CDI - Committee for Democracy in Information Technology is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1995 by Rodrigo Baggio with the mission of promoting the social inclusion of low income communities by using Information and Communication Technologies as tools for building and exercising citizens rights. Its works with less privileged groups and with institutions assisting individuals with special needs including, among others, the physically and mentally disabled, the visually impaired, homeless children, prisoners, and indigenous populations. CDI believes that learning new technologies not only creates job opportunities but also expands access to knowledge and encourages social interchange. Their initiative contributes to changing the lives of individuals and has a profound impact in community development.
CDI developed a socio-educational approach to teaching information technology. Students learn how to use computers and software while discussing issues of particular interest to their community, such as human rights, environment, sexual education, health and non-violence.
Their 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.
CDI has being expanding nationally and internationally with 30 Regional offices in Brazil along with 716 schools and eight other countries with 175 schools in three continents. CDI Headquarters has developed a completely non-profit “social franchise” defining quality standard. It has an important role developing the Network in which it updates CDI’s educational model, validates and shares best practices and continuously fundraises, trains and follows-up periodically Regional offices. CDI Regional offices are self-managed, reporting to CDI Headquarters guidelines. Their mission is to replicate CDI’s methodology and educational model when implementing the schools.
Contact Information:
Address: Rua Alice 150, Laranjeiras
Rio de Janeiro, RJ - 22.241-020, Brazil
- Brazil
Phone: +55 +21 3235.9450
E-mail: cdi@cdi.org.br
Website: http://www.cdi.org.br/portalcdi/indexeng.htm