The Piraí Digital Project
Connected to the world without losing the identity
Digital Exclusion leads to Social Exclusion. Democratization of the access to the means of information and communication by way of implementing a network for voice and data transmission, thus generating opportunities for social and economic development. Information access for all, including, the rural population. Teachers, technical and administrative public employees as well as the community participate in programs on new technologies for education.
The Main Objective The objective of the PIRAÍ Digital City project is to grant democratic access to existing information and communication resources, thus generating economic and social opportunities, therefore broadening the city horizons by using and managing knowledge through the implementation of a voice/data transmission network to make the access to the broadband internet possible. This project confirms the strategic vision of a local information society, with citizens as the main actors in producing, managing and enjoying the benefits brought by new information and communication technologies.
The Project Preparation For the project preparation, three main points have been taken into consideration: network architecture, management design, and social control design. The network architecture has been developed to grant universal access and create a new city infrastructure through a digital communication service. Therefore, it would be possible to cross the limits of the present point-to-point digital inclusion and create a new network to integrate the existing infrastructure network such as electric energy, sanitation, etc.
The Project Preparation Starting from such physical infrastructure, a management outline was consolidated with the creation of four large activity areas, each one with specific goals:.gov,.edu,.org, and.com. The first one -.GOV was in charge of developing the e-government and electronic governance. The.EDU area developed new pedagogic methods in the laboratories, by adapting the present curriculum parameters. The.ORG area implemented telecommunication centers, offering services and courses. Finally, the.com area will allow the community to access the Internet at low rates.
The Project Preparation The third main point social control has been exercised through the formation of the City Advisory Board to observe the territorial impact of the changes on the city.
The Project
Starting the Project The result was the formulation of a SHSW system (a Hybrid System with Wireless Support), which may be installed and replicated in small towns at a low cost and with flexible technology. This system has been installed and used throughout the city.
Management The different leaderships in projects development and the need to join different activities, advise us to create a Board of Managers that support the program development.
Piraí.GOV This area as been implemented by the Modernization Program of Tax Administration and Management of Basic Social Sectors (BNDES PMAT). The first phase of this project is administrative modernization. Piraí.ORG The project Piraí.Org will work with Federal Fluminense University and NGOs initiatives that have been developed in the County, such as those already developed with VIVA RIO in the education and community development areas.
Piraí.GOV
Piraí.ORG
Piraí.EDU The project is a part of the digital inclusion and the main targets are the County education network and the community in general. It can contribute to the democratization of knowledge and an effective participation of the citizens in their family life, work, school and another social spaces. Piraí.COM Enterprise integration in the constitution of telecommunications infra-structure network as a community asset contributing to process of digital inclusion, a social responsibility.
Piraí.EDU
Piraí.COM
More Than a Project, It is a Reality
Key Dates Inauguration of an Online University - the result of a Consortium formed by Public Universities (04/2002). The creation of the Online University introduces a Human Development course in the city, which incorporates new information and knowledge technologies. Signature of an Agreement with UFF (Fluminense Federal University) for implementation of the Piraí Digital Project (08/2002). Such Agreement will enable the project design and implementation, utilizing the University s human resources.
Key Dates The formation of a City Advisory Board to observe the Digital City Master Plan (01/2004). The Advisory Board has been formed aiming to motivate the community and analyze the project territorial impact. Inauguration of the entire network in the SHSW System, as well as telecommunication centers, laboratories and kiosks (02/2004).
The Network Up to now, the network implementation has represented the greatest challenge faced by the project because of the existing difficulties. In the first place, we could not entirely trust that the telephone companies would be able to install digital telephone lines (DSL) in a short time. According to the Brazilian Telecommunications Agency ANATEL s forecast, such installation was foreseen for the period 2010-2014.
The Radio Towers: The Network
The Cable Connection:
The Community Expansion:
Connecting Other Cities:
Access points: 25 Cost: US$ 235.000,00 The First Wireless Network
Access points: 35 (40% more) Cost: US$ 100.000,00 (58% less) The Optimized SHSW Network
Access points: 52 Schools: 20 Cost: US$ 340.000,00 The Great Network Working as One
The Education The Public Online University (CEDERJ-PIRAÍ), inaugurated in 2002, has a strategic role in the project. The Rio de Janeiro Online Learning Center CEDERJ is a consortium formed by public universities, with online college courses. CEDERJ offers extension courses, giving priority to those courses focusing on CIT like the Digital and Cyberspace Exclusion Course (UERJ), Education-oriented Information Technology (UFF).
The Management The main project planning activity was to create a monitoring and evaluating system. The monitoring system aims at combining quantitative and qualitative researches, identifying how the population has incorporated the new information and communication technologies in their daily life. Four levels were analyzed management, effects, results, and impacts.
The Sustainability The sustainability dimension is being worked on both the public and the private dimension integrating the network. The SHSW network had its link, so Municipal Government is the Internet Service Provider and shall be the funds provider. The project has been thoroughly followed by the City Advisory Board. Telecenters are being formed - with a management board - which will enable the community to participate in the definition of the courses to be drawn up and carried out. This means aiming at sustainability through the social capital production.
Main Impact Indicators Result Index 50 % of the public workers with high capacity of using computers 100% of the public workers can comunnicate using email All the public buildings cennected to internet All Schools connected to internet All the students use the labs. 10% of the population use the labs 10 kiosks are installed Status 30% 100% 100% 90% 90% 10% 60%
Information is Everyone s Right Technology is the means to achive it
The Lessons that we have learn It is necessary to adopt technology and make it suitable for the reality of each territory and Society. Identify and utilize the human and cognitive material present in the community. Create local governance spaces so as to influence the community positively and allow it to appropriate the TICs and use them in their daily life. Carry on planning and monitoring collectively, for consolidation of a management team and for generation of a new administrative culture.
The Lessons that we have learn Improving managerial skills is essential to reach selfsustainability and this has had an impact on the definition of human resources with management abilities. Indicators shall be built together with the beneficiaries so as to enable them to become the subjects of the process. The development of specific didactic material for those communities is essential, because a specific language will be important in achieving the courses objectives. One of the best impact indicators, though difficult to be measured, is the population self-esteem.
National Recognition
Ford CONIP Foundation Price and Getulio Vargas Foundation Award
International Recognition
Local Recognition
The Team: Luiz Fernando de Souza Pezão Official Representative Franklin Dias Coelho General Coordinator Maria Helena Cautiero Jardim Executive Coordinator Arthur Henrique Ferreira Mayor Luiz Antônio Neves Vice-Mayor André Macara - Dot.com Manager Gustavo Ferreira Dot.gov Manager Kariane Dot.org Manager
Our Partners
Thank you for your attention piraidigital@pirai.rj.gov.br Contact: Franklin Coelho or Maria Helena Horta Jardim www.piraidigital.com.br