APC’s strength lies in the fact that we don’t get excited about the internet for the internet’s sake. We are committed activists who want to use it to make the world a better place.

We help people get access to the internet where there is none or it is unaffordable, we help grassroots groups use the technology to develop their communities and further their rights, and we work to make sure that government policies related to information and communication serve the best interests of the general population, especially people living in developing countries.

The APC vision

All people have easy and affordable access to a free and open internet to improve their lives and create a more just world.

The APC mission

APC’s mission is to empower and support organisations, social movements and individuals in and through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to build strategic communities and initiatives for the purpose of making meaningful contributions to equitable human development, social justice, participatory political processes and environmental sustainability.

A network and an organisation

APC is both a network and an organisation. APC members are groups working in their own countries to advance the same mission as APC. In December 2008, APC had 52 members in 37 countries, the majority from developing countries.

The membership define APC’s strategic priorities every five years. APC has a small staff, each living in different countries and communicating day-to-day over the internet (we have no central headquarters). APC’s value and uniqueness come from the local perspectives and contact with grassroots organisations that we gain from our members and the fact that we operate as a truly virtual, international organisation.

How we work

We organise our work in three programme areas:

• communications and information policy
• women’s networking support

• strategic use of technology and capacity building

Our strongest activities are often those taking place at the local or national level where the real impact can be felt, and from which the network can learn and replicate regionally or internationally. We work best when we can really work as a network – i.e., programmes and members work together to conceptualise projects and campaigns and then implement them together.

APC values working with other people beyond our own network. We are aware of our own limitations as well as the power of networking. Where we lack knowledge or expertise and need to learn in order to better engage challenges, we form partnerships. In all of APC’s work we encourage people to network as a means of making other activities more sustainable. If people share their experiences and skills they have greater value over a longer period and often create a ripple effect.

Strategic priorities for 2009-12

Established by our international membership, APC the worldwide network has resolved to:

• Advocate for affordable internet access for all
• Make technology work to sustain the environment
• Use emerging technologies for social change
• Build the “information commons”
• Secure and defend internet rights

• Improve governance, especially internet governance

You can find out more details in our strategic action framework. Why did APC members choose these priorities?

Consultative status to the United Nations

We are an active participant in high level international ICT policy discussions, and were granted category one consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1995.

Legal status

We were founded in 1990, and operated legally as a partner of the Tides Foundation until 1998, when we were incorporated as a nonprofit under section 501( c ) (3), public charity status 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi) state of California, USA. APC is governed according to the nonprofit regulations of the State of California, even though we are an international network.

The big picture, year after year

If you want to gain a quick overview of APC, for a given year, visit the Publication section of our website. You will find APC’s Annual Reports, among other.