Microsoft Brazil, in partnership with the NGO ATN Association Telecentro de Informação and Negócios), started a cycle of meetings with non-profit organizations to debate the use of the technology in the Third Sector.
First NGO Connection Day talks about technology for the third sector in São Paulo (Brazil)
Microsoft Brazil, in partnership with the NGO ATN Association Telecentro de Informação and Negócios), started a cycle of meetings with non-profit organizations to debate the use of the technology in the Third Sector. The initiative Digital Connection, (or NGO Connection Days) is part of the global efforts of Community Affairs and has been replicate in many countries.
“We believe that the technology access can help NGOs to generate income. The main objective of our meeting is to think together with the NGOs about models and processes where technology can be used to improve their daily activities”, explained Rodolfo Fucher, Corporate Affairs of Microsoft Brazil.
Participating in the meeting we had the Municipal Secretary of Participation and Partnership of São Paulo, Mr. Ricardo Montoro, and around 90 NGO leaders who deal with health, education, accessibility, social inclusion and environment. During the event a debate of the challenge of fund raising was leaded by the Vice President of the Brazilian Association of Fund Raisers, Rodrigo Alvarez. 
Microsoft employees such as Fernando Lemos (Public Sector IT Specialist), Silvia Valadares (Startups Community Lead) and Pedro Bojikian (Windows live manager) provided some special moments to the event, giving important information of Microsoft technologies. The Software donation process also was explained by TechSoup Brazil.
The Municipal Secretary of Participation and Partnership of São Paulo Ricardo Montoro highlighted that third sector is considered by UN as a productive sector, and the majority of the organization problems is fund raising: “is important that the projects can work to achieve its sustainability in two years”, commented the Secretary.
For Jose Avando Sales, General Director of ATN, “Is important that the NGO managers knows what is available today in terms of new technology and how it can be used to help their organizations to grow”, he detached.
The series of Digital Connection events continues with 3 meeting: 15 of April in Salvador, 06 of May in Belo Horizonte and 27 of May in Manaus. In June 15th a virtual meeting will be provide to those organizations that could not be present in one of these meetings.