HablaCentro.com is a local mobile-driven network of regional citizen information websites in Latin America where contributions can be anonymous. Contributors, especially young people, from each country share and discuss information in various languages, including local indigenous languages. People use whatever means is available to them – computers, email and cellphones – to contribute and access the websites. A team of mostly volunteers share information and tools to participate and own the websites within each country.
Technology in the shape of cellphones that are cheap, accessible and ubiquitous is transforming Latin America – home to 12 percent of the world’s almost 4 billion mobile subscribers in 2009. Cellphones and the Internet create opportunities for governance, economic advantage, transmission of culture and skills. HablaCentro acts as both a “regional pulse meter” and a place for democratic, civic activities based on the sharing of information that is useful, relevant, has impact, geographic significance, timeliness and veracity.
