They are more than a simple web or portal. They are new forms of society, of community. The Global CN congress is now the annual meeting of the civic networks, as well as of people interested in their reinforcement, from all over the world. Citizens' networks are the novel forms of civic associations of our digital era. They play an important role in the strengthening of social networks, in any given population's access and tools to use the knowledge and work opportunities of the Information Society, in citizens' participation in local policy making, the creation of better working conditions, and the generation of innovative enterprises.
Civic networks means different things to the different practitioners now spread around the world.
It will gather members of the governmental, business, academic, and community sectors involved in these networking projects. Over the past five years a number of experiments have initiated ways of blending independent local radio and the Internet. We invite members of NGOs, citizens groups, researchers, government officials and the media to submit abstracts for papers, videos, and other forms of presentations to be considered for inclusion in the workshop. With declining cost of satellite usage, improved Internet applications and increased bandwidth, new entrants are breaking into the field, establishing sub-regional and special interest networks of independent and community broadcasters. Over the past year animated debates have been taking place between those who argue that radio will remain the most important media for the poor and new media proponents who argue that the broadcast monologue will be replaced by the Internet dialogue.