How Nexus Mundi works
Nexus Mundi brings together local, faith-based organizations already involved in development projects and international corporations that can provide equipment, resources and know-how to help alleviate poverty by bridging the digital divide and enabling the underprivileged to become active participants in the global information society.
As a first step in this new initiative, Nexus Mundi has selected Zambia for a pilot project of ‘Community Multimedia Centers’ (CMC). Nexus Mundi will test and develop the CMC concept in Zambia, followed by Congo and Kenya, Latin America and South Asia.
The new facilities will provide opportunities for underserved communities to access a network of communications and information, educational materials and information and communication technology (ICT) training. Local communities will be directly involved in the operation and choice of content for each facility and will benefit from the ICT revolution by accessing information that is of specific relevance to their daily lives and overall development process. The long term vision calls for the emergence of locally designed and managed facilities.
Nexus Mundi’s CMCs will take advantage of an innovative communications infrastructure using VSAT and wireless connectivity. By integrating these two low-cost electronic media with existing local FM radio, and renewable energy use, the project has a unique ‘convergence’ focus, which substantially improves the reach and cost-effectiveness of the investment.
Nexus Mundi plans a telecommunications infrastructure including medium-to-high satellite bandwidth, an extensive network of community radio stations and highly experienced field personnel which gives a starting point that otherwise would take years and huge investments to create.
