Carlos Afonso

Gender Male
Age
Region Latin America
Nationality Brazil / Canada
Residence Brazil
Languages
Nominated by
Endorsed by Latin America & Caribbean Caucus (separate submission)

Endorsing statement

CARLOS AFONSO, Brazilian, is a person with an indisputable development in relation to his work and his personal characteristics. He has participated in the evolution of the new ICTs since their introduction in LAC region without losing his leadership and always promoting and defending the interests of the third sector.  He has a broad knowledge of ICT issues.  His experience is transversal to most of the issues related to ICTs: free software, digital inclusion, intellectual property, internet governance, etc.

Carlos Afonso is part of the RITS team, a NGO-oriented services and capacity-building network on information and communication technologies using the Internet as its main medium.

In the late 60's he was an important person fighting against the dictatorship in Brazil.  He was in exile in Chile, Panama and Canada. This last country adopts him as a canadian citizen.  During the re-democratization process, Carlos worked for democratizing the access to communications. The amnesty allowed Carlos to return to Brazil.  Carlos and  Herbert de Souza (known as Betihno) founded one of the most important  Brazilian NGOs, the the Brazilian Institute for Social and Economic Analysis,  IBASE. Carlos design, implemented and managed the AlterNex project, the first computer-based communications and information system in Latin America dedicated to serve civil society organizations. He is a co-founder of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC).

In 1991-1992, Carlos proposed and coordinated the "UNCED Information Strategy Project in Rio" (UNCED ISP/Rio), first Internet project specifically developed for a UN conference. ISP/Rio's aims were to provide communications and information through the Internet so that organizations which had not been able to come to Rio was able to follow up on the events via the network.  Carlos Afonso is also an independent consultant of the UNDP, IDRC, among other organizations.  He is author of many books, articles and studies in relation to internet development political and social issues, in different languages.  One of his fields of specialization and expertise is Internet Governance and ICANN.  Besides his technical knowledge, Carlos has recognized intellectual and political autonomy and broad respect for his ethical and democratic behaviour.