complex, requiring the respective expertise for accompanying and forming proposals. One of these issues refers to conditions for exchange of data internationally, in addition to connection service costs in each country. There is a massive transfer taking place of funds from countries in the South to the large �backbone� Internet operators in the US.

The Internet is configured in such a way that it is not possible to send data over it without making at least one consultation to the directory servers (the root servers operated by ICANN) in the USA. To send such data, a direct physical connection between the country in which the user is located and the USA is not necessary, however one way or another the US �backbones� must be used for the service. This in addition to the fact that the vast majority of international information indexing services, plus 70% of the content, is located in U.S. servers � i.e. under the current network system, it is not possible to use the Internet without directly or indirectly connecting to the USA, regardless of the country in which you located".

As can be seen, though they may appear distant from the reality and immediate interests of most NGOs, the technical issues determine whether the free exchange of information and the autonomy and sovereignty of countries is possible (or impossible). We must not lose sight of these issues. All those involved in defending democracy and combating social inequality must demand that individuals have control over the use of information and communication technology, above all with respect to the Internet. Decision-making - regardless of the scope - must always take into consideration the desires, requirements and priorities of individuals, whichever country they are in. It should be remembered that individuals using communication and information technologies are not instantaneously transformed into users � they remain individuals, however, individuals in an area which goes beyond their borders. Their participation in projects or programs concerning info-inclusion, universal access and - for those already using the internet - governance and rights on the Internet is fundamental for the democratic construction of an information society which is truly for all individuals.

Concrete experiences in Brazil - what works, what doesn�t...

In August 2000, a decree was issued concerning the regulation of Fust - Fund for the Universalization of Telecommunication Services, established by Law No. 9.998 of August 17,2000. Fust was set up with the aim of providing funds for making telecommunication services universal, in accordance with the goals stipulated in the PGMU (General Plan of Universalization Goals) of the Fixed-Line Telephone Service. The only national public policy with the aim of making Internet access in Brazil universal, Fust gave hope for a while to those people involved in the task of making access to new technology in Brazil more democratic. Over two years and billions of reals (the Brazilian currency) later, Fust is synonymous with disappointment. It is uncertain what the funds obtained by collecting 1% of the gross receipts of the telecommunications companies were used for. There was and is money, but nothing has been accomplished. Lack of transparency and control by the individual, and drawn out legal disputes as a result of the arbitrary nature of the procedures for decision-making on the use of funds � many things happened. One less effective info-inclusion program in Brazil. The future of Fust remains unclear, however it is still hoped the present government will use it appropriately when it requires. Meanwhile, efficient info-inclusion initiatives do well - and are fruitful.

The experiences of deploying community Internet access centers in Brazil provide a good example of this. These community Internet access centers are spaces open to the public in which access to the Internet is free or very cheap; in which people are trained to use the information and communication tools and are made aware of the possibilities of their use. The centers have proven to be an effective alternative for overcoming the digital divide.

Successful projects like that run by the Sao Paulo City Council demonstrate on a daily basis just how fruitful the interaction between government, NGOs and the private sector can be as part of the process of combating digital exclusion. The centers have been installed in poor areas of Sao Paulo City and have provided new possibilities for people and the communities. The centers are producing individuals critical to the use of ICT and the internet, who can take from the technology by giving it meaning - access to greater numbers of work and income opportunities, access to public services, production of content, leaving the mark of their culture and daily experiences on the Internet, and communicating with their equals (or unequals). The community's participation in deploying and conducting the activities in the community Internet access centers, the partnership with non-governmental organizations operating in the communities and the recognition of local knowledge, people and cultures has enabled challenges to be overcome - like the high levels of violence in some regions in which the community Internet access centers operate - and the effective incorporation of this new world into each community. Not just info-inclusion but also social inclusion has been achieved - which is the only way that accessing and using technology makes sense.

There are further examples. Projects like ComUnidade Brasil, a joint initiative by the Programa Comunidade Ativa (Active Community Program), Comunidade Solid�ria, Unesco, the Executive Secretary of the Electronic Government, the Electronic Agency, the National Program for Peace in Schools (the state Secretary of Human Rights, of the Ministry of Justice) and the Plan for Preventing Urban Violence (PAIPS, coordinated by the Institutional Security Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic) are taking proposals for digital inclusion to very differing corners - in this case, the pilot project was implemented in the municipality of Santo Antonio do Leverger, in the state of Mato Grosso. At the end of 2002 in Rio de Janeiro, RITS opened a community Internet access center in the neighborhood of Santa Marta, in partnership with the Eco Group - a social organization which has been operating in the area for twenty-four years.

In addition to the projects in Brazil, it is most important to take a look around and see a number of very interesting proposals which are being prepared in several countries in Latin America. �A good way of becoming further acquainted with the info-inclusion initiatives in the region, or more specifically through the installation of community Internet access centers, is to see the work of the group (www.tele-centros.org) coordinated by the ChasquiNet Foundation and Quito Ecuador, and supported by the International Development Research Centre in Canada. This virtual community brings together experiences from some 1,500 community Internet access centers in 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Conclusion

The information society is here, irrespective of those who can be considered a part of this or not. The inherent possibilities could be encouraging or terrifying, and the difference between one outcome and another depends on which priorities are established when conducting the societies and relationships between people. It would be naive to expect that the dominating powers and interests, which have directed the course of history thus far, will occupy themselves with defending human and individual rights, in whatever way. �On the other hand, it would also be naive to think that opposing these powers is futile or that the responsibility lies with those bearing specific knowledge or working on projects directly linked to technology and the Internet. It is up to each and every individual on the planet to strive towards an information society whereby all individuals enjoy equal opportunities to access information, knowledge, and means and opportunities for expression. It must never be forgotten that we, human beings, compose the information society, and without us the Internet is possible.