The Holy See connects to Research and Education Networks through GARR and GÉANT2
Press Release
Thanks to the recent 100 Mbps direct connection to the GARR network, the Holy See is now linked to the pan-European GÉANT2 network, making available a vast and diverse array of resources to students and researchers worldwide
13 June 2005 - Thanks to the recent 100 Mbps direct connection to the GARR network, the Holy See has become an integral part of the worldwide system of Research and Education Networks. The Italian GARR network is connected to the pan-European high-speed internet backbone, GÉANT2, which seamlessly connects R&E networks across the continent and provides links to non-EU countries through the implementation of several international interconnection projects.
This connection will provide an important link between the worlds of science and knowledge and the wider Church, not only in Europe, but in Latin America, South Africa, the Asia Pacific region and the Middle East. On one hand, it is likely to promote openness and accessibility to the Priesthood, Holy Orders and the Church hierarchy and to foster inter-faith dialogue between different world regions and cultures; on the other hand, it will make an important contribution to the spread of cultural and theological knowledge globally.
Through this direct link, the entire Church heritage of spiritual, historical, artistic and cultural resources will be readily available for students, teachers and researchers across Europe and worldwide. The Vatican Libraries, Universities and other documentation facilities will be made easily accessible to the research and education community, in both clerical and secular institutions. The link will provide an important enhancement of the already prominent role of the Vatican in cultural and world affairs.
Moreover, the combination of high bandwidth and reliability provided by the GARR and GÉANT2 networks, together with the specific expertise of the Holy See Internet Office will make it possible to deliver, via video streaming, a number of live events of interest to a world-wide audience. It will also allow the use of techniques such as distance-learning and video-conferencing to enhance and expand the Church's teaching and communication infrastructure.
As a new member of the wide community of the National R&E networking, the Holy See Internet office will as well take part to the upcoming GÉANT2 launch event in Luxembourg, June 14-15. During the event, several GÉANT2-connected NRENs from across the world will demonstrate the network's geographic reach showing the "A Day in the Life of GÉANT2", with live webcam streaming from selected locations, including the Vatican.
About:
GARR is a Consortium established by CRUI, CNR, ENEA and INFN with MIUR'S patronage, which aims to implement, manage and widen a national telematic high-speed network for Education, University and scientific Research, connected with other European and Worldwide R&D Networks. The GARR Network purpose is to supply researchers with location-independent services, backing coordination and collaboration in national and international research activities and diffusion and experimentation of advanced technologies and new services. More information about GARR Consortium and its activities and on the GARR Network is available on the web site: http://www.garr.it
GÉANT2 is the high-speed pan-European backbone providing internet connectivity to the European R&E Community through its direct connection to National and Regional Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in 34 Countries and offering high-speed international connectivity towards other world regions, enabling global research collaboration. GÉANT2’s advanced and innovative services provide enhanced usability, flexibility and transparency. GÉANT2’s comprehensive programme of research and service development keeps Europe at the forefront of global research.
GÉANT2 is co-funded by the European Commission and is managed by DANTE (acronym for "Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe"), a not-for-profit organisation established by European NRENs. Further information about DANTE and GÉANT2 can be found at the URL:
Further information about the GÉANT2 Launch event is available at the URL: http://www.geant2.net/launch
The Internet Office of the Holy See provides the Catholic Church with advanced services, aimed at fostering and promoting the collaboration in an international context, with a special emphasis on new communication technologies; it manages both internal and external internet activities of the Vatican, offering a number of Operational Services to Organizations connected to the Vatican Network and operating under the .va domain, such as Network Operation Center, Local IP Registry and Domain Name Server; it manages the access circuits for the libraries of the Roman Pontifical Universities.
The Vatican website can be found at:
http://www.vatican.va
For further information please contact
GARR
Gabriella Paolini (email: gabriella.paolini@garr.it - tel: +39 06.4336.1433 - fax: 06.4336.1444) or Federica Tanlongo (email: federica.tanlongo@garr.it t- el: +39 06.4336.1460 - fax: 06.4336.1444
GÉANT2 and DANTE
Simon Watts (email: press@dante.org.uk - Tel: +44 1223 371 300 - Fax: +44 1223 371 371)
Internet Office of the Holy See
Cortile del Triangolo
00120 Vatican City
Vatican City State
Phone: +39 (06) 69893496
Fax: +39 (06) 69882067
