Rodrigo Baggio: Committee for the Democratization of Information Technology (CDI) on CNN Principal Voices

Rodrigo Baggio, founder of Committee for the Democratization of Information Technology (CDI), is AMAZING!

Rodrigo is an inspirational example of how one person can make a big difference in the lives of many. His success with CDI demonstrates the importance of dreaming big, and is a testament to the power of following one's passion.

Founded in 1995, CDI is an international non-profit dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing computer training to youth who live in favelas and low-income communities.

Interestingly, CDI recognizes that access to computers and the Internet alone is not sufficient. So, in 965 CDI schools operating in 19 Brazilian states and eight other countries, students are taught how to use information technology to enhance their abilities to think critically and creatively, to analyze political and social reality, and to generate jobs and business opportunities.

According to Principal Voices, recent studies show how difficult digital inclusion will be. In Brazil alone, fewer than 16% of households own computers and a mere 12.2% of them have access to the Internet. The vast majority of computer technology is concentrated in just three regions (the federal capital, the south, and southeast) according to a 2004 study of 183 nations by the International Telecommunications Union.

Brazil placed a lowly 65th in Internet connectivity, trailing Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Costa Rica and Mexico. The high cost of personal computers, poor computer training in the classroom and inconsistent public policies are the main reasons why middle and lower income Brazilians are still outsiders in the modern information society.

CDI targets this under-served demographic group.

Results?

1. CDI has trained almost one million at-risk children in computer and internet skills.

2. CDI has established an initial network comprised of more than 200 self-managed computer schools in the urban slums of 17 Brazilian states.

3. CDI programs have expanded to other countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay, and Argentina.

4. Each year, CDI trains approximately 28,000 new students.

Rodrigo's organization is helping students who might otherwise have turned to drug trafficking or violence. CDI provides the tools youth need to develop job skills, as well as self-respect and self-reliance.

I love this story about CDI. It is a wonderful example of using technology to educate and empower youth. Equally important, CDI is a powerful example for each of us to dream big, believe in our dreams, and take the first step to making our dreams a reality. Because like CDI, mostly all successful organizations start from humble beginnings; they grow one step at a time only under the care of a passionate, committed leader like Rodrigo Baggio.

:-)