We are Huaira

3 Programs_Huaira sunset over the canopy Amazonia

Our History

We are internet policy researchers and digital rights advocates.
We focus on freedom of expression, cybersecurity, misuse of biometrics, and information disorders.

We believe that civil society and academic community active role is paramount for a fair and democratic global Internet Governance. We work for access to information, knowledge and participation.

We embrace the power of communications for public good in today’s world. Therefore, we are committed to fight against censorship, propaganda, misinformation, surveillance, and harassment.

Based in Quito (Ecuador), we aim to work throughout the Andean Region.

Our Team

Peter Franco is an expert in cybersecurity with a specialization in information security and digital security, has extensive experience in the civil society, academic and technical-pedagogical community. Pedro has an academic degree in Computer Education; graduated from ISC-Project ToT 2015-2018 and Internews 2017-2018. He is a teacher in the area of ​​free educational software in prestigious educational institutions of Ecuador of middle and higher level. Archival specialist. He has directed important projects of the Ecuadorian state in the implementation of open government platforms, open data and citizen responsibility. Internet Governance and digital rights researcher, has been a member of several institutions, such as the IPO (Internet Policy Observatory) project of the University of Pennsylvania; International speaker on issues of freedom of expression on the Internet, dog rights and cybersecurity. His Twitter handle is @Petruxec

Peter Franco

Peter Franco is an expert in cybersecurity with a specialization in information security and digital security, has extensive experience in the civil society, academic and technical-pedagogical community. Pedro has an academic degree in Computer Education; graduated from ISC-Project ToT 2015-2018 and Internews 2017-2018. He is a teacher in the area of ​​free educational software in prestigious educational institutions of Ecuador of middle and higher level. Archival specialist. He has directed important projects of the Ecuadorian state in the implementation of open government platforms, open data and citizen responsibility. Internet Governance and digital rights researcher, has been a member of several institutions, such as the IPO (Internet Policy Observatory) project of the University of Pennsylvania; International speaker on issues of freedom of expression on the Internet, dog rights and cybersecurity. His Twitter handle is @Petruxec
Gina Brito is an activist of free technologies, since 2007 internationally. Her work has been very active and recognized in promoting digital literacy with free software for ethnic minorities and emerging sectors, especially women. She has promoted free software in indigenous communities of Ecuador and currently leads a digital security project at the regional level such as that of Feminist Hackers. He has developed professional activities in several agencies of the Ecuadorian State and important private entities of the technological area such as the College of Architects of Ecuador and the Municipality of the Metropolitan District of Quito. It currently promotes the teaching and dissemination of digital rights, open government and Internet Governance; alongside Digital Security training for indigenous communities in the Kichwa language. Its user on twitter is @gebbuio

Gina Brito Bárcenes

Gina Brito is an activist of free technologies, since 2007 internationally. Her work has been very active and recognized in promoting digital literacy with free software for ethnic minorities and emerging sectors, especially women. She has promoted free software in indigenous communities of Ecuador and currently leads a digital security project at the regional level such as that of Feminist Hackers. He has developed professional activities in several agencies of the Ecuadorian State and important private entities of the technological area such as the College of Architects of Ecuador and the Municipality of the Metropolitan District of Quito. It currently promotes the teaching and dissemination of digital rights, open government and Internet Governance; alongside Digital Security training for indigenous communities in the Kichwa language. Its user on twitter is @gebbuio
Efrén is a lawyer with an expertise on Human Rights. He holds an LL.M and a PhD in Government and Public Administration from Universidad Complutense of Madrid. His research interests deal with democracy, social conflict and public policy with human rights focus. Currently, he is the vice-dean at the Law School of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. His interests include Internet governance, cryptocurrencies, cyber law, online social movements, cyberdemocracy, and network analysis. He also dubs as a serious photographer whenever he gets a chance. All images in our website were photographed by him from different corners of the Ecuadorian Andes, ranging from the Emerson river to the Pacific, plus the cities of Quito and Guayaquil. In case you were wondering, there are #NoFilters. His Twitter handle is @auraneurotica

Efrén Guerrero

Efrén is a lawyer with an expertise on Human Rights. He holds an LL.M and a PhD in Government and Public Administration from Universidad Complutense of Madrid. His research interests deal with democracy, social conflict and public policy with human rights focus. Currently, he is the vice-dean at the Law School of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. His interests include Internet governance, cryptocurrencies, cyber law, online social movements, cyberdemocracy, and network analysis. He also dubs as a serious photographer whenever he gets a chance. All images in our website were photographed by him from different corners of the Ecuadorian Andes, ranging from the Emerson river to the Pacific, plus the cities of Quito and Guayaquil. In case you were wondering, there are #NoFilters. His Twitter handle is @auraneurotica
Huaira selva o

A message from us

We believe that having access to a free and secure Internet is a crucial element of today’s social fabric. Our team works for the betterment of Internet access in Latin America and elsewhere and the dissemination of digital tools for development, from a human rights perspective.

We are devoted to working with communities, stakeholders and governments in the region enhancing their capacities for undertaking projects and enforcing internet policies that work within an open internet framework and respect human rights. 

Huaira -true to its meaning- seeks for the empowerment of communities through the use of Internet for citizen’s change.