Association for Progressive Communications

"I congratulate APC on their 25th anniversary, which was celebrated in Brazil. But surely it is more than 25 years. Here is my small story. I joined Homeonet in 1987 from Manchester, and spectacularly was able to obtain a rare homeopathic medicine for my friend the late David Warkentin. I obtained it from England as he could not find it in California. We both said Hurrah and became friends, not just virtually but stayed in each others houses and worked together on software for homeopaths which is still running. BIG thanks for being there." -- Francis Treuherz

"When I was working for SANGONeT in the early 2000s, I was invited to give a presentation at an APC workshop in Johannesburg. I forget what I spoke about. All I remember was: Colour. A wash of colour. Hair, clothes, accents, perspectives. And the energy was different to what I was used to. So many people, from so many different countries - it blew me away. A few years later, I started working on APC projects as a freelancer, and then later as a staff member too. That sense of colour has never gone away. APC has connected me to different cultures in ways that are profound, and unusual. It's something that feels so ordinary now for me, but I don't think it is. Coming from such an inward-looking country, it has been a great richness to connect outwards." -- Alan Finlay, South Africa

"As an individual, APC has given me the opportunity to meet different people and share with them on different subjects. As an organisation, we have opportunities through APC to meet different organisations, build South-South and North-South project collaborations, and use face-to-face meetings to get to know each other and share our common views on how ICTs can better improve the lives of communities and citizens. Joyeux Anniversaire, APC!" -- Avis Momeni, PROTEGE QV, Cameroon

"I think that the main contribution made by APC has been to increase the visibility of the role of civil society organisations in setting the agenda for building the information society from a human rights-based perspective." -- Eduardo Rojas, Fundación REDES, Bolivia

"APC is a meeting and learning point, a point for sharing experiences, processes, results and objectives. And also a coordinating point for local, regional and global efforts." -- Mario Morales, Colombia

"As far as I am concerned, APC has given me the opportunity to take part in trainings and to increase my skills in ICTs and related aspects. Through the various events I have attended, I have been able to meet with people, share and gain experience, and gradually become a knowledgeable digital security trainer. I know many more opportunities are still to come, so Happy Anniversary and long live the opportunities and partnerships provided by APC! :) -- Olga Balbine Tsafack, PROTEGE QV, Cameroon"

"I do feel very happy and proud of the work we did with APC. For me and other technicians involved in this huge project, it became a way of life." -- Cristina Vasconi Nicarao — Nicaragua

“I believe APC played a much larger role in the evolution of the internet than most commentators and historians have mentioned" -- Ian Peters, founder of Pegasus

“After the Berlin Wall fell, NGOs were almost desperate to connect with one another within their countries, among their countries and with Western Europe, North America and others. APC node ZaMirNET in the former Yugoslavia was essential to helping women activists for peace connect during the conflict in the Balkans." -- Victoria Vrana

For the past several decades, APC and its member organisations have played a leading role establishing the first internet service in many countries, creating and promoting the first Internet Rights Charter, and helping individual activists, NGOs, and UN organisations and events harness of the power of the internet as a force for positive change in the world.” -- Peter Gabriel

"I am very proud to be part of your big family and have such great shared space to express myself as woman and as activist for marginalised culture. So, in our Tamzight language: “assegas dan mar APC” (happy new year, APC :)" -- Maha Jouini, Tunisia