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Photo courtesy of derechosdigitales.org

As part of the 4th CELAC–EU Summit, held in Santa Marta, Colombia, the 2025 ALC–EU Civil Society Forum took place—an event that brought together organizations from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union to develop proposals and strengthen bi-regional cooperation.

The session on Digital Transition began with an opening panel in which Luis Elicer Cadenas, Executive Director of RedCLARA, participated as a panelist alongside Olga Paz (Colnodo, Colombia) and Marina Meira (Derechos Digitales, Brazil), with moderation by Fernanda Martins (Fundación Multitudes, Brazil). The panel addressed key issues related to the digital transition, including rights, technology governance, and standards for a fair, people-centered digitalization.

Subsequently, working groups were held where participants discussed access and connectivity, online rights and safety, and digital inclusion and literacy. RedCLARA participated specifically in the digital literacy and inclusion group, addressing topics related to childhood, youth, gender, Indigenous peoples, and disability, while sharing recommendations to guide policies and investments. The session highlighted how to overcome digital inequalities and the importance of ensuring that technological investments benefit the entire population and strengthen regional cooperation.

RedCLARA plays a key role in the digital transition of Latin America and the Caribbean as the only organization with a regional platform that connects and coordinates National Research and Education Networks, enabling scientific, academic, and innovation collaboration within the region and with the rest of the world.

According to Cadenas, “RedCLARA and the national networks help ensure that more people have access to quality internet, promote digital literacy, and support the creation of clear rules for the use of technology, ensuring that digital investments benefit the entire population and strengthen cooperation and the development of knowledge in the region.”

The forum was co-organized by the Government of Colombia and the European Union with support from the Policy Forum for Development (PFD). RedCLARA’s participation reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the digital ecosystem and fostering collaboration between Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe on key issues for technological inclusion and innovation.