INVITATION


  FIFTH PERMANENT FORUM ON LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN NETWORKS

                             Lima, Peru
                             April 1996



The participating institutions in the construction of the Latin=20
American and Caribbean (LAC) Internet have developed with great=20
effort the basis of a networking infrastructure and culture in this=20
region. Much of this effort has been supported to a large degree by=20
certain individuals and international organizations.

Four years after our first meeting in Rio de Janeiro, sponsored by=20
the RedHUCyT project of the Organization of American States (OAS) and=20
by different national organizations, most of the non-profit, national=20
and academic networks have matured considerably.

Meanwhile, the Internet is rapidly changing and has become a hot=20
topic.  Many national telephone carriers (PTTs) are now involved in=20
this new market.

It is in this context that we, as a region, believe that it is=20
necessary to seize the opportunities and face the problems that will=20
become present in the following years.  It is urgent, as said by the=20
Uruguayan Ida Holz, to "be one step ahead of the great changes".

Taking these ideas into account the Red Cientifica Peruana (RCP),=20
along with all of the non-profit, national and academic networks,=20
cordially invites you to participate in the FIFTH PERMANENT FORUM OF=20
LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN NETWORKS that will take place during=20
April 14-19, 1996 in Lima, Peru.

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