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Brazil has long been at the forefront of developing cultural strategies that support digital inclusion. Between 2003 and 2008, the Lula government sponsored a program intended to democratise both access to and the production of culture through free software and open knowledge. The ‘Pontos de Cultura’ project, which funded media centres based in community spaces across the country including in favelas and socially deprived neighbourhoods, became a model for approaches to free software among policy makers in Europe and North America. The communities that sprang up around these centres became seedbeds for a broad range of organisations supporting creative approaches to digital literacies. During his term of office, 2019-2022, Jair Bolsonaro carried out a systematic attack on these organisations, withdrawing crucial funds and devaluing their work.

This talk will outline a series of ongoing projects that aim to support these organisations in their development of digital literacies that reduce social inequalities in Brazil. This includes: a report on the activities of non-profits running digital inclusion initiatives in Brazil since the 2000s – what they have learnt, what their major challenges are; the creation of a digital archive of open educational resources to be used in constructing new community digital inclusion initiatives and policies; and the development of ‘Futurecall,’ a video game that uses a science fiction plot to encourage critical thinking about the spread of disinformation through social media. 

TBC

About the Speaker

Edward King is an Associate Professor in the School of Modern Languages, Unievrsity of Bristol. His research explores digital cultures in Latin America and beyond, with a particular interest in the use of speculative aesthetics to frame the politics of emerging technologies. His latest book is Twins and Recursion in Digital, Literary and Visual Cultures (Bloomsbury 2022).

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 9th of December 2022 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.