Delgadillo K. and Borja R. (1999) Learning Lessons from Telecentres in Latin America and the Caribbean, in Gomez R., Hunt P., Lamoureux E. (eds) Telecentre Evaluation and Research: a global perspective, Ottawa: IDRC

Online: http://www.idrc.ca/telecentre/evaluation/nn/16_Lea.html

This document summarizes contributions on the nature and development status of telecentres in Latin America, gathered through an online consultation process that was organized by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and facilitated by ChasquiNet, Ecuador, in July 1999, and that involved telecentre operators and researchers in new information and communication technologies.

The research involved questionnaires and discussion between a network of telecentre operators throughout the region. It found a lack of monitoring and evaluation activity and a lack of networks for information and lesson sharing. Most of the services provided were attached to a communication or training project for specific sectors. The main activity of the telecentres was to train and provide access to the Internet, although a few also provided basic computer skills training.

Overall, the telecentres were found to have been set up and be running in response to immediate user demand such as NGO or business training, or often the telecommunications needs of tourists and others. The paper ends by recommending that a regional forum be set up to communicate and share lessons and experience between telecentre developers and managers.