Project information
| Status | Finalist |
| URL | Go to website |
| Category | Education Training and practice |
| Country | Colombia |
| Operational areas | Urban, Rural |
| Target groups | Children, Youth, Women, Men, Seniors |
| Fixed connection | DSL |
| Wireless connection | WiFi, WiMax, Satellite |
| Access points | Library, Telecenter |
| Interact | Desktop Computer, |
| Software License Types | Open Source, Proprietary |
Project location
Punto Común
- Brief description
- In November 2005, the city of Medellin, Colombia started a program which now has 10 telecenters called "Puntos Comunes" The Puntos Comunes use ICT to train people with limited resources throughout the city learn about technology and how to use it productively. For example, we offer certifications in various computer subjects and we also help develop business plans and ideas brought by the residents of the community, and we are working on offering on-line tutoring for the students in the community and all of this is creating a culture of knowledge throughout the city.
- Vision, Objectives and Goals
- The primary objective of this project is to develop a culture of knowledge that allows the citizens to actively participate in the economic and social development of the city of Medellín. Since November 2005, 450,000 people of various demographics have used the resources of the Puntos Comunes and of those 450,000, 22,500 have made use of the the technology classes offered by the Puntos Comunes. Our ultimate goal is to provide access to different forms of technology and information of the people with limited resources in the city of Medellin and for the Puntos Comunes to be autosufficient.
- How does ICT contribute to the organisational objectives
- Using ICT in the Puntos Comunes have had many special impacts. For example many people with limited resources have taken advantage of the services provided at the Puntos Comunes. In addition, using ICT has created a sense of ownership in the Punto Comun which brings together the community and enhances the technological knowlege of each citizen. The bond that the citizens have with the Punto Comun also has decreased delinquency in the neighborhoods they are established in.
- Transferability
To make the Punto Comun project successful, you need a technical group and a social group constantly in the process working together. For example, the technical group maintains the computers and keeps them up to date with the latest innovations. The social part goes out into the community to keep a visible, tangible presence that people can touch and see. A governmental department should also be involved to help subsidize the project because the low costs that the people pay is simply symbolic so that they have a sense of ownership in the Punto Comun. Although the Punto Comun can be sustained by itself without the help of the government, the fact that the government shows interest in the project motivates the people more to go out to the Puntos Comunes.
- Project summary
The primary objective of the Punto Comun is to keep the community informed about their city and of the world through the use of ICT. Its purpose is to also improve the technical and educational level of all the members of the community, give employment opportunities and to keep the community involved with the city politics by making the communication between the elected officials and the community through on-line government applications. The communities, in which the Puntos Comunes are in, are now more intact with the world through the use of high-speed internet, long distance calling, and technical workshops and with events and conferences related with ICT with guest speakers.



