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.
Technology initiatives
that improve the lives of people and communities
"Connectivity
is a term referring to the means by which people are connected
to or are able to access communications channels such as
the internet, email, computer and people networks."
The
theme for this year's award recognised community initiatives
that use the internet and other digital communication networks
to access markets, skills and opportunities to derive real
economic benefits.
ELIGIBILITY
CRITERIA
APC's
objective was to recognise Latin American and Caribbean
(LAC) ICT efforts, and to extract some of the lessons learned
in order to make them accessible to others doing related
work.
Nominations
were judged according to these 3 main criteria:
1.
Positive Economic Contribution
* The
project demonstrates a positive economic contribution to
the community
* Has a long term vision for sustaining impact which includes
training and developing local expertise
* Provides an equal opportunity for participation by the
community regardless of sex, religion, political persuasion
or income levels
* Is documented so that others can learn from the model
2.
Driven and Developed in Latin American and Caribbean
* Developed
and implemented by people and/or organisations based in
Latin American and Caribbean
* Must be local and community-based
3.
Sustainable use of technology
* Offers
or makes use of technology that is available and supported
locally
* Demonstrates an understanding of the relationship between
technology and the needs of the community on the ground.
Extra
points were awarded for projects that predominantly use
free and open source software and projects that utilise
LAC's natural resources (e.g. solar or wind power)
THE
PRIZE WAS OPEN TO: Civil society organisations,
community-based groups, networks, and social movements anywhere
in LAC. Applications were accepted in Spanish, Portuguese
and English.
THE
PRIZE: USD$ 7,500.00 was shared amongst
two winning initiatives.
