Representatives of the National Education and Research Network (RNP) were present at the event organized by the Latin American Cooperation of Advanced Networks (RedCLARA) in November called “Dialogue on the Challenges and Opportunities of Digital Transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean”. The event was held for guests only between 11/14 and 18, in Montevideo, Uruguay.

According to RedCLARA, deans of Latin American universities, authorities of the European Commission and representatives of government agencies in the region, regional funding bodies for science and education, and other representative bodies were also invited to participate, either in person or virtually.

Brazil presented its initiatives in Digital Health, such as the results of the Telemedicine University Network (Rute) in Latin America; in 5G, such as the Connection to Schools project and its operations in the Amazon; in data privacy and cybersecurity, such as the new Security Operations Center (SOC) in Brasilia.

The event marked the end of the Building Europe Link to Latin America project (BELLA), which built the first direct connection between South America and Europe, both from the Ellalink submarine cable stages and terrestrial infrastructure, and the start of BELLA2, which will extend the benefits of this connectivity throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

RNP's general director, Nelson Simões, highlighted the importance of the BELLA project, to increase international cooperation with the European Commission and regional integration between South American countries in education and research. “The teaching and research networks are essential instruments to turn public policies into concrete results”, declared Nelson Simões.

About the BELLA project

The BELLA Program addresses the long-term interconnectivity needs of the European and Latin American research and education communities, achieved through two projects: BELLA-S, which secures spectrum rights on the EllaLink submarine cable and guarantees “future-proof” connectivity requirements; and BELLA-T, which envisions the completion of fiber connectivity for Latin America's advanced networks - bringing much-needed high-speed connectivity and equal access to research and education communities across the continent.

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Source: RedCLARA, with information from RNP.