Inclusão digital para a redução de desigualdades sociais: a apropriação e o uso das tecnologias da informação para a atuação cidadã

This work evaluated the development of the “Cidadão.NET” (Citizen.NET) Digital Inclusion Program sponsored by the Government of the Minas Gerais State (Brazil), and its potential to effectively create social and digital inclusion opportunities to its users. Conclusions were based on a quantitative-descriptive field work carried out at five cities equipped with “Cidadão.NET” Telecentres. Results indicate an excellent potential for the promotion of digital inclusion opportunities, which can also lead to users’ social inclusion if the Program is structurally re-configured. Users’ local context and social/financial conditions are to be considered in the improvement of the Program and in the development of teaching and learning activities. Individuals need to be properly prepared to a critical analysis of the digital environment and information. It is also urgent the implementation of an efficient Program management model and the establishment of digital inclusion indicators for the monitoring and continuous evaluation of the “Cidadão.NET” Program.