By APCNews MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay,
Published onPage last updated on
On December 13, the Third Sector Information Network (Rede de Informações para o Terceiro Setor – Rits) launched its Centre for Research, Study and Education (Núcleo de Pesquisa, Estudos e Formação – Nupef). The objective of the initiative is to organise and promote research, disseminate knowledge, and train and qualify people in various fields and on various subjects related to civil society’s position in terms of the challenges created by the dynamics of the information and communication society.
Nupef’s first accomplishment is the launch of the book “Internet Governance – Background, Obstacles and Ways Forward” (Governança da Internet – Contexto, Impasses e Caminhos), organised by Rits’s Director of Planning and Strategy, Carlos Afonso, who is also a member of Brazil’s Internet Management Committee (Comitê Gestor da Internet no Brasil).
Nupef
Rits’ Centre for Research, Study and Education (Nupef) was created with the objective of promoting research and the production of knowledge on ICT-related subjects in terms of civil society’s requirements. Its mission is to fulfil the role of training and qualifying people.
Although it is intrinsically linked to Rits’s daily operations and objectives, Nupef will have its own organisational structure, designed to train leaders in need of in-depth studies and research, induce debate and reflection on themes related to the information and communication society, and strengthen the work of groups that monitor public policy.
Operating in the area of civil society and the information society, Nupef will discuss themes such as:
- The legal framework of the third sector
- The impact of ICTs on civil society organisations, networks and movements
- Digital inclusion
- Community networks
- Internet governance and infrastructure
- Knowledge content and democratisation
- Networks to strengthen civil society based on ICT use.
Through the identification of its operational scope and desired line of work, the following strategic activities are planned for Nupef’s structuring and operations:
. Data analysis and production of research and indicators on civil society in the information society
. Development of focussed and thematic studies aiming at participation in the public policy formulation process and in the establishment of a framework for national and international agreements.
. Training and capacity building of personnel, and incentives to incorporate themes related to the information and communication society, such as themes of political relevance for civil society organisations.
. The organisation of learning communities using information and communications technologies.
. Publications of books and policy papers.
Rits
The Third Sector Information Network (Rits) is a private, independent, non-profit organisation that was founded in 1997 with the objective of being a virtual information network, focussed on strengthening civil society organisations and social movements. A description of the organisation’s main projects is available at http://www.rits.org.br/projetos.
For more information
Graciela Selaimen: graciela at rits.org.br
Fausto Rêgo: fausto at rits.org.br
