Subject: APCNews - July 2003 - No. 35 Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2003 10:52:35 -0300 From: "rits-apcmsgs Listmanager" Reply-To: "staff messages" To: (Recipients of 'rits-apcmsgs' suppressed) From: Karen Higgs --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *APCNews, the monthly newsletter of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC)* - July 2003 No. 35 - --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS -- -- NEWS FROM APC -- -- APC ACTION AREA: BUILDING INFO COMMUNITIES -- -- APC ACTION AREA: INTERNET RIGHTS -- -- WOMEN & ICTs -- -- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES -- -- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES - --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS - FOUNDATION FOR MEDIA ALTERNATIVES, PHILIPPINES: Human Rights Software Being Tested in the Philippines is Expected to Improve Documentation of Abuses Human rights work is highly vulnerable to situations where crucial data is destroyed or confiscated, making it difficult and sometimes impossible for law enforcers and the courts to prosecute violators. Martus, a new open source software whose name means "witness" in Greek, enables human rights organizations to safely store their data in a secure, remote server, without the fear of falling prey to hackers and those who might want to sabotage their work. Using Martus, just as with e-mail, information can be shared and transmitted, but with greater security. New APC member in Manila, the Foundation for Media Alternatives has partnered with The Asia Foundation and non-profit US technologists, the Benetech Initiative in promoting the use of the Martus Human Rights Bulletin System, an email-like software developed by Benetech to guarantee the secure transmission of human rights abuse data. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12582 GREENNET, UK: United Kingdom Internet Rights Website, www.internetrights.org.uk, will help citizens get involved in forming the information society of the future "When laws are passed that affect people's access to water or electricity, then thousands of people march together in the streets; but when a government passes a law that enables it to read people's personal email, then there is silence," said Paul Mobbs, UK activist and writer of many of the materials on the new site launched in June by APC member in London, GreenNet. Mobbs attributed the silence to the complexity and technicality of the issues and the lack of easy-to-understand information that explains to people how legislation governing the Internet has profound effects on our daily lives. "UK Civil Society Internet Rights" provides a wide range of information resources to help people add their voices to the important debates that will govern the Information Society in the future. Aimed particularly at civil society organisations who wish to be actively involved in ICT policy development, the website contains detailed briefings as well as concise fact sheets outlining some of the major issues in Internet rights, including data retention, software patents, online privacy and anti-terrorism legislation. http://www.internetrights.org.uk/press.shtml ECONNECT, CZECH REPUBLIC: An Online Handbook to Citizens' Rights by Public Officials in the Czech Republic Challenges Abuses Each year, Econnect selects one crucial current topic on which to create an information portal for Czech audiences. June saw the launch of "Information Portal Civic Society - The Citizen's Handbook to Citizens' Rights" - this year's thematic portal intended to serve as a "civic defence" guide for those who feel their rights are not being respected by government officials or big business. Why citizen's rights? Since the end of 1990s, a feeling of helplessness has pervaded many sections of Czech society, with citizens' feeling that the present decision-makers are moving towards the creation of a more authoritarian society where the public's voice has limited influence. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12837 JINBONET, SOUTH KOREA: Hunger strikers protest collection of private information on the eight-million strong student population of South Korea June 18th, 2003, nine human rights activists in South Korea started a hunger strike against the recently introduced National Education Information System (NEIS). NEIS is a gigantic database established by the government to gather the private information of students, parents and teachers. Many civil society organisation, students groups, parents groups and teachers group criticise the implementation of NEIS, because it severely infringes the basic human rights including privacy. However the Korean government has announced that despite a ruling from the national human rights commission and widespread protests by human rights workers and teachers unions, it will go ahead with plans to impose the nationwide database system. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12832 LABORNET, USA: Labour Conference on Access in the USA Faces Up To Monopolisation Threats More than 60 labor, community media and internet activists met on April 5, 2003 to discuss the growing threat to democratic rights on cable, the internet and other telecom areas reports APC member in the US, LaborNet. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12830 STRAWBERRYNET, Romania: Romanian environmental groups work online to defeat anti-ecological proposals The Rosia Montana gold mine project would have been an environmental disaster. The "Dracula" theme park - inspired by the story of the infamous Transylvanian count - was to be have been built in a treasured medieval town declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a direct result of NGO efforts, many coordinated in lists hosted by APC member in Romania, StrawberryNet, the World Bank has pulled its investment in the gold mine project, depriving it not only of a significant source of funding, but of credibility, and the Dracula amusement park has been moved to a new, more viable location. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12807 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- NEWS FROM APC - NEW! APC Launches Guide to Running a National ICT Policy Consultation for the World Summit on the Information Society The upcoming World Summit on the Information Society is a great learning opportunity for civil society organisations that are new to the ICT policy process to begin to articulate positions and gain valuable experience in lobbying that can be taken back to their home countries. "But How Do We Start Working At National Level?" The APC guide "FAQ about Conducting a National WSIS Process" outlines the steps to take and key components in organising a national consultation around ICT policy. The "question & answer" format homes in on some of the key questions we have heard people ask about how to organise. The primary target audience is people that are active in using or promoting the use of ICTs in their work, but who have not necessarily been involved in national level policy processes previously. "We find this is true of many ICT oriented organisations who tend to be hands on, providing training, support, and content," said APC Executive Director, Anriette Esterhuysen. "Working at the policy level can be quite intimidating. Our goal is to provide encouragement and support so that ICT CSOs can build the confidence to raise their voices in policy discussions." Find out more about the "FAQ about Conducting a National WSIS Process". APC FAQ ON CONDUCTING A NATIONAL WSIS CONSULTATION Download the FAQ: http://rights.apc.org/nationalfaq_wsis_v1.pdf Read more about it: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12828 NEW! Release of UNESCO/APC Multimedia Training Kit "The farmers' cooperative that uses our telecentre can never find the information they want online. I want to offer them basic Internet training but I don't have materials" "A women's group I have trained has been offered a regular 15-minute spot on a local radio show. They've asked me for a workshop on script-writing but my experience is in writing for web, not radio" More and more people are seeing the creative potential of linking the Internet to more traditional communication technologies, particularly radio and television....... The UNESCO/APC Multimedia Training Kit (MMTK) provides trainers in telecentres, community media organisations, and the development sector with a structured set of materials to help make that jump between new and traditional media or train in a new skill area. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12764 APC BETINHO COMMUNICATIONS PRIZE IN 2003: Recognising people-centred technology initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean The APC Betinho Prize in 2003 recognises outstanding examples of information and communication technology (ICT) use that are improving the lives of people and communities in Latin America and the Caribbean. We are looking for ICT initiatives that: * are people-centred and mobilise participation * are driven and developed in Latin America and the Caribbean * have positive community impact and we particularly encourage initiatives that: * Promote a culture of peace, mutual respect and tolerance * Monitor the defence of civil liberties * Promote the democratisation of the media * Make or use community-focused free and open source software * Encourage the use of ICTs by women * Encourage the use of ICTs by traditionally marginalised communities * Facilitate the creation and/or adoption of people-centred ICT policies THE PRIZE IS OPEN TO: civil society organisations, community-based groups, networks, and social movements anywhere in Latin America and the Caribbean. Applications will be accepted in some of the most widely used languages in the region - Spanish, Portuguese and English. THE PRIZE: USD$7,500.00 will be shared amongst up to three winning initiatives. DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: August 15, 2003 MORE ABOUT THE APC BETINHO PRIZE: http://www.apc.org/english/betinho Two New Members Join APC: ZaMirNet, Croatia and the Foundation for Media Alternatives, Philippines Long-time Peace and Non-Violence Activists in Croatia - ZaMirNet ZaMirNET is a non-governmental organisation which facilitates the use of ICT to create and disseminate information needed for the development of the civil society in Croatia and its surroundings. The basic principles of their work are "empowerment, non-discrimination, solidarity and collaboration with groups and individuals devoted to the culture of peace and non-violence". http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12835 Alternative Media Centre in the Philippines - FMA The Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) is a nonprofit service provider in the Philippines whose mission is to help civil society organizations and other development-oriented organisations - in their strategic and appropriate use of information and communications media for democratization and people's empowerment. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12259 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- APC ACTION AREA: BUILDING INFO COMMUNITIES - NEW! APC invites you to an on-line learning event: Understanding Civil Society Portals APC is holding an on-line learning event - *Understanding Civil Society Portals* - from July 7 to 30. The learning event is based on the study of the same name realized by APC one year ago in cooperation with five model portals - ItrainOnline.org (international), WomensNet.org.za (Southern Africa), UruguayTotal.com (Uruguay), Rabble.ca (Canada) and ChangeNet.sk (Slovakia). Find out more about the event taking place online throughout July: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12728 Stories from the Trenches: Activists at PrepCom2 In February 2003, APC attended the second preparatory meeting for the World Summit on the Information Society to be held in Geneva in December. Journalist, Maud Hand, accompanied our team and interviewed several of the communications activists from other participating organisations. These are the last of the stories to be published: "How to Get Hold of a Book in Rural Zimbabwe" 'Never mind computers, for many of the people that we're dealing with in the rural villages of Zimbabwe, getting their hands on a book is a major event,' reflects Stella, a representative from the Africa Community Publishing & Development Trust. Stella is actually an alias for this impassioned activist who was determined to attend the second preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information Society held in Geneva in February 2003 despite threats from Mugabe's administration warning her off liaising in any way with the machinery of the United Nations. - Maud Hand for APC http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12595 "The Challenges for Women Working as Journalists in Mozambique" "Once it was decided to form a national media organisation to represent our journalistic rights, I was naturally interested," reflects Maria Karmilda Masinga, a broadcast journalist working for Mozambique Public Radio in Maputo. Maria was the Mozambiquan MISA (Media Institute of Southern Africa) representative at Prep Com 2 in February 2003. Alongside her lively Southern African sisters, Maria's message was simple when it comes to information and communication technologies. - Maud Hand for APC http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12598 Interview with Maitreyi Doshi, Indian youth activist at the second preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information Society 'I'm here as a representative from 'Taking it Global' to help co-ordinate the Youth Caucus at Prep Com 2 because I firmly believe that the perspectives of young people have to be taken on board. We're the future leaders and innovators in ICT so we're here to ensure that our vision and ventures make an impact.' - Maud Hand for APC http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12806 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- APC ACTION AREA: INTERNET RIGHTS - About the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) from Choike - A Portal on Southern Civil Societies A comprehensive, non-nonsense guide to the UN conference from APC member in Uruguay, the Third World Institute (ITeM) in English and Spanish. http://www.choike.org/cgi-bin/choike/links/page.cgi?p=ver_indepth&id=703 [English] http://www.choike.org/cgi-bin/choike/links_esp/page.cgi?p=ver_indepth&id=647&cat=2 [Spanish] APC and APC WNSP Critique the Draft Declaration and Action Plan Prepared for the UN World Summit on the Information Society In detailed documents submitted to the secretariat of the United Nations' World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), APC and the APC Women's Programme recognised the efforts of the WSIS drafting committee to include the concerns and interests of the many governments, private sector and civil society stakeholders taking part in the process which will culminate in the first ever UN Summit dedicated to communications in Geneva in December. However, say the ICT activists, "there are critical issues [that] are not addressed sufficiently, if at all". http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12235 Comments on World Summit on the Information Society documents dated 21 March 2003 "Whilst we welcome many of the principles outlined in the declaration, there are critical issues which are not addressed sufficiently, if at all. The document does not explicitly confront the fact that fundamental political, social and economic inequalities shape our world. Nor does the document adequately recognise the centrality of gender inequality to broader social inequality. Increased access to knowledge, without greater access to power and decision-making and the equitable redistribution of available resources, is unlikely to result in reducing the gap between the powerful and the powerless." http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12209 APC Womens' Programme Critiques the Draft Declaration and Action plan Prepared for the UN "World Summit on the Information Society" APC Women's Programme criticises the WSIS declaration of principles because it "does not explicitly confront the fact that fundamental political, social and economic inequalities shape our world" and does not "adequately recognise the centrality of gender inequality to broader social inequality." Read the full comments. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12233 Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa: Action plan and debate in UK Parliament The Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) in conjunction with APC has completed an action plan for 2003-2005 and a briefing on the state of FOSS in Africa. The foundation came into being during a preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information Society in February 2003 and now support for FOSSFA is being debated in the British Houses of Parliament! http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12766 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- WOMEN & ICTs - GEM - Gender Evaluation Methodology for ICT Initiatives - to be Released at the UN World Summit on the Information Society After four regional workshops in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe during 2002 and early 2003, the GEM for ICTs toolkit is being reviewed with plans to release a final version at the United Nations Conference "World Summit on the Information Society" in Geneva in December. While the GEM tool is available online for anyone to download, since last year tester organizations have been providing feedback from a variety of ICT projects in order to test GEM's versatility and durability. The organizations represent a broad range of ICT initiatives in advocacy, training and education, women's communication and information networks, employment, urban and rural telecentres, and networking and community building. Selected in addition for their geographical diversity, the projects are based in 20 different countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe. While the majority work locally or nationally, five initiatives are regional. Projects range from a Mongolian distance education initiative to an urban telecenter in Bogota, Colombia. http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12839 The Women's Electronic Network Training team is preparing for the annual Asia Pacific training workshop WENT is open to all women whose organisations play or will play a significant role in promoting the use of information and communication technology to enhance women's role and capacity in social and policy advocacy, as well as to strengthen women's organisations and networks in Asia and the Pacific. Since 1999, WENT has trained over 100 women from 18 countries in the Asia Pacific region. Pilot local/national WENT workshops were held in 2002, in The Philippines and Malaysia. WENT2003 will be held in October, in South Korea. This year's training Program includes Content Development, E-Commerce, and Trainers' Training. APC member in Australia, c2o's Justina Curtis is a member of the WENT training team. The team met in March 2003 (WENT Trainer Clinic documentation) and a strategic and operational planning meeting is scheduled July 2-7. Application details will be available in August. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES -- Special on Internet Governance and Civil Society: Chakula No. 6 In this month's APC Africa Internet Rights Newsletter 'Chakula' we focus on the issue of 'Internet Governance' a term that is loosely used to describe policy issues regarding the Internet. These include factors such as management of Internet names and numbers, establishment and management of policy-making bodies, and equity and representation issues within Internet policy-making bodies. This newsletter also connects these issues to the ongoing process of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) which has raised and made various statements on the subject. The role of civil society organizations in Internet governance is also explored with specific focus on case studies from Kenya, South Africa and Brazil. http://africa.rights.apc.org/newsletter.shtml --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES - AMARC: Seeking Secretary General The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that facilitates cooperation, exchange and communication between community radio stations around the world with the perspective to democratize communication. AMARC has existed as a global movement for 20 years, and as an international NGO for 15 years. The Secretary General is responsible for the coordination of all organizational activities at the international level. The contract is in Montreal, Canada for five years. Deadline: July 25 AMARC jobs: http://www.amarc.org/jobs Highway Africa Award for the Innovative use of New Media in Africa. This award is given annually at the Highway Africa conference to recognize the creative, innovative and appropriate use of new media technology in Africa. Judges are looking for innovative applications of new media in African journalism. Awards are given in three categories: individual/student, non-profit and corporate. Previous winners in the individual category include: Omololu Falobi from Nigeria, who created an email distribution list to deliver a very successful newsletter on Aids to his wider community and Africa almanac.com, which focuses on the history, achievements, economic developments, news, arts and culture of Africa. Deadline for nominations: July 31 Email nominations to highwayafrica@ru.ac.za Highway Africa: http://www.highwayafrica.org.za ICT Stories Competition 2003: Seeking Nominations Opportunities to learn from one's own experiences and to share the experiences with others are an important means to strengthen respective knowledge bases. Others find inspiration and can learn from those successes and mistakes, without having to start a new project from scratch, not knowing what others already know about the inherent risks and costs, as well as about possible approaches to manage them. The ICT Stories objective is to capture the learning process that accompanies the introduction and implementation of ICTs in a project in exemplary stories. Based on a set of criteria three winning stories will be selected by a renowned jury. The writers of these stories will be given the opportunity to travel to Switzerland to present their findings at the ICT4D platform at the WSIS. Deadline: September 30 More information: http://www.iicd.org/stories/ Email: stories@iicd.org --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- APCNews, in English, and APCNoticias, in Spanish, are distributed monthly by APC, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), the international Internet community for peace, human rights, development and the environment. APCNews Archive: http://www.apc.org/english/news/apcnews/ CopyLeft. 2003 Association for Progressive Communications (APC). Permission is granted to use this document for personal use, for training and educational publications, and activities by peace, environmental, human rights or development organizations. Please provide an acknowledgment to APC. ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum@lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum ======================================= Para responder: mailto:rits-apcmsgs.13335@ciberforum.org.br Para enviar novo tópico: mailto:rits-apcmsgs@ciberforum.org.br Para entrar no fórum: http://ciberforum.org.br:8080/~apcstaff