DescriptionThe Committee for Democracy in
Information Technology (CDI) is a non-profit, non-governmental
organization that, since 1995, has been pioneering an initiative to
promote social inclusion by using information and communication
technologies as tools to encourage active citizenship.
CDI
implements educational programs in Brazil as well as in 10 other nations
on 3 continents through its Information Technology and Citizens Rights
Schools, mobilizing excluded segments of society and helping to
transform their reality. They work in partnership with low-income
community centers and special needs individuals including the visually
impaired, mentally disabled, homeless children, prisoners, and
indigenous populations. Learning new technologies not only expands job
possibilities, but also gives access to knowledge and encourages social
interchange. CDI believes this initiative contributes to changing the
lives of individuals and has a profound impact on community development.
At the schools students learn how to use computers and software through
a socio-educational approach developed by CDI - classes discuss issues
of particular interest to their community, such as human rights,
environment, sexual education, health and non-violence. Furthermore, the
model is based on the concept of helping people help themselves. CDI
trains the future teachers of the schools, who, in turn, will train
others back in their communities. Each school is an autonomous unit,
self-managed and self-sustainable through a symbolic contribution
collected from its students. This fund covers the maintenance costs and
the payment of instructors in an authentic social enterprise. Presently,
there are 833 autonomous and self-sustaining Information Technology and
Citizens Rights Schools using CDIs methodology and model concept. As a
result of the organization's work, more than 536,900 children and young
people have been trained in information technology and introduced to
citizens rights.
Visit Summary
To start, CDI headquarters staff presented the companys history,
mission, goals, teaching philosophies and overall successes. The
presenters exhibited a great deal of dedication and spoke very fondly of
their work. Whether they were finding computers that could be donated to
a school or trying to convince a company to partner with them, the
energy level remains the same. The headquarters was somewhat corporate
in feel as would be expected from an international organization, but the
spirit of giving was inspiring.
The CDI methodology is essentially
that of a franchise CDI provides the resources of computers and teacher
training but the community must supply the physical space, commitment
and drive. Often one person in a community who decides to become a CDI
instructor and open a school motivates the rest of the community as they
see that success is possible, providing just the role model that is
needed. The schools are also designed to be self-sufficient prompting
the community to find novel ways to keep it running, such as opening and
maintaining a cyber caf or collecting empty print cartridges for
recycling.
While enrolled in a course, students learn to be proud
of their communities by developing a project of their choosing to be
completed using computers. Examples of class projects include creating a
local newsletter, compiling the music of artists from the neighborhood,
and developing a campaign to help citizens understand recycling. The
success of the project depends entirely on the input of the class. These
methods increase self-esteem of the students, and it becomes contagious.
Soon parents want to get involved with CDI, as do other children who
might have been moving in the direction of gangs or drugs. The most
telling statistic is that 87% of students believe the courses contribute
to a positive change in their lives.
After the presentation, the
DePaul class had the opportunity to see a CDI school in session. We
drove to one of Rios largest favelas (Portuguese for slum) for an
experience none of us will soon forget. Walking uphill with a guard from
the neighborhood for protection, we saw extreme poverty and were advised
not to take any photographs. The school was set inside a community
center where vocational courses like baking were taught. The building
was crumbling, but it is one of the few places that community residents
feel safe.
Only 5 people could enter the classroom at any one time
because it was so small. The rest had the chance to look around the
bulletin boards and old bookshelves to get a feel for the reality of the
students there. Once inside the classroom, the teacher who was one of
the first students ever taught at this school, introduced the class
project. The students were all at computers using the Internet for
research, typing text in Word, or creating graphics. It was truly
amazing to see so many people helping themselves in positive ways
through courses taught by CDI.
Related
Links