24th of April 2025, 16.00-17.00 CEST
The BELLA Programme is an EU-funded initiative that aims to meet the long-term interconnectivity needs of the research and education communities in Europe and Latin America. The first phase was dedicated to building a submarine cable – the ELLALink – to connect Europe and Latin America, from Portugal to Brazil. Co-funded by DG-CONNECT and DG-DEFIS, this connection aimed to benefit, among others, the Copernicus programme. In its second phase, the BELLA Programme focused on the terrestrial infrastructural needs in Latin America, connecting the ELLALink to the different national networks in South and Central America.
Now in its “third” phase, “BELLA II” aims to strengthen and expand the digital ecosystem of Latin America and the Caribbean, enabling relations and exchanges between companies, research centers, educational institutions and national research and education networks, which are aligned with the strategic objectives in education, science, technology and innovation from LAC and Europe.
Implemented by RedCLARA, with continued funding from the EU through DG INTPA, Bella II focuses on designing, building and operating the digital infrastructure needed to guarantee connectivity with the rest of BELLA’s infrastructure. In addition to the infrastructural aspects, the “BELLA II” phase has a strong focus on increasing the adoption and use of digital transformation technologies to develop digital research and education solutions, and foster innovation in the public and private sectors, including through cooperation with European digital ecosystems.
Join our host Geoff Sawyer (EARSC Strategic Advisor and former Secretary General) and Mark Urban (Director of International Cooperation, Academic Relations and Communication, RedCLARA) as they explore the role of RedCLARA, BELLA II and the opportunities for collaboration between the Latin American and Caribbean digital ecosystems and the European EO private sector. Some questions that could be addressed during this EOcafe include:
- What is RedCLARA, what are its main activities, and who are its members?
- How does RedCLARA fit into the Latin American EO landscape (GEO, AmeriGEO, Copernicus) and what are its links to other networks (e.g. GéANT, ASREN, etc.)?
- What is the BELLA II project? How is this relevant for the European EO private sector? Where does this fit in the value chain and other digital transformation initiatives?
- What opportunities for collaboration are there between Latin America and European EO companies in the framework of RedCLARA’s activities?
Registration: The webinar is open to all. Registration is free but compulsory.
Please note this is a virtual event!
EOcafe is part of a series of EARSC meetings that offer timely, relevant, and practical information on a broad variety of topics related to the EO sector. Join us every two weeks to discuss and network while enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.
IMPORTANT NOTES!!!
- The use of a video camera is not mandatory but is encouraged to facilitate better interaction between the attendees and the guest speaker(s).
- The EOcafe will stay open after 17:00 in case our guests want to continue the discussion.
- By registering for this event, you accept the terms and conditions (https://earsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EARSC_Events_GDPR.pdf).
If you have any questions, and/or you want to know more about the EOcafe, and/or you want to share an idea about a future EOcafe, please contact Tanya Walker (tanya.walker@earsc.org).
