Association for Progressive Communications

Internet for social justice and sustainable development

For those of us who have access to it, the internet has become an essential part of our daily information and communication needs. However millions of people still do not have affordable, reliable or sufficient connectivity. APC believes the internet is a global public good. Founded in 1990, we are an international network and non-profit organisation that wants everyone to have access to a free and open internet to improve our lives and create a more just world.

What people say about APC / What the media says about APC

PRUEBA PRUEBA

16 August 2011 (APCNews)

Take Back the Tech! allows abused women to unburden in Pakistan: But what next?

LAHORE 12 July 2011 (APC for GenderIT.org)

Denouncing sexual abuse in Pakistan is a risky move. But after over six years of abuse by her biological father, a young woman who attended an APC Take Back the Tech! workshop in Peshawar could contain herself no more.

tbtt

Pakistan blocks sex, drugs AND rock and roll

OTTAWA 12 July 2011 (GJ for APCNews)

Pakistani authorities have blocked Rolling Stone magazine’s website for criticising the country’s level of military spending. But other banned sites are back online, APC has been informed.

Pakistan, filtering

EroTICs raises fascinating questions about sex and the internet, say experts

OTTAWA 11 July 2011 (GJ for GenderIT.org)

APC’s two-year research into sexuality and the internet reveals that contrary to popular opinion sexuality online is about much more than porn. As the EroTICs research is about to publish its complete findings next month, experts Clarissa Smith, Katharine Sarikakis and Pramada Menon critique.

erotics

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Sexual minorities marginalised in internet policy debates in Brazil

ROSARIO 11 July 2011 (FF for GenderIT.org)

The EroTICs research team in Brazil studied the complex relationship between sexual minorities and internet policy. Their findings show that these groups were routinely ignored in debates surrounding internet regulation.

sexual minorities, erotics

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Sex rights activists organise in secret on the net

11 July 2011 (Esther Nasikye for GenderIT.org)

For years sexual rights activists in repressive societies have been using the internet as a means to communicate, organise and express their sexuality without fear of persecution. Thanks to EroTICs, this vibrant ecosystem of human connections is being studied for the first time.

erotics

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Sexuality online in Lebanon and USA: Censorship is not the answer

11 July 2011 (Mavic Cabrera-Balleza for GenderIT.org)

Controlling — or filtering — what people can and can’t see online related to sex however well intentioned can have a profoundly negative impact. Censorship affects not only sexual expression but blocks access to sexual education and important movement-building tools for LGBTI activists.

erotics

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Pro-democracy protesters in Malaysia warn of internet clampdown

KUALA LUMPUR 8 July 2011 (APC for APCNews)

: Bersich 2.0 protest poster

As the Berish 2.0 protesters campaign for free and open elections, signs of a stuttering internet from various providers are becoming aparent, and are pointing to a possible internet and telco blackout warns the group . APC supports the Berish protesters in their fight for democracy.

Berish, internet blackout

APC questions new Pakistan petition to filter the internet

JOHANNESBURG 7 July 2011 (APC for APC)

A recent petition which calls on Pakistani internet service providers to filter the internet has sparked concern among internet rights advocates. APC criticises the proposal as inappropriate in a democratic society which values freedom of expression and the right to information.

internet ban, censorship

APC expresses concern over OECD Communique on principles for internet policy-making

JOHANNESBURG 1 July 2011 (APC for APC)

“Anyone involved in the development of the internet over the last twenty years knows that transgression has probably been a far greater driver of innovation than IP protection,” says APC in a statement which points to “positive signs” coming out of the recent OECD meeting but questions the take on intellectual property as well as internet intermediaries’ responsibility for policing the net.

OECD

What we do

Digital broadcast migration in West Africa: What's the dividend?
African countries committed to migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting by 2015 – but migration won't be easy or cheap. We work with civil society, broadcasters, policy-makers and regulators to produce the data and tools required to make informed decisions.
EroTICs: An exploratory research project into sexuality and the internet

Breakthrough study in Brazil, India, Lebanon, South Africa & USA is showing the internet hosts critical info about sex education, health, fighting sex discrimination and defining your own sexuality. Sexuality online is not just about porn.
Internet rights are human rights

Everyone has rights, including online. APC is documenting trends, lobbying for freedom of expression and to info in international forums and training human rights activists to use the internet securely.
MDG3: Take Back the Tech! to end violence against women

As part of Millennium Development Goal 3 to promote gender equality we are working with women in 12 countries to use technology to end violence against women – and to fight violence carried out online or on mobiles.
Open spectrum for development

Wireless technology could radically transform the lives of millions of people living with poor connectivity — but only if the policy makes sense. Our research critiques the situation in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

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Featured publications

The mobile internet from a human rights perspective: Collected policy briefs
By APC (May 2011, APC )

Whilst an increasing number of countries have ICT development strategies in place, these often focus on expanding access to technology and do not pay adequate consideration to issues around usability, active citizenship, culture and rights.

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Global Information Society Watch 2010: Focus on ICTs and environmental sustainability
By APC/Hivos (November 2010, APC/Hivos )

The worldwide GISWatch network reports on the adverse impacts of technology consumption and e-waste on the environment and the positive uses of technology to alleviate climate change from more than 50 countries. Also includes seven expert reports including on smart and green grassroots technologies.

Readers' rating:
5

(1 vote)
GenARDIS 2002 - 2010: Small grants that made big changes for women in agriculture
By APC (September 2010, APC )

The GenARDIS fund disbursed US $250,000 to use technology to improve rural livelihoods in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific over almost a decade. Here are lessons learned in English and French.

Readers' rating:
5

(6 votes)
The APC ICT Policy Handbook (Second edition)
By APC/Ed. David Souter (November 2009, APC )

APC launched our first ICT policy handbook “for beginners” in 2003 to critical acclaim. It was the first comprehensive guide for non-technicians. Now APC has published an entirely rewritten second edition free and online for anyone to download.

Readers' rating:
5

(1 vote)