How the Internet bridges traditional and contemporary knowledge in the Brazilian Amazon (en)

Debora Leal Many communities in the Amazon region of the Brazilian
north are without internet or mobile connectivity, especially in
areas without road access that can only reached by boat. While this
in some ways preserves culture, traditions, ways of life, and keeps
the speed of change low, it also puts communities under pressure
for change and “development”. On the search for education and work
local protectors of the forest see themselves forced to leave their
communities behind, and move to larger cities, temporarily or for
good. Internet access can be a tool to strengthen local ties and
resources and creates access to education.  Together with an
association of organic farmers in a community called Boa Vista do
Acara we have partnered with the local school and the federal
University in close by Belem to create internet access governed by
the community. A signal is delivered by the university over the
river and received through a DIY tower to the association. The
association and the university are now in the implementation of a
way where the internet is distributed to the rest of the community,
and controlled by them.  The project is still in an early
phase, and we are developing different structures of governance.
Besides the benefits the internet can provide, the community will
have the opportunity to improve their production, spread their
traditional knowledge, and create a strong bond between the
exchange of information and material goods. The session will leave
time for an exchange of ideas.