The Internet has not
yet been converted into a giant online shopping mall. There
are thousands of projects big and small working online
around the world that prove that the Internet can be, and
is being, used as a powerful tool for development and social
justice.
The Association for Progressive Communications
(APC) has been working with non governmental organisations,
activists,
and social movements since 1990 to facilitate their work
through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).
The APC Betinho Communications Prize was launched to mark
APC's tenth anniversary in 2000, and to recognise
and document outstanding examples of how the Internet can make a real difference for the world's
communities today.
The $7,500 USD prize commemorates the inspirational life
and work of Herbet de Souza (Betinho), a visionary Brazilian
social activist.
A regional prize for Latin America and the Caribbean
Following the success of APC’s first
regional prize – the APC Africa Hafkin Communications
Prize – and the wealth of exceptional and sometimes
little known initiatives that were brought into the spotlight,
in 2003, the Betinho Prize was offered in recognition of
outstanding examples of ICT use specifically based in Latin
America and the Caribbean. Applications were accepted in
some of the most widely used languages in the region - Spanish,
Portuguese and English.
Technology initiatives that improve the lives of people
and communities
In 2003, the APC Betinho Prize recognised:
People-centred information
and communication technology initiatives |
Eligible initiatives demonstrated their
ICT initiative is/has:
1. People centred and mobilises participation
2. Positive community impact
3. Driven and developed in Latin America and/or the Caribbean
We particularly encouraged initiatives
that:
-
Promote a culture
of peace, mutual respect and tolerance
-
Monitor the defence
of civil liberties
-
Promote the democratisation
of the media
-
Make or use community-focused
free and open source software
-
Encourage the use of
ICTs by women
-
Encourage the use of
ICTs by traditionally marginalised communities
-
Facilitate
the creation and/or adoption of people-centred ICT
policies
THE PRIZE WAS OPEN
TO: civil society organisations, community-based groups,
networks, and social movements* anywhere in Latin America
and the Caribbean. Applications were accepted in some of the
most widely used languages in the region - Spanish, Portuguese
and English.
THE PRIZE: USD$7,500.00
was shared amongst to three initiatives.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS:
APC accepted nominations for the Betinho Prize until August
15 2003. The stories of the finalists were profiled on
this website, and the winner was announced on November 2,
2003.
|
