On the second day of the TICAL2024 conference, Luis Eliécer Cadenas, Executive Director of RedCLARA, presented the achievements and objectives of the BELLA II project, highlighting its contribution to bridging the digital divide, promoting meaningful connectivity and building a robust and sustainable digital ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Cadenas stressed that BELLA II, beyond its goal of expanding regional connectivity, is redefining the very concept of connectivity by using technological infrastructure to serve the region's socio-economic development. "Meaningful connectivity is not just about cables and networks; it is about creating a digital environment that transforms lives, connects people, and drives innovation," he said.
According to RedCLARA's Executive Director, BELLA II focuses on creating a real and sustainable impact by putting knowledge and innovation, driven by education and research institutions, at the service of communities and productive sectors.
A key aspect of the presentation was the emphasis on regional cooperation as a cornerstone of the project. Cadenas highlighted the collaboration between the "quadruple helix" - governments, academia, business, and civil society - as essential to creating opportunities and maximizing the social impact of technology in the region. "Our true strength lies in our ability to work together to build a digital ecosystem that strengthens science, education, and innovation," he stated.
Cadenas also stressed the importance of maximizing resource use by sharing infrastructure and creating synergies. This approach, he said, is not only efficient but also essential to bridge the digital divide and ensure that technological tools reach all sectors of society.
The presentation on BELLA II, a project implemented by RedCLARA and co-funded by the European Union, was part of a panel dedicated to infrastructure as a pillar of digital transformation. The panel also discussed artificial intelligence, blockchain, and high-performance computing initiatives.
On the second day of TICAL2024, key sessions addressed current global challenges from different perspectives: the impact of climate change, the sustainability of research and education networks in a changing international landscape, and the importance of security in the digital domain. During the day, experts from different countries shared their knowledge, strategies, and experiences.
Dr Cláudio Almeida, from Brazil's National Institute of Space Research (INPE), delivered an opening address that explored the global climate landscape and related challenges, including epidemiological crises. Almeida highlighted the critical role of academic networks in mitigating these impacts by facilitating collaborative research and data sharing among regional institutions.
Moderated by Nelson Simões, Director General, and Cristiane Simões, Institutional Relations Manager, both from RNP Brazil, the panel on sustainability and growth brought together representatives from academic networks: Juan Pablo Carvallo, Executive Director of CEDIA (Ecuador); José Palacios Guzmán, President of REUNA (Chile); and Said Lamk, Executive Director of RENATA (Colombia). The panelists stressed the importance of regional cooperation, resource efficiency, and technological innovation in addressing emerging challenges.
The security session, moderated by Fernando Aranda of CUDI (Mexico), addressed critical issues protecting academic networks from cyber threats. The session opened with remarks from Dan Bond (NOKIA), who presented technology initiatives to improve the security infrastructure. Experts such as Ana Alves (GEÁNT, Portugal), Alejandro del Brocco (ARIU, Argentina), and Julia Mendonça (Brazil) addressed issues ranging from data protection to strategies for securing networks against growing cyber risks.
TICAL2024 showcased the commitment of academic networks to sustainability, security, and digital infrastructure in a rapidly evolving world. Ultimately, the discussions concluded that connectivity and regional collaboration are essential to turning global challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.
