News
Civil society letter to US Congress on internet and telecommunications surveillance
After revelations of systematic surveillance by the US government, APC and other civil society organizations call the US Congress to take immediate action to dismantle existing, and prevent the creation of future, global internet and telecommunications based surveillance systems. The call can be endorsed online.
US-based surveillance and data collection: New UN report provides guidance on PRISM
As leaked classified documents reveal widespread surveillance by the US National Security Agency, the latest report by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, examines implications of States’ surveillance of communications on fundamental rights.
Latin America and the Caribbean Internet governance forum: Apply for a scholarship!
Activists, academics, governments and the private sector will gather in Cordoba, Buenos Aires, to discuss the present and future of the internet in the regional preparatory meeting to be held from 27-29 August. Apply for a scholarship and join the conversation from Argentina!
#FBrape campaign and the necessary debate
The “Take action to end gender-based violence on Facebook” campaign, or #FBrape campaign, co-signed by the APC Women´s Rights Programme, triggered interesting, timely, and necessary debates around freedom of expression, censorship, privacy, and intermediary liability. Read the collection of GenderIT.org Feminist Talk discussions.
US government surveillance: Civil society calls on Human Rights Council
After recent revelations of surveillance of internet and telephone communications of US and non-US nationals by the government of the United States civil society calls on the Human Rights Council to act swiftly to prevent the creation of a global Internet based surveillance system.
PRESS RELEASE: New wireless technologies allow internet and broadcasting to coexist on airwaves
Unused radio spectrum, known was TV white space, can provide a low-cost solution for providing internet access to people living in remote and rural areas in Africa. APC along with other ICT policy makers and experts from 35 countries gathered together in Dakar to discuss this new approach to connectivity.
Carlos Afonso delivers the opening speech at CSTD 16th session
Carlos Afonso of APC’s member organisation in Brazil, Núcleo de Pesquisas, Estudos e Formação (Nupef), delivers a compelling opening speech at the 16th session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) in Geneva, 3-7 June 2013.
Macedonian government moves to limit online free speech and increase State control of the media
Answer an urgent call for support for Metamorphosis Foundation in their efforts to fight for internet and human rights of Macedonia’s citizens.
Call for applications to participate in the First African School on Internet Governance in Durban
The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency–e-Africa Programme are pleased to announce the call for applications for the first African School on Internet Governance to be held in Durban, South Africa, from 10-12 July 2013.
Event: TV white spaces Africa forum
From May 30-31st community wireless activists, regulators, and business are gathered in Dakar, Senegal, discussing the potential TV spectrum that can potentially be used locally in Africa, in an event co-organized by APC. Follow the discussion on Twitter #tvwsAfrica
Event: State surveillance in the digital age: the implications for freedom of expression and the right to privacy
APC, together with Privacy International and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is hosting a side-event to the Human Rights Council on State surveillance and human rights on Tuesday, June 4.
How funny is this, Facebook?
“Take action to end gender-based violence on Facebook” is this campaign’s call that asks companies whose publicity appears on explicitly violent Facebook pages and profiles to help pressure the social networking platform to re-examine its response to violence against women and girls.
PRESS RELEASE: Improve participation, planning and allocation: APC's comments to the South African national broadband policy
In April 2013, the South African government published their proposal for a national broadband policy with the aim of ensuring “universal service and access to reliable, affordable and secure broadband services by all citizens prioritising, rural and under-serviced areas.” These are the comments officially submitted by APC.
Press release: Freedom of expression and hate speech continue to dominate internet rights discourse at UPR
Between 22 April and 3 May 2013, the UN Human Rights Council held the 16th session of its Universal Periodic Review. APC, together with its members and partners, developed submissions for the inclusion of internet-related human rights issues in the recommendations made for the reviews of Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Canada and Colombia.
World Telecommunications/ICT Policy Forum: Closing statement by civil society
From 14-16 May the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum took place in Geneva. APC and other civil society representatives presented a closing statement calling on the International Telecommunication Union and all participating governments to ensure transparency, openness and inclusivity in their policy processes. Read the statement.
Participation in Cyber Stewards network reinforces Colnodo's work on tech-related violence against women
The Cyber Stewards network organised a meeting that took place on 17-18 March 2013. APC member Colnodo took part in a workshop at the meeting, themed “Governance without government in cyberspace?” Colnodo’s participation in the network strengthens Colnodo’s work in the “End violence: Women’s rights and safety online” project in Colombia.
New coalition to TPP negotiators: This is what a Fair Deal looks like
Today, APC along with a coalition of organisations representing a diversity of interests have come together from around the world to ask for A Fair Deal on intellectual property (IP) in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). Click to read our joint press release.
APCNews interviews Alex Comninos on developing a cybersecurity agenda for civil society
APC has released a new issue paper, “A cyber security agenda for civil society: what is at stake?” For the release of this issue paper, author Alex Comninos spoke with APC’s Shawna Finnegan about cybersecurity, ICTs for human security and conflict prevention, and the challenges faced by civil society.
WSIS Forum: Dialogue on integrating gender equality, women's empowerment and ICT
Many gender equality and women’s empowerment related events are taking place at the World Summit on the Information Society Forum in Geneva. Jac sm Kee from APC Women’s Rights Programme participated in the High Level Dialogue on “Women’s Empowerment in the Information Society: Systemic, Scalable Strategies.”
2013 WSIS Forum: Events on gender equality and women’s empowerment
If you are planning to attend the World Summit on the Information Society Forum taking place from May 13-17 in Geneva, either in person or remotely, here you can find a compilation of all the events focusing on women’s rights.
