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Rafael Ibarra is not only the president for Salvadorean Advanced Network of Research, Science and Education, RAICES, he is a member of the group of dreamers who gave birth to RedCLARA almost a decade ago. 10 years down the road, Ibarra reflects on the batles won and those that are still unconcluded.

¿Since the foundation of RedCLARA, which are the most significant points of its evolution?

RedCLARA has matured a lot as an organisation. It's like when you get married, you start with a great illussion and then go to a much more real situation. What we hoped when we created RedCLARA is still there: a united Latin America, conected and collaborating through information technologies. This dream was fullfilled with the signing of  the agreement in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. It marked the definitive moment for RedCLARA to be borned. Nowadays is more mature entity, a solid institution; there are still a lot of room for growth, but we've had a very positive evolution. Today we're facing the finishing of the ALICE project and we might want to go on with our goals using different ways.

In that range from illusion to reality, what are the three main achievements of RedCLARA?

First, to establish the friendly  network of institutions and people developing empathy with each other, that bonds unite everyone who's part of RedCLARA, sharing effort, joy, documents and the operational side.

Second, the physical network, the improvements in infrastructure. How it all evolved from bandwidth to dark fibers and other technologies that aim sustainability and permanence of what we're building.  And finally third, the solid reputation RedCLARA has build not only regionally but globally. We've got as Latin America's network devoted to science, technology and research, an institution's group seeking  development for their own countries.

What are the three main realities challenging RedCLARA?

The first one is the need for human and financial resources. That goes back between illusion and reality. It's very easy to get carried away and think everyone in the world is willing to give their time and effort for free. You get to understand reality is not like that.

The second, the region's development situation. We're clearly ahead of the times our countries live in science, technology, research, patents, etc. We're pushing the envelope and setting regional leadership.

Third, the countries' goverment position on science and technology. It ain't clearly an economic factor, so the gamble on it is very poor or non-existent. The inmediate difficulties besetting the countries leaders get the major investments and attention. The more strategic subjects are left aside.

The given reality affects countries in different ways, what keeps you motivated?

First, commitment. Several of us take this very seriously and though there are moments when you feel like giving up, we keep it up encouraging that very first commitment made, which still stands firmly, eventhough results are not as big as we'd like to. On the other hand, it's logic to think that in such a complex project, having so many people, with different ways of thinking and countries, things can't be done overnight. It's only hammering  and persevering that you can make something happen. The hope that some day, our countries can take advantage on the written promise of science an innovation encourage us. We don't know if we'll still be around when this happens.

One of the most important changes in RedCLARA's life it's to develop an image from an physical infrastructure to a scientific collaboration network. What kind of envolvement have scientists and researchers  had in the different countries?

That has been one of the major milestones. To be perceived not only as a phisycal network but as a network that allows the existence of scientific and research communities in Latin America. It's not been easy, because originally the approach was trying to connect to the networks. But that assumption was made from the fact that those networks would grow by themselves, under their own momentum, and that hasn't happened in many countries, because there hasn't been a significant change in the way people thinks. Visualize ourselves as the meeting point of scientist and researschers will be more fruitful than the former idea. It's easier to transmit the approach of a colaboration network than simply a set of highspeed networks and bandwith.

What kind of work are you doing for the countries that still are not connected do not stay isolated?

We've made some specific efforts to reach out and keep the flame burning in countries that still are not connected.In some cases, the local researchers and universities networks aren't formed, mainly because of  the lack of financial resources. Those countries connected are possible thanks to the ALICE project. Eventhough, the major component to stablish the connection is yet absent: national commitment. By RedCLARA we haven't give up hope that there countries will get connected. We're working to include them.

What do countries miss for being outside RedCLARA?

They miss the chance of walking together through the same path, those matters are not easy or a priority in many nation's agenda. We're all onboard the same ship and we support each other. That solidarity and fraternity we live inside RedCLARA is what they miss.

What has El Salvador won by being connected to RedCLARA?

In first place, it's won a larger internal knowledge of RAICES' member, and a succesful approach of all those conforming institutions in the country. In second place, the chance to get to know what are other countries doing, universities and regional research entities, where alike realities are lived. That's how you learn from examples and experiencies.

Finally, you can develop joint work. For instance, we're working on voice over IP. The plan it's to create a central federated server where all these services can be concentrated. That's only one of several projects.

What are RedCLARA's perspectives for the future?

We're  going through tough times. The project ALICE2 is reaching its final stages and we are making every effort to keep financial resources coming besides all those we get by ourselves. We've got a B Plan to keep the project going, perhaps slow down the execution in some areas, but we wouldn't like to face a shutdown. Yes, there are major concerns because science and technology  are not yet a priority in many goverments plans. That takes the government's and entities resources to different projects different from science and technology development.