INVITATION
FIFTH PERMANENT FORUM ON LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN NETWORKS
Lima, Peru
April 1996
The participating institutions in the construction of the Latin
American and Caribbean (LAC) Internet have developed with great
effort the basis of a networking infrastructure and culture in this
region. Much of this effort has been supported to a large degree by
certain individuals and international organizations.
Four years after our first meeting in Rio de Janeiro, sponsored by
the RedHUCyT project of the Organization of American States (OAS) and
by different national organizations, most of the non-profit, national
and academic networks have matured considerably.
Meanwhile, the Internet is rapidly changing and has become a hot
topic. Many national telephone carriers (PTTs) are now involved in
this new market.
It is in this context that we, as a region, believe that it is
necessary to seize the opportunities and face the problems that will
become present in the following years. It is urgent, as said by the
Uruguayan Ida Holz, to "be one step ahead of the great changes".
Taking these ideas into account the Red Cientifica Peruana (RCP),
along with all of the non-profit, national and academic networks,
cordially invites you to participate in the FIFTH PERMANENT FORUM OF
LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN NETWORKS that will take place during
April 14-19, 1996 in Lima, Peru.
The objectives of this Forum are the following:
- Prepare LAC to act together in future worldwide events where
decisions are taken that affect the future of its Internet. As a
result of this, we will prepare ourselves for INET 96 in Montreal
and for the Sixth Permanent Forum, which will take place in
Santiago de Chile the following September.
- Decide about the formation of a formal body that will encourage
LAC's Internet development. At the same time the future role of
the Permanent Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Networks will
be discussed.
- Examine ways in which networks turn into agents of social,
cultural and economic change in LAC.
- Exchange information about the latest technical and policy
changes related to the LAC Internet.
This Forum will focus on the following:
- ACCOUNTABILITY TO END-USERS. Networks and PTTs do not have any
intrinsic value. Rather, their value is based on the extent to
which they can provide high quality, accessible services and be
held accountable to end-users.
- WIDE PARTICIPATION. All the actors involved in the development of
the LAC Internet will participate in this Forum. In contrast to
its predecessors, where only network administrators participated,
we are now inviting representatives of PTTs, end users and
international experts.
Moreover, the organization of this Forum will be done exclusively
by the Red Cientifica Peruana, but rather by an international
Organizing Committee, integrated by the following people:
Estela Barone
ebarone@secyt.gov.ar
Coordinator
RECyT Red Cientifica y Tecnologica Nacional
Assistant Secretary on Informatics and Development
of the Presidency of Argentina
Ida Holz
holz@seciu.uy
Director
Servicio Central de Informatica de la Universidad de la Republica de
Uruguay
Karin Delgadillo
karin@clai.ecx.ec
President
Ecuanex
Saul Hahn
shahn@umd5.umd.edu
Coordinator of Basic Sciences and Networks
Organization of American States (OAS)
Ing. Jesus Martinez Alfonso
jemar@ceniai.cu
Director CENIAI
Cuba
Luis German Rodriguez L.
lgrodrig@conicit.ve
Professor
Universidad Central de Venezuela
Maria Saenz
msaenz@amauta.rcp.net.pe
Coordinator V Foro
Red Cientifica Peruana
Jose Soriano
js@rcp.net.pe
General Manager
Red Cientifica Peruana- Internet Peru
Amalia Souza
apcadmin@ax.apc.org
Assistant Coordinator
International Secretariat
Asociacion para el Progreso de las Comunicaciones
Florencio Utreras
futretas@reuna.cl
Red Universitaria Nacional (REUNA)
Chile
Edmundo Vitale
evitale@faces.ula.ve
Coordinator REDULA
Venezuela
I. FORUM STAGES
The Forum is divided into three stages: a LAC Internet strategic
planning workshop, a paper presentation session about seven current
topics, and a closing ceremony, in which the future of the Peruvian Internet will be discussed. In the first stage, a group of multidisciplinary Internet experts will participate and will be responsible for disseminating the results. The other two stag
es are addressed to a wider audience of people interested in the LAC Internet.
The Organizing Committee will meet four days before the Forum in
order to prepare a discussion document which will be the basis for
the strategic planning workshop. This document will take into
consideration the presentation papers sent to the Organizing
Committee, following the instructions mentioned below.
I.1. LAC INTERNET STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP
Networks and PTT representatives, users and experts will examine the
achivements and most important problems ahead for the LAC Internet
development. This group will search for regional solutions to shared
needs.
The main topics of the workshop will be (footnote 1):
- PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNET SOCIETY (ISOC). During the
last ISOC meeting, INET 95, the enormous changes ocurring
within the Internet were a main point of discussion. Low
LAC representation in the ISOC has restricted real
participation of the region in ISOC's decision-making
processes. There is great interest to combine our efforts
in order to participate more actively in those processes.
- THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL NETWORKS. National networks, which
bring together the efforts of the non-profit, academic,
gubernamental, private and non-governmental sectors, have the
potential to ensure the stability of Internet access to LAC's
civil society. The workshop will closely examine the lessons
learned by national networks, in order to define their
role in the development of LAC.
- STRENGTHENING OF TIES BETWEEN NETWORKS AND PTTs. Networks
and PTTs have often seen each other as competitors. This
workshop will gather representatives from both sides in order
to find areas in which the two can work together.
- THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT. The existance or lack of national
policies and regulations on information and
telecommunications have had an important impact on the
Internet development. We need to understand the current
state of these policies and regulations in order to find
areas in which we can act, and to plan for the development of
our services.
- COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE INTERNET. One of the hottest topics
in 1995 has been the commercialization of the Internet. In
this new context we must protect the interests of all end
users.
- INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. The Internet is more than
simply cables and plugs. It is a space for information
exchange. We are capable of providing technical support to
place Spanish- and Portuguese-language information resources
on-line. The complex relationships among different
information resources, and the creation of infomation about
on-line information will be two important areas of work
during the following years.
- LAC BACKBONE. The importance of strengthening our regional
infrastructure has been widely discussed for years. One of
the crucial points is the creation of a regional backbone
that can provide various access points to the global
Internet. Before the start of the Forum we will make
available on the Web the latest backbone developments so that
they can be discussed during the Forum.
- SELF-SUSTAINABILITY AND FUND RAISING. Participants will
analize the alternatives for achieving financial
sustainability, taking into consideration the creation of
mechanisms of coordination and mutual support, as well as the
role of the donor community.
- CREATION OF A PERMANENT LAC COORDINATING ENTITY. One of the
most important points of this workshop will be deciding
whether or not we should create an executive and coordinating
body for LAC Internet development. If so, the Forum's
participants will define its mission and mode of operation.
In another memo which will be sent before the start of the Forum, the
Organizing Committee will offer the details of the workshop
methodology, which will make use of strategic planning tools applied
by professional consultants.
I.2. PAPER PRESENTATION
During two-and-a-half days, experts will present papers about several
current topics. These papers may include case studies, innovative
proposals and experiences that are important to share with the LAC
Internet community.
Please send your papers to the Organizing Committee. The following
topics are encouraged:
- POLICIES AND REGULATIONS. Changes inside the Internet force
us to adapt today's policies and regulations in order to
ensure the development and accessibility of its services to
the LAC civil society.
- SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPACT. Fast and low-cost communication
and information exchange at the local, regional and global
promise the emergence of a new era for humanity. The effects
of the Internet are already being felt by people who work in
many fields, such as health, environment, human rights, rural
and urban development, as well as in the organizational
culture of institutions where these individuals work and in
the communities where they live.
- EDUCATION. The Internet has brought change to the
educational system. Interactive distance education, the
increase of creativity and the new distinctive attitude
toward the use of information have all resulted from the use
of the Internet.
- SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE ON THE INTERNET. Given that most
information available on the Internet is in English, Latin
Amerian society cannot take full advantage of this
technology. Important efforts are underway to support
information producers in Spanish and Portuguese in placing
their resources on-line. Other persons have chosen to
translate the information written in other languages into
Spanish and Portuguese.
- MARKETING AND COMMERCE THROUGH THE INTERNET. Marketing
through the Internet has allowed small and medium businesses
to compete on more equal terms against large businesses. The
way people exchange goods and services is changing at all
levels. We have the opportunity to learn from the successes
and failures of other countries that are investing resources
to make the Internet the new global trade avenue.
- TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES. Many software and hardware
innovations are being adapted to LAC and, in some cases,
developed. Multimedia, information management and recovery
techniques, friendly end-user interfaces lead the list.
Network administrators are incorporating new protocols,
designs, and other concepts into their networks.
- END-USER SUPPORT. The use of the Internet intimidates many
users. In order to eliminate cultural and technical barriers
we must offer user-friendly and low-cost services and
training, which show users how to employ Internet tools for
their own benefit and that of their community.
Please send your presentation papers according to the following
instructions:
- Papers in Spanish, Portuguese and English are accepted.
Please keep your papers under 2,500 words.
- Send a complete version of your paper in ASCII before March 1
1996 to the following e-mail address:
<ponencias-foro@rcp.net.pe>.
- Include with your paper a summary; author's information; main
contact; topic of your paper according to the above-mentioned
list; and keywords. (The information on each person must
include e-mail and postal addresses, as well as street
address, and voice and fax numbers).
On March 8 1996, the Organizing Committee will inform you whether or
not your paper has been accepted for presentation, and instructions
for you to send the final version of your paper before March 12, so
that it may be included in the Forum proceedings.
I.3. CLOSING CEREMONY
Decision makers in the Peruvian government, private enterprise,
national and international development organizations and universities
will join us for the Forum's closing session. Participants will
discuss the Forum's conclusions and the creation of policies
and regulations which would provide a frame of reference for the
continuing development of the Peruvian Internet.
II. LOGISTICS
======================================================================
LOGISTICS: FIFTH PERMANENT FORUM ON LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN
NETWORKS April 14-19, Lima, Peru
======================================================================
The following are the logistical aspects of the forum:
- Date and place
- Application deadline
- Languages
- Costs - complete package
- Costs - Registration only
- Method of payment
- Discounts
- Financial support
- Flight reservations
- Passports and visas
- Reception at the airport
- Weather
- Currency
IMPORTANT: CHOOSING A HOTEL: If you will be covering your hotel expenses, please inform us the hotel and type of room where you would like to stay, so that we may make the reservations before FEBRUARY 19. You will find below the information about hotels.
== DATE AND PLACE ==
STAGE DATE PLACE
======================================================================
Strategic Planning April 14-16 Jose Antonio Hotel
Workshop
Paper Presentations April 17-19 Ricardo Palma Auditorium
Closing session April 19 Ricardo Palma Auditorium
(afternoon)
Participants must arrive in Lima, Peru at the latest the night before the
date of the stage they plan to attend.
The Jose Antonio Hotel is located at Ave. 28 de Julio No. 398, Miraflores, Lima (phone: +51 (1) 445-6870 and 446-6058; fax: 448-8295), a few blocks from the offices of the Red Cientifica Peruana (RCP). The Ricardo Palma Auditorium is located in the same
building as the RCP offices are.
== APPLICATION DEADLINE ==
February 23 is the deadline for sending your application for this event. (At the end of this message you will find an application form). Final confirmation of your assistance must be received before
March 10.
== LANGUAGES ==
The main languages of the event will be Spanish and Portuguese. Simultaneous translation services for English speakers will be provided.
== COSTS - COMPLETE PACKAGE ==
INCLUDED: registration, materials, accomodations, meals, and round-trip airport-hotel.
ONE STAGE (Workshop on Strategic Planning or Paper Presentation and
Closing Ceremony):
Hotel Jose Antonio Se~norial*
4 stars 3 stars
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Room type Single Double Single Double
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional** US$ 700 US$ 550 US$ 475 US$ 425
General US$ 800 US$ 650 US$ 575 US$ 525
ALL STAGES (Workshop on Strategic Planning, Paper Presentation and
Closing Ceremony):
Hotel Jose Antonio Se~norial*
4 stars 3 stars
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Room type Single Double Single Double
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional** US $ 1150 US $ 875 US $ 725 US $ 600
General US $ 1250 US $ 975 US $ 825 US $ 750
* The Hotel "Se~norial" is located on Ave. Jose Gonzales No. 567
(telefax: +51 (1) 444-5755 and 445-7306), just a few blocks from the Hotel "Jose Antonio" and the Red Cientifica Peruana.
** The Institutional category includes NGOs, academic and governmental
institutions.
== COSTS - REGISTRATION ONLY ==
INCLUDED: entrance to the forum, refreshments and materials.
ONE STAGE (Workshop on Strategic Planning or Paper Presentation and
Closing Ceremony):
Institutional US$ 65
(NGOs, academic and governmental institutions)
General US$ 95
ALL STAGES (Workshop on Strategic Planning, Paper Presentation and
Closing Ceremony):
Institutional US$130
(NGOs, academic and governmental institutions)
General US$190
== METHOD OF PAYMENT ==
Payment can be made as follows:
- By bank transfer to the US-Dollar account 182-2-005388 of the Banco Continental del Peru, to the order of Red Cientifica Peruana. Please send receipt of the transfer by fax to Ana Maria Laca at the RCP.
- On your arrival in Peru, cash in US Dollars (or Soles in the case of local participants), or with traveler's checks in US Dollars.
== DISCOUNTS ==
Discounts shall be given to persons or institutions whose lectures
have been selected by the Organizing Committee:
US$100 for all activities to the forum and US$50 for one activity.
== FINANCIAL SUPPORT ==
If you need financial support to cover the participation costs (lodging, meals, materials, and registration) and/or your airplane ticket, please send your application to the following e-mail address: <becas-foro@rcp.net.pe>. Forms may be sent also by fax
or submitted in person. Your application must be supported by the executive head office of your institution, specifying the costs to be covered by you or your institution and those requiring financial support.
We will try to provide support for as many people as possible, giving
priority to those who contribute with papers. FULL FINANCIAL SUPPORT
WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. All participants must contribute according to
their possibilities.
At the beginning of March, the Organizing Committee shall give
response to financial support applications.
== FLIGHT RESERVATIONS ==
All persons interested in taking part in the Fifth Forum are requested
to make their flight **reservations** as soon as possible. Once the
registration and financial support forms are processed by the
Organizing Committee, you will be asked to purchase your tickets.
== PASSPORTS AND VISAS ==
We suggest that you verify that your passport is valid through early May 1996. Please ask the Peruvian Consulate in your country whether you need a visa to enter Peru.
== RECEPTION AT THE AIRPORT ==
A representative of the Red Cientifica Peruana will be waiting
for you at the "Jorge Chavez" International Airport upon your arrival
to take you to the hotel. The representative will have a sign bearing your name.
== WEATHER ==
The city of Lima is 60 meters above the sea level. The Forum will take
place during the last week of Summer. Annual average temperature is 20
C, decreasing some degrees late in the afternoon and at night. Average
humidity is 80%. The weather is usually sunny or cloudy, but it hardly ever rains. It gets dark by 6:30 pm. Thick winter clothes are not recommended; light jackets or cotton sweaters for evenings are enough.
== CURRENCY ==
The local currency is "Nuevo Sol" (S/.). One US dollar is equal to
S/.2.33 approximately. Exchange can be made at any bank or money
exchange house; there are several near the hotels and the RCP. Most banks are open until 4:00 PM (no lunch break). Many people exchange money in the street, some of the are registered. However, we do not recommend that you exchange money with them.
Many businesses and shops accept all international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Diners, American Express), as well as US Dollars.
If you are interested in this forum, please contact the Organizing
Committee as soon as possible to make your reservation, send your
lectures and receive any additional information. Maria Saenz coordinates this Committee.
Thanks to all of you who have already sent the registration form.
For any information on this forum, refer to
E-mail comite-foro@rcp.net.pe
Gopher gopher://gopher.rcp.net.pe
WWW http://www.rcp.net.pe/VFORO
Voice +51 (1) 954-4799 (new number), 241-5689 and 241-5696
Fax +51 (1) 241-1320
We are looking forward to seeing you in the Forum.
FOOTNOTES
Note 1. These topics were obtained from the network administrators
discussion in the electronic list <enredo@conicit.ve>.
-----------------------------------------------------------
APPLICATION FORM
FIFTH PERMANENT FORUM OF LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN NETWORKS
Lima, Peru
April 1996
1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
1.1. Last name:
1.2. First name:
1.3. Sex (m/f):
1.4. Telephone (home):
1.5. Nationality:
1.6. Languages in which you are fluent:
1.7. Smoke (yes/no):
1.8. Special food habits:
1.9. Other important information to ensure adecuate
accomodations, meals, and transportion:
2. INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION
2.1. Name of your institution:
2.2. Position:
2.3. Postal address:
2.4. Street address:
2.5. E-mail address:
2.6. Tel:
2.7. Fax:
3. FORUM PARTICIPATION
3.1. Please mark with an "X" the Forum stages in which you plan
to attend:
() Strategic Planning Workshop April 14-16
() Paper Presentation April 17-19
() Closing ceremony April 19 (afternoon)
3.2. Have you applied or do you plan to apply for a partial
scholarship in order to participate in this Forum (yes/no)?
If you answered YES, please indicate the expenses for which
you will need financial support:
If you answered NO, please indicate the fee (hotel and room type)
that you will be paying. (Refer to the fee included in the
Logistics section):
3.3. Will you present a paper in the Forum (yes/no)?
If you answered YES, please indicate the title of your paper:
3.4. How did you learn about this event for the first time?
3.5. In which of the topics included in the Forum are you
interested?
Please mail this form to comite-foro@rcp.net.pe