EduJAM/2011/Conozco Uruguay Tour

Saturday April 30 - Thursday May 5

DATEs ABOVE FINAL! DETAILS BELOW PRELIMINARY!

Why

The "Conoczo Uruguay Tour" brings South American (and the world's) most passionate edutechnologists and committed teachers/mentors together, to witness Uruguay's and Plan Ceibal's profound journey. In conjunction with Uruguay's stongest volunteers, from CeibalJAM! to RAP Ceibal to Flor Ceibal and beyond. As the single country which has done the most with One Laptop per Child's XO Laptop and Sugar Labs's software (the Sugar Learning Platform) there are few places on earth where humankind's increasing marriage to educational technology is on more vivid display.

Who is Welcome

Tech-savvy education people from around South America. Education-savvy hackers from around the world. While OLPC and Sugar Labs experience is not required -- nor is Spanish fluency -- enthusiasms around bringing exploratory learning into the 21st century are!

We assume participants will also participate in Montevideo's Uruguay Summit 2011 May 5-7, focusing on practical futures for free educational software.

Finally, attendance will in fact be limited to a maximum number of (approximately) 15 independent travelers.

Itinerary

Day trips in and around Montevideo, from Saturday April 30 until Thursday May 5, with full details (a menu of options) which we anticipate to lay out here well before March 31st. Participants must be independent, able to travel lightly and completely self-sufficiently.

Possible destinations: (UNCONFIRMED)
- BAP (Barrio de Atención Prioritaria, poor hood) with RAP in Montevideo (Saturdays Apr 30 preferred)
- Euskal Erria
- Las Piedras
- Maldonado
- Tala (rural)
- Cardal (1st OLPC school)
- Paso de los Toros (small city)
- Salinas (Bernie recommends)

How On Earth Is This Possible?

Volunteers from RAP Ceibal, CeibalJAM! and Flor de Ceibal have spent over 3 years building real-world community networks to bring Uruguay's youth and families more meaningfully into the 21st century. If globalism means anything at all, it means paying full and proper respect to people like these who organize to make a difference.

Housing

Options to be Determined. Wifi access will be sought where possible, but not guaranteed.

Cost

Expect to pay $500 or higher for housing/food/bus etc to cover your 6 days, from Saturday April 30 to Thursday May 5 inclusive. Homestays may reduce this cost if we are so lucky to build strong local relationships.

Pre-Registration

Please write to <a href=mailto:holt@laptop.org>holt@laptop.org</a> explaining what you hope to bring to the group! Thanks for including the reasons you're interested and what you want to get out of this lifetime opportunity. Remember to list ALL allergies and medical conditions, roommate preferences, as well as your phone number(s).

If you are looking for a full-package voluntourism resort, you've come to the wrong place.

You must be an independent traveler, flexible with all comers, understanding Uruguay is a safe country but not without its risks. Take Complete Medical/Insurance/Safety/Financial Precautions.

Potential Participants

Adam Holt
Caryl Bigenho
Ed Bigenho
Nick Doiron
Simon Schampijer
Bernie Innocenti
Pablo Flores
Aaron Borden
Sameer Verma
Harriet Vidyasagar
Christoph Derndorfer
...

Organizers

Leticia Romero?
Rocío Medina?
Micaela Flores?
Pablo Flores?
Adam Holt