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Internet & ICTs for Social Justice and Development News

Free media, free society

MANILA, Philippines, 12/04/2007 -- In the Philippines, where in the past twenty years there have been two popular uprisings, numerous coup attempts, and scores of violent political encounters, the Manila Peninsula incident of 29 November 2007 is the first and only one where the working press has been treated as suspects and lumped together with suspected wrongdoers for merely doing their job as media persons. - Foundation for Media Alternatives More >>

APC at the second Internet Governance Forum

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, 11/09/2007 -- The second Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 12-15 November. Many member groups of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) have tried-and-tested solutions to tackle what APC sees as the most important challenge and prime topic at the IGF: internet for development. APC will be present at different panel sessions (including the opening ceremony) and workshops. Follow our coverage on APC.org - APCNews More >>

Paraguay accused of attacking net neutrality

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 10/15/2007 -- �An attack on net neutrality and an act of censorship,� was how Miguel Acosta, editor of a New York-based Paraguayan newspaper referred to the measure taken by the Paraguayan Communication Company to block access to internet telephony or voice over internet protocol (VoIP). Civil society has responded forcefully to this situation.
- APC Latin America and Caribbean ICT Policy Monitor More >>

Announcements from APC

APC policy programme�s manager invited to high level UN group of experts

NEW YORK, United States, 02/27/2008 -- The United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID) has invited APC policy programme�s manager, Willie Currie, to participate in an ad-hoc group of experts on financing ICT for development (ICT4D). This group has been set up in preparation of the upcoming GAID Global Forum on Access and Connectivity in least developed countries and small island developing states in Asia-Pacific and innovative financing mechanisms for ICT4D, Malaysia, 18-20 May 2008 [link to UN GAID page]. - More >>

The APC goes video

, 02/18/2008 -- Watch the compact and straight-forward, fully subtitled video presenting the Association for Progressive Communications and some of the work of its members. This thirteen-minute film takes you from the beginnings to the current form in which APC pursued the goal of sustainable development and social justice through and with the use of information and communication technologies. - APC More >>

New APC executive board

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 01/24/2008 -- APC is pleased to announce the new APC executive board elected by members at the APC council meeting in Rio de Janeiro in November 2007 for a three-year term. - APCNews More >>

Statement from participants in the �Civil Society Workshop on Open Access to ICT infrastructure in Africa�

KIGALI, Rwanda, 10/29/2007 -- A statement by African civil society groups was made in light of the publicised commitments and goals of the Connect Africa Summit taking place in Rwanda, Kigali on 29th and 30th of October 2007. The statement acknowledges that the private sector plays a key role in the deployment of infrastructure in Africa. Its continued investment should be encouraged through the implementation of a stable policy environment that encourages investment as well as protect the public interest. Read the full statement here. - African civil society groups More >>

APC announces civil society workshop for Connect Africa Summit in Kigali

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 10/11/2007 -- The Association for Progressive Communications (APC), in collaboration with its partners, will be convening a civil society workshop on Sunday 28 October 2007 in Kigali, Rwanda, to accompany the Connect Africa Summit, taking place 29-30 October 2007. - APC Policy Programme More >>

Event on equitable access

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 10/08/2007 -- APC announces a one-day event on equitable access to ICT infrastructure on 10 November 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Why this event? Access brings people together to exchange information, promotes new spaces for social inclusion and is fundamental to development processes in any society. However many of these innovative solutions are happening in isolation and APC�s event is a place where stakeholders working in the area of equitable can come together to share knowledge and experience and to discuss the issues. - APCNews More >>

APC�s latest Annual Report: 2006 � Open Access for All

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 08/13/2007 -- Training communities to set up wireless internet access points using empty tin cans, �taking back the tech!� to combat violence against women and keeping the focus of the world's governments on the importance of affordable internet access. Read our new annual report for 2006.
- APCNews More >>

Building Information Communities

Digital divide, social divide, paradigmatic divide

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, 10/29/2007 -- "The digital divide is nothing other than the reflection of the social divide in the digital world," reveals the latest issue paper by APC's member in the Dominican Republic, FUNREDES. As long as decision makers in the field of public policies or of ICT4D projects are not ready to consider these issues, and keep on favoring a mere technological vision, we will suffer from the most dangerous divide in terms of impact: the paradigmatic divide. - FUNREDES More >>

Two radio stations experiment with a brand new multimedia resource kit

FOTOUNI, Cameroon, 08/22/2007 -- Nearly 70% of households in Cameroon have a radio set. APC-Cameroon member PROTEGE QV intends to place information at the disposal of the urban and rural women, particularly by means of radio broadcasting programmes. With their latest project oriented towards small businesses run by women, representatives of PROTEGE QV carried out a field trip earlier this year to rural localities in western Cameroon to hand-over material to two radio stations and promote their Multimedia Resource Kit. - PROTEGE QV More >>

DRC: Alternatives reveals the first independent study on an internet infrastructure that can serve the entire country

MONTREAL, Canada, 08/21/2007 -- The NGO Alternatives revealed the first independent feasibility study on the implementation of a vast high-speed internet infrastructure the size of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Carried out by Congolese and international researchers, the study proposes, in particular, that the implementation of the internet network be carried out in partnership with the Congolese National Electricity Company (SNEL). - Alternatives More >>

Campaigns

Bloggers intimidated as wave of environmental protests hits Bulgaria

SOFIA, Bulgaria, 08/01/2007 -- The Bulgarian police has called in bloggers and pressured them to stop writing about the recent wave of environmental protests that has swept across the country in the recent weeks. While the issue is hot in Bulgaria and broadly covered by the Bulgarian press, APC's member in Bulgaria (BlueLink) believes this deserves to go global. - APC blog More >>

Democracy & ICTs

Statement of GK3 participants: Open letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 12/12/2007 -- Malaysia as host to the Global Knowledge 3 Forum has pledged its commitment to knowledge sharing, an open exchange of information and to building a just and fair society. These goals can, however, only be achieved in a society that respects fundamental rights. Since the beginning of November, the freedoms of assembly and expression have come under increased attack in Malaysia. - GK3 Participants More >>

APC makes recommendations to UN internet governance forum

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 11/27/2007 -- The second internet governance forum took place this month. It was the second meeting of five convened by the United Nations over five years to discuss the future of the world�s most critical communications resource. APC presents an initial assessment and makes suggestions for moving towards the third forum in India in December 2008.

Recommendations include the establishment of a self-regulatory mechanism to ensure participation, access to information and transparency in internet governance, convening regional and national IGFs, working groups to address complex issues, more resources for the IGF secretariat, strengthening the capacity and legitimacy of the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group, making better use of plenary time and passing of lessons learned by former IGF hosts Brazil and Greece to New Delhi.
- APC More >>

Pulling the plug in Burma

TORONTO, Canada, 10/24/2007 -- Adding to their long history of reports on the study of internet filtering, the OpenNet Initiative (ONI) has compiled, and released, a bulletin on the recent demonstrations in Burma and the Burmese government's shutdown of the internet there. The executive summary of "Pulling the Plug: A Technical Review of the Internet Shutdown in Burma" reveals the "the role of information technology, citizen journalists, and bloggers in Burma" today. - OpenNet Initiative More >>

Participatory web for development: Circling the point in a spiral formation

Rome, Italy, 10/11/2007 -- Anriette Esterhuysen, executive director of APC, delivered a keynote address at the opening of the conference on Web2fordev at the Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome, Italy in late September. Her ideas around participatory web for development were reported on in the Web2fordev blog. - Web2fordev More >>

Central and East European online environmentalism targeted

BUDAPEST, Hungary, 09/13/2007 -- Fidanka and Eoin McGrath, a family soon expecting their first child, spent two of the hottest August days in a quite unusual way � having a friendly talk with police officials. The family life was disturbed abruptly this summer, when the two were called in by the local unit of the Bulgarian secret service. - APCNews More >>

APC launches new book on WSIS, developing countries and civil society: Time for lessons learned

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 09/12/2007 -- The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) has been roundly criticised in the past and this new study from APC concludes that the summit �is not the best starting point for new action.� So, what is the point of looking at how developing country delegations and civil society fared at the summit? Because, says the author �it is always important to learn from experience � particularly where it did not deliver up to expectations.� - APCNews More >>

Agreement between the Chilean government and the Microsoft Corporation: the Chilean digital strategy is in rough waters

SANTIAGO, Chile, 08/16/2007 -- Emails, text messages and the media spread the word: the Chilean government has signed one of the broadest known-agreements to date with the Microsoft Corporation, covering aspects of education, management of personal data, and support for local governments (municipalities) and the micro enterprise sector. - APCNews More >>

Democratising Communication

New book on disaster communication richly illustrated

NEW DELHI, India, 02/19/2008 -- All of us are aware of the biggest maritime disaster the world has known: the sinking of the �unsinkable� HMS Titanic. But what many of us may not be aware of is that the wireless operators on the Titanic had, in fact, received alerts from other ships about massive icebergs in the vicinity. But the operators, overworked with transmitting private messages of the ship�s wealthy passengers, failed to pass that vital information onto the bridge. - APCNews More >>

Media and Internet

It is not just a question of bread vs. radios: Community radio in India

Goa, India, 10/09/2007 -- Other voices: The struggle for community radio in India, by two University of Hyderabad scholars, has just been published by Sage. BytesForAll's Frederick Noronha interviews the authors of the book: Vinod Pavarala, Professor of Communication and Dean of the Sarojini Naidu School of Communication, University of Hyderabad, and Dr Kanchan K Malik, a lecturer at the university. - Frederick [FN] Noronha More >>

Development Resources

Every laptop assigned a child

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 10/16/2007 -- Journalist Miguel Peirano finds that "Many people think that a laptop for every child is a magic solution and that just giving the children a machine will make them happy," in his well-documented opinion piece about the CEIBAL Plan. This Uruguyan adaptation of the One Laptop Per Child project turns this South American nation into the only country in the world that has adopted, as government policy, the proposal to endow every schoolchild with a low-cost laptop connected to the internet. - APCNews More >>

Democracy & ICTs

Participatory web for development: Circling the point in a spiral formation

Fair E-commerce

Bangladesh: Government urged not to ink any deal with IMF

DHAKA, Bangladesh, 09/18/2007 -- Speakers at a discussion in Dhaka on September 17 asked Bangadesh's government not to sign any agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to protect the country's interests. APC-member VOICE demanded transparency and accountability on the part of the government.
- The Daily Star More >>

Free Software

Software: free West Africa?

OUAGADOUGOU' Burkina Faso, 02/28/2008 -- The use of free software in West Africa would represent an opportunity to reduce the digital divide with the South. In this region, the low level of free software production goes hand in hand with marginal usage. Free software is present in certain businesses, in education, etc. but there is mistrust, as a result of the fact that free software is developed rapidly and is proliferating. It causes fear because there is a belief that �whatever is free is not of good quality�. IDLELO3, a panafrican conference on free software, will look at these questions and beliefs from March 16 to 20 2008 in Dakar, Senegal. - APCNews More >>

Cambodian education system switches to Khmer language free software

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, 02/19/2008 -- At a ceremony that took place last January, the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport presented a new information and communication technology (ICT) textbook that are to be used in all schools, universities and teacher training facilities in that country. The new textbook teaches the use of Khmer language free and open source applications, such as OpenOffice, Mekhala (Firefox) and Moyura (Thunderbird), which have been fully translated to Khmer language. - Open Institute More >>

Cambodia: KhmerOS selected as one of the two best projects using ICT to improve economic development

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, 01/23/2008 -- Cambodia becomes the first country to only use free software applications throughout the education system. Thanks to the KhmerOS/Open Schools Program initiative - a Cambodian collaborative project - that was selected as a finalist for the Stockholm Challenge/GKP Award. It was nominated as one of two projects that best use information and communication technology (ICT) to produce economic development. - Open Institute More >>

Free and open source video software study released

MELBOURNE, Australia, 12/05/2007 -- EngageMedia has just released of a new report into free and open source software video codecs. It is a review of available tools for the creation, playback and embedding of online video using FOSS codecs, and a look at the most pressing areas for development to enhance their adoption by social change video projects on the web. - EngageMedia More >>

Winners of the APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize 2007 announced

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 10/17/2007 -- The first APC FOSS Prize established in 2006 to honour Chris Nicol, a long time FOSS advocate and activist who for many years, worked with APC, has been jointly awarded to Free Geek (USA) and NepaLinux (Nepal). - APCNews More >>

In Himalayan Nepal: Where language can propel FOSS

GOA, India, 10/16/2007 -- NepaLinux, an initiative to create a localised GNU/Linux distribution in the Nepali language, has been chosen as a joint-winner of the first APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize, by an international jury. APC-member BytesForAll co-founder and journalist Frederick �FN� Noronha interviews NepaLinux's Bal Krishna Bal, who explains the project's relevance to FOSS local language computing solutions in Nepal, the challenges their project faced, why he carries on confidently, and his vision of the future. - APCNews More >>

Free Geek has been keeping the needy nerdy for seven full years

GOA, India, 10/16/2007 -- Contribute your work, and get a computer! That's the option offered by the Portland,Oregon-based Free Geek. They have been "helping the needy get nerdy since the beginning of the third millennium�. In recognition of their work -made possible with GNU/Linux and free software- this not-for-profit community organisation was jointly awarded the first APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize. Journalist and BytesForAll co-founder Frederick Noronha (FN) interviewed Elizabeth Swager of Free Geek, to find out more about the project, its challenges and how it can be replicated. - APCNews More >>

Cooperation and collaboration holds the key: ICTs in classrooms

GOA, India, 10/16/2007 -- Education, collaboration and co-operation marry and merge in the Argentine classroom, through a unique volunteer-driven project called GLEducar. This project was innovative enough to earn a special mention from the jury of the first APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize. In this interview, Gleducar secretary Daniel Osvaldo Cardaci explains their logic and concerns. - APCNews More >>

Cambodia: KhmerOS to have a social impact

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, 09/18/2007 -- The goal of the KhmerOS project is to produce the basic computer technology necessary for Cambodia to enter the age of technology. The requirements for this technology are clear: It must be in Khmer (Cambodian) language, sustainable, and well adapted to the socio-economic situation of the country. Cambodia not being a profitable market for software companies, the only option left to undertake this effort is to base it on free and open source software (FOSS), which allows translation, adaptation and free distribution of the software. - Open Institute More >>

APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize 2007 finalists announced

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 08/13/2007 -- Seven short-listed prize finalists in 2007 are currently under consideration by an international jury of experts. In September, APC will award the $4,000 USD prize to up to three of these outstanding initiatives. - APCNews More >>

Information Exchange

Greening IT event: Europe�s way to an environmentally sustainable information society

Belgrade, Serbia, 10/05/2007 -- Individual activists and organisations are invited to join an online discussion on the potential of information technology for environmental sustainability. APC, BlueLink Bulgaria, and Ekoforum Serbia will produce a live online talk show from Belgrade in partnership with the UNECE Aarhus Convention Secretariat as a side event to the Sixth Ministerial �Environment for Europe� Conference. - ITES More >>

Information Portals

APC member in Colombia nominated for best portal

Bogota, Columbia, 09/26/2007 -- APC member organization, Colnodo (cmsi.colnodo.apc.org), has been recognized by the Colombian Chamber of Informatics and Telecommunications for their outstanding ICT monitor portal. They have been nominated for best portal in the best online policy site category. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on 4 October 2007. [Spanish] - CCIT More >>

National Literacy Award for Canadian APC member Web Networks

TORONTO, Canada, 09/11/2007 -- APC member in Canada Web Networks announced that its "Tusaalanga" Inuktitut language online learning platform (developed using the open source Drupal system) has received the prestigious national literacy award. Inuktitut is an indigenous language spoken in Candada and other northern territories. - WebNetworks More >>

Internet Access

APC STATEMENT - ICASA HEARINGS ON DRAFT ESSENTIAL FACILITIES REGULATIONS (NOTICE 1800 OF 2007)

South Africa, 03/06/2008 -- APC thanks the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (�the Authority�) for the opportunity to make comment on the oral presentations on the draft regulations prescribing a list of essential facilities and matters related thereto, pursuant to Section 42(8) of the Electronic Communications Act No. 36 of 2005 (�the Act�). - APCNews More >>

Anriette Esterhuysen's speech at the opening session of the second Internet Governance Forum (IGF) touches on key issues

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 11/13/2007 -- APC's executive director, Anriette Esterhuysen's well-received speech at the opening session of the second Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Rio de Janeiro on Monday 12 November 2007 urged the IGF to prioritise access. Touching on critical issues such as security, openness, standards and diversity, she emphasized the potential of the internet to contribute to all aspects of human development.
- APCNews More >>

Members

Computer Aid International wins Nominet�s access award

London, England, 10/16/2007 -- Access remains one of the greatest challenges facing the internet community in the developing world. The Nominet judges believe that the work of Computer Aid epitomizes what their access category represents. Computer Aid has enabled thousands of people in developing countries, who wouldn�t normally have the opportunity, to access to the internet. Computer Aid�s partners are also able to provide training, capacity building and routine maintenance, to ensure that the use of equipment is maximized. - Computer Aid International More >>

Internet Access

APC's executive director gives keynote at Web 2.0 for development conference

ROME, Italy, 09/26/2007 -- Anriette Esterhuysen's opener for the first "Web2fordev" conference taking place in Italy this week on video (the organisers have provided the video viewable in Internet Explorer only!). - Web2ForDev More >>

Open Institute featured in the International Herald Tribune: "Cambodians of post-Khmer Rouge era embrace new cultural revolution � the blog."

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 09/26/2007 -- Increasingly, young, tech-savvy Cambodians are embracing blogs. The trend is changing their lives and their communication with people abroad � even as electricity remains an unreachable dream for most households in this poverty-ridden nation of 14 million. "This is a kind of cultural revolution now happening here in terms of self-expression," said Norbert Klein, of the Open Institute, a close APC partner. - International Herald Tribune More >>

The end of the beginning: DRC plans ambitious infrastructure development

LONDON, UK, 09/11/2007 -- Balancing Act, one of Africa's most important ICTD online media, has picked up on a feasiblity study carried out by APC member Alternatives for an internet backbone for the Democractic Republic of Congo that featured in APCNews earlier this month. "For all the difficulties in Eastern Congo, the DRC has seen a number of recent developments that will form the beginning of a backbone development plan for the country," writes Balancing Act. "Canadian NGO Alternatives launched its extremely detailed feasibility study for a backbone plan and the Government has begun to look at some of the issues that will need to be addressed if it is to be implemented." - Balancing Act More >>

DRC: No electric infrastructure, no internet backbone?

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso, 08/21/2007 -- Within the perspective of making high-speed internet accessible to the Congolese people, the development of an internet backbone in the Congo seems to be a necessity that could give an immediate boost. On Tuesday 7 August 2007, the feasibility study for an open internet backbone in the DRC was officially revealed in Kinshasa. APCNews quizzed Alphonse Ntita, a specialist in ICTs and internet infrastructure issues, who is part of the team of researchers behind the study. - APCNews More >>

DRC: Developing the net in co-ownership

MONTREAL, Canada, 08/21/2007 -- �Feasibility study for an open internet backbone in the Democratic Republic of Congo�, this is what the ripened fruit has been called for close to a year by a team of seasoned researchers. Fran�ois M�nard is one of those who were hands on in this exhaustive study. He is a project manager with the Canadian firm Xit T�l�com. APCNews interviewed him on the subject of deploying a high-speed internet in Congo. - APCNews More >>

Internet Governance

Inspired by Aarhus Convention, Council of Europe and APC propose a code for public participation in internet regulation

RIO de JANEIRO, 11/13/2007 -- Intergovernmental and civil society organisations have drafted a proposal, modelled after the Aarhus Convention of 1998, that would regard the internet as a public service. Aarhus, a unique international environmental agreement, grants the public rights and demands government accountability. The proposed code on internet regulation, drawn up during this year�s Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Rio de Janeiro, would be similarly designed to accommodate participation, encourage greater transparency and improve access to information. - APC More >>

Internet Rights

Internet Governance Forum: APC makes recommendations on themes and structure

GENEVA, Switzerland, 03/03/2008 -- The first preparatory meeting for the next Internet Governance Forum (scheduled for December 2008 in India) was held in Geneva on 26 February 2008. APC issued a statement recommending the implementation of regional and national IGFs, using sustainable development as a key theme and advising on the format of working groups to address and follow up on key issues. APC also submitted a paper that identifies and documents the main areas of discussions and �recommendations� that were generated under the access theme at the second IGF, held in Rio de Janeiro in November 2007. - Policy programme More >>

What Latin Americans understand as internet governance

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, 02/14/2008 -- Through an initiative of the Information Network for Civil Society (RITS), Latin American and Caribbean actors met in Rio de Janeiro in November 2007. Why in Rio and what for? To exchange ideas on the issues that were debated at the second Internet Governance Forum. Read the main pointers.
- APCNews More >>

APC@GK3: Workshop on regulation

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 12/09/2007 -- On December 13 APC, in partnership with LIRNE.net, will be hosting the workshop �Hello Regulator? Regulatory Authorities� Information and Communication Practices�. This session is part of GK3, the third Global Knowledge Conference that is taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- APCNews More >>

Democracy & ICTs

APC makes recommendations to UN internet governance forum

Internet Rights

TAKE BACK THE TECH! Sixteen days of reclaiming technology to end violence against women

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11/23/2007 -- In Uganda, a SMS campaign called Speak out! Stand Out! is organised by WOUGNET to collect messages against violence against women... In Quebec, feminists and communication rights activists are creating short video clips and comic postcards to protest violence against women... In Malaysia, Burmese refugees are making online audio defending women's rights together with Centre for Independent Journalism... Find out how you can join in too... - APC WNSP More >>

Controlling the internet

RIO de JANEIRO, 11/15/2007 -- One of the themes discussed at the second Internet Governance Forum relates to something called the critical internet resources. Critical what? That�s what many people tried to figure out in Rio de Janeiro on November 14, starting with the speakers themselves. - APCNews More >>

Internet Access

Anriette Esterhuysen's speech at the opening session of the second Internet Governance Forum (IGF) touches on key issues

Internet Rights - Latin America & the Caribbean

NEW PUBLICATION: Digital television and radio: Democratisation or greater concentration?

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 11/01/2007 -- Digitalisation of media is an approaching reality for Latin American countries. This technologic paradigm shift promises more democratic and diverse access to radio and TV frequencies. However, there is also a great risk of reproducing the same inequalities and power relations that exist in the �analogical� world and thus of media being in the hands of a few. This paper by Gustavo G�mez Germano
illustrates the political and regulatory implications of an apparently technical and thus neutral phenomenon. It also suggests advocacy priorities to create a more informed and active civil society [full version, pdf format]. - LAC ICT policy monitor More >>

NEW PUBLICATION: Convergence for development: Community radio as a digital inclusion strategy

LIMA, Peru, 11/01/2007 -- The distinction between �new� and �old� technology is no longer significant in the current state of technology convergence. People from community radios and telecentres are working together for more democratic and participatory access to communication, specifically in rural and poor urban areas. This paper by Carlos Rivadeneyra provides conceptual tools to re-think, from this perspective, what we understand by information society [pdf version, in Spanish]. - LAC ICT policy monitor More >>

Internet Rights

New publication on multi-stakeholder partnerships in ICTs for develpment

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 10/26/2007 -- In response to the growing demand for information on multi-stakeholder processes in ICT policy, APC has produced the book �Frequently Asked Questions about Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships in ICTs for Development � A Guide for National ICT Policy Animators�. Download full version [also available in French, pdf format]. - APC Policy Programme More >>

Dialogue on regulation: preparing the GK3 session

NAIROBI, Kenya, 10/23/2007 -- In preparation for the Hello Regulator? session to be held during the Global Knowledge 3 conference, to be held in December in Malaysia, the Kenya ICT Action Network (Kictanet) is currently holding a 10-day e-discussion on eCommunication Strategies for Regulatory Authorities. The objectives of the discussion include: raising awareness on the role and objectives of information and communication regulators; identifying opportunities provided by the internet for achieving regulatory objectives; understanding threats that the internet presents to regulatory functions; discussing how regulatory bodies can use the web to achieve their objectives; establishing appropriate e-communication strategies & practices for regulators; and determining a way forward and conclusions. - LRINE.NET More >>

Call for dialogue: Regulatory frameworks for improving access

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 10/22/2007 -- LIRNE.NET and APC invite internet and telecom practitioners, ICT policy and regulation experts, and other stakeholders to submit statements on what they identify as the key issues and important factors currently facing regulators concerned with access to infrastructure. This dialogue is being undertaken in preparation for the �Regulatory Frameworks for Improving Access� workshop to be held at this year�s Internet Governance Forum. - Lirne.net More >>

Announcements from APC

Event on equitable access

Internet Rights

Crackdown on internet users in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10/05/2007 -- Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members assisted by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) officials are conducting house-to-house searches in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet pinpointing each and every internet user with a fast connection. They are collecting user details from all the internet service providers (ISPs) in order to profile more than 450,000 internet subscribers in the country. - E-Bangladesh More >>

Pakistan�s Draconian Electronic Crime Bill

Pakistan, 09/24/2007 -- A controversial Electronic Crime Bill, drafted by The Ministry of IT & Telecom, Government of Pakistan, is currently being tabled in Parliament in advance of a vote. The bill has already been approved by Cabinet and could receive final approval as early as November. Critics say the Bill is draconian and lacks the safeguards to ensure the protection of civil liberties. - Bytesforall More >>

Press Releases

�Whose Summit? Whose Information Society?� � An investigation of developing country and civil society experience in the World Summit on the Information Society

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 09/12/2007 -- Organised in two stages, and lasting four years, WSIS certainly consumed a great deal of time and resources � both financial and human. But was it worth it? What did WSIS actually achieve? What did developing countries and civil society organisations (CSOs) gain from it? And, perhaps more importantly, did these gains outweigh the costs associated with participation? These are just some of the questions addressed in the book, commissioned by APC and written by David Souter. Read this introductory article to the 128-page study. - APCNews More >>

Internet Rights

Interview with David Souter: Learning from the WSIS Experience

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 09/12/2007 -- APCNews interview with David Souter, author of �Whose Summit? Whose Information Society? Developing countries and civil society at the World Summit on the Information Society�. - APCNews More >>

A technology entrepreneur joins APC�s policy team in Africa

MONTREAL, Canada, 08/21/2007 -- Coura Fall is enterprising, dynamic, knows the media and has knocked around with all sorts of acronyms. One of these is ICT, used to refer to information and communication technology. Coura is preparing to give us an earful of these three letters in her new appointment as Africa ICT policy coordinator for the Association for Progressive Communications. Her first objective is to advocate for a broader access to ICTs, in particular to the internet. This, she says, will primarily be pursued by partnering with civil society, governments and the private sector for developing internet infrastructure in Africa. - APCNews More >>

Internet Access

The end of the beginning: DRC plans ambitious infrastructure development

Media and Internet

APC at Highway Africa & Digital Citizen Indaba 2007

GRAHAMSTOWN, South Africa, 09/11/2007 -- Highway Africa is where more than 600 African journalists gathered between September 10 and 12 in Grahamstown, South Africa. The conference was preceeded by the second Digital Citizen Indaba on blogging which was held at Rhodes University, same location, on September 10. Keep track of the debates on excellence in journalism, and issues such as community media and gender and media in Africa as APC blogs. - APC blog More >>

Internet Rights

A technology entrepreneur joins APC�s policy team in Africa

Internet Rights - Latin America & the Caribbean

NEW PUBLICATION: Digital television and radio: Democratisation or greater concentration?

NEW PUBLICATION: Convergence for development: Community radio as a digital inclusion strategy

Media and Internet

LaborTech conference call for papers and proposals

SAN FRANCISCO, USA, 02/12/2008 -- The programme committee for the 2008 LaborTech conference is soliciting papers and suggestions for topics from labour and technology researchers, activists, workers, and educators. The conference will be organised under four themes, with each theme being explored through panel discussions, hands-on/training workshops, academic paper presentations, and participatory strategy workshops. - LaborTech More >>

It is not just a question of bread vs. radios: Community radio in India

What is happening in Burma?

Burma, 10/02/2007 -- APC partners recommend reliable news sources for those following the Burma democracy and human right crisis. Check www.irrawaddy.org and www.mizzima.com for regular updates. - More >>

APC at Highway Africa & Digital Citizen Indaba 2007

Media in central African conflicts: a difficult choice between impartiality and propaganda

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo, 08/15/2007 -- Information has become a powerful weapon that can be manipulated during times of conflict. This was seen again in central Africa between 1993 and 1994, as revealed by Sylvie Niombo of APC-Africa-Women in her analysis of the work, The media and conflicts in Central Africa, edited by Marie-Soleil Fr�re and published in 2007 by the Panos Institute of Paris. - APCNews More >>

LaborTech conference call for papers and proposals

Members

Computer Aid has shipped its 100,000th PC

LONDON, UK, 12/13/2007 -- APC member in London, Computer Aid International has shipped its 100,000th refurbished computer and appointed a new CEO: Louise Richards was previously executive director of War on Want and prior to that was head of International Relations at UNISON which was at that time the largest trade union in Europe. Tony Roberts, out-going CEO, moves to new post of director of international development. Congratulations, Computer Aid! - APCNews More >>

AZUR D�veloppement joins the APC family

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo, 10/16/2007 -- There is a Congolese proverb that says, �You can�t wash your face with just one finger.� That's the expression APC's new member AZUR D�veloppement is using in reference to the need to solidify links with other APC members in order to get the ICT job done in Congo. And they mean it. Recognising that APC�s members have a lot of experience with ICTs, they believe that their activities and those of APC's members will blend in well. - APCNews More >>

Computer Aid International wins Nominet�s access award

Protege QV celebrates Software Freedom Day 2007 with workshop

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, 10/16/2007 -- APC member Protege QV celebrated a belated but successful Software Freedom Day on Saturday 6 October 2007 with a Web 2.0 and web-based project management application workshop. The international day to educate the public about the importance of software freedom and the availability of free and open source software (FOSS) was officially 15 September 2007, but due to technical constraints, Protege QV pushed its plans ahead. - APCNews More >>

Ungana-Afrika offers free capacity-building workshops

Windhoek, Namibia, 09/28/2007 -- Ungana-Afrika, with the support of OSISA, is hosting a selection of free workshops that help leaders of non-profit organisational communities understand and implement new models of technology support and capacity-building. Upcoming workshops will take place in Windhoek, Namibia on 17-18 October 2007. - Ungana-Afrika More >>

Information Portals

APC member in Colombia nominated for best portal

Members

Amader Gram fellowship announcement - 2008

AMADER GRAM, Bangladesh, 08/13/2007 -- Amader Gram (Our Villages) ICT4D Project is building knowledge society under a pilot scheme in twenty villages of Bagerhat and Khulna Districts in southwest Bangladesh by providing appropriate knowledge and ICT intervention that facilitates both skill transfer and employment creation. The Amader Gram ICT4D Project is offering fellowship for the year 2008. Interested students can send their request by 30 August 2007. - BFES More >>

New generation of cell phones to address underdevelopment?

MONTREAL, Canada, 08/01/2007 -- A rapid assessment, commissioned by the United Nations Children�s Fund (UNICEF) in South Africa and implemented by APC-member Women�sNet, has just been released. If stars all line up, the document will provide baseline data that will inform a strategy to launch a new generation of cell phone technologies to address underdevelopment and in particular HIV/AIDS. Read our correspondent's article "Did you say cell phones for development?" or the full 64-page assessment. - APCNews More >>

Press Releases

South Africa - APC supports national regulator against monopoly

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 03/07/2008 -- APC has stated its whole-hearted support of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) for the drafting of regulations prescribing a list of essential facilities for electronic communications. - APCNews More >>

Democracy & ICTs

APC makes recommendations to UN internet governance forum

Press Releases

Convergence of views on access at international internet forum

RIO de JANEIRO, 11/14/2007 -- The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) recognises that access is the single most important element in any attempt to put in place a governance of the internet. A broad range of suggestions for making access to the internet a reality for the five billion unconnected people were put forward by governments, industry and non-profits currently taking part in the second Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There seems to be a high degree of convergence of views on how to improve access. - APC More >>

Internet Governance

Inspired by Aarhus Convention, Council of Europe and APC propose a code for public participation in internet regulation

Press Releases

Civil society calls for new governance to make internet accessible to Africans

KIGALI, Rwanda, 10/29/2007 -- Convened by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) on the 28th of October 2007, civil society groups have called for new forms of corporate governance to develop the ICT infrastructure in Africa. These new forms should �ensure the interests of all stakeholders, but above all, the interest of African consumers and citizens,� the statement insists. - APC More >>

Free Software

Winners of the APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize 2007 announced

Press Releases

�Whose Summit? Whose Information Society?� � An investigation of developing country and civil society experience in the World Summit on the Information Society

Free Software

APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize 2007 finalists announced

Members

Ungana-Afrika offers free capacity-building workshops

Training and ICTs

Looking for literature? Free software lit now easy to find

GRAHAMSTOWN, South Africa, 09/12/2007 -- Launched on September 11 by Arnold Pietersen of the South African organisation CECS, the �Free knowledge for ICT literacy portal� will act as a guide for people who are looking for �the best information available on and for ICT training�. Pietersen�s enthusiastic launch took place at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, in front of a small but highly stimulated audience attending the 2007 edition of the Highway Africa conference.
- APCNews More >>

Women and ICTs

APC@GK3: Workshop on gender evaluation

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 12/09/2007 -- On December 12 the APC will be organising the workshop �Gender Evaluation Methodology for ICT4D practitioners� at GK3, the third Global Knowledge Conference that is taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. - APCNews More >>

The world wide web of desire: Content regulation on the internet

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, 12/03/2007 -- 'Illegal' and 'harmful' content debates continue to be dominated by the issue of child pornography. While this perspective is important, its dominance overshadows other important aspects, that directly impact on women's lives and rights. This paper by Namita Malhotra brings in feminist perspective, which provides varied understandings of 'harmful content', as well as opens the question of adequate representation of all voices in the content regulations discussions. The paper also explores alternatives that can arise by transforming the paradigm of 'protection from harm' to the 'protection of fundamental freedoms to expression and information'. - APCNews More >>

Internet Rights

TAKE BACK THE TECH! Sixteen days of reclaiming technology to end violence against women

Women and ICTs

Information in Khmer about women's issues becomes available on the internet

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, 10/24/2007