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APC at the Internet Governance Forum in India

LisaC — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:30:05 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (KB and KAH for APCNews) -

At the first Internet Governance Forum (IGF), “access to the internet” emerged as an issue of common concern and priority to all stakeholders. At the second IGF the business, civil society and technical communities worked together to reach a consensus on what should be done to increase access to the internet across the world. “Reaching the next billion” is now one of the priority themes for the upcoming third IGF – with participants working together to move from debate and discussion to a manifesto for action. Find out more and where APC will be.

Programme: APC at the IGF

analia — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:01:27 +0000

(APC) -

Going to the IGF? APC staff and members will be there, busy participating in workshops and panel sessions. Here you’ll find a ready-to-print list of events in which APC staff and members will be speaking and APC-organised or co-organised events. We look forward to meeting you face-to-face.

Ten years of building progressive social movements in South Korea

LisaC — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:23:56 +0000

BILASPUR (Anupama Saxena for APCNews) -

The 1990s witnessed the exponential growth of online communication and simultaneously experienced its widespread impacts on all aspects of human activities. Worldwide progressive social movements recognised the potential of online communication and started using it as a networking tool for furthering their causes. APC member in South Korea, Jinbonet, was to see the flashpoint for their own birth in 1997, during a general strike, which “showed that computer networks could play a useful organising role across borders for each sector of the movement,” says Byoung-il of Jinbonet in an interview with APCNews to commemorate the organisation’s tenth anniversary.

Take Back the Tech: take action - online and off - to end violence against women

LisaC — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:06:56 +0000

MEXICO (ES for APCNews) -

Whether its through community radio, posters, sms, emails, audiocasts or websites, creative and informed use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) helps get the word out on violence against women (VAW). We have to know about technology to best use it for our activism, we have to understand it to protect ourselves and others, and to keep shaping an internet for all. From 25 November to 10 December it’s time once again to “Take Back the Tech!” and use ICTs to end violence against women.

ESLARED was awarded Jon Postel Service Award 2008 by ISOC

LisaC — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:14:53 +0000

(ESLARED) -

On 19 November 2008, the Internet Society announced that ESLARED (Fundación Escuela Latinoamericana de Redes) was the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Jonathan B. Postel Service Award.

FTX Hub takes back the tech

LisaC — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:13:12 +0000

CAPETOWN (ES for APCNews) -

Skill sharing sessions on wikis, web 2.0, a tech hunt, and webcasts marked the first day of the FTX (Feminist Tech eXchange) Hub as part of the Power of Movements forum, from November 14 – 17 2008 in Capetown. The FTX Hub is a place to put those skills into practice – and to share ideas around how critical communications rights are to women’s rights with over 2000 women attending this forum, organised by the Association for Women’s Rights and Development.

Connecting gender, agriculture and the information society: GenARDIS kick-off workshop

analia — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:19:56 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (AL for GenARDIS) -

Seven women and thirteen men from Anglophone and Francophone Africa and the Caribbean met during the last days of September in Gorée Island, Senegal. They have many things in common, but one in particular is their ability to make innovative connections in gender, agriculture and information and communication technologies (ICTs). This ability has led them to be finalists of the Gender, Agricultural and Rural Development in the Information Society (GenARDIS) small grants fund.

Jinbonet: Ten years of commitment, courage and innovation

LisaC — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:38:50 +0000

JOHANNESBURG (AE for APC) -

Congratulations to APC member Jinbonet of Korea, who will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on November 14th. As innovators of ICT for social justice, Jinbonet has been a leader in its commitment to social rights, gender equality, use of free and open source software (FOSS), and has been an integral part of APC’s work in Asia and at large. APC has learnt so much from this truly dedicated and steadfast organisation, and will continue to do so.

Feminist mix with a tech fix: Huge tech exchange in South Africa begins

LisaC — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:14:01 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (LC for APCNews) -

How can feminists use technology to their advantage? On November 10, the first ever Feminist Tech eXchange (FTX) in Cape Town will bring together more than 100 activists from around the globe to address this type of question. Organized by the APC Women’s programme in the run up to the massive women’s movement forum AWID, the capacity-building and information-exchange event will explore various technologies such as video, audio, social networking platforms and other emerging ICT tools. The event will act as an open space to network, share knowledge, and learn new skills and strategies for how to make technology work best for the women’s movement.

Rural communication: Is there still a need for telecentres now that there are mobile phones?

LisaC — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:09:03 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (Ian Howard for APCNews) -

Following the initial rush of Information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) projects in rural Africa, many did not yield the anticipated outcomes, and interest has been dying down. People then began talking about “sustainable ICT” projects, in which it was understood that projects would become self-sufficient after their initial donor-led investment and set-up period. But with the use of mobile phones gaining in popularity, popular rhetoric has begun to question the need of ICTs beyond the mobiles phone. While mobile phones certainly have had a great impact in rural areas, a new study by Ian Howard, commissioned by APC, through the analysis of two case studies he argues that the need for telecentres and affordable internet connections exists, as such centres cater to rural and niche markets the way larger companies cannot.

Tips for setting up wireless internet where there are few resources

LisaC — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:28:01 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (KAH for APCNews) -

“The principles that I learned in the APC workshop helped me work in resource-constrained environments,” says Alex Gondwe, techie at the Baobab Health Partnership in Malawi. Alex is setting up wireless internet connections between health institutions to improve patient care and HIV/AIDS data collection and he shares his tips here.

Andean schoolchildren and indigenous communities go online thanks to innovative training

LisaC — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:00:00 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (KAH and KN for APCNews) -

Last year APC and partners trained local technicians, community leaders and telecentre operators from the Andes on the basic principles of setting up wireless internet access in their communities. Now the participants report on the impact once they went back home.

The E2: A green computer for everyone

LisaC — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:32:44 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (LC for APCNews) -

Non-profit internet provider GreenNet has recently released a new ultra-low power computer. The tiny computer can run on a car battery for hours and uses a maximum of nine watts of electricity. Sustainable in almost every way – from its fabrication, to its distribution and consumption – the E2 also comes fully equipped with free and open source operating systems. APCNews interviewed Sharif Fanselow of GreenNet to find out more about this revolutionary computer.

Why APC continues to obsess over “internet access”

LisaC — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:00:00 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (APC for APCNews) -

According to March 2008 statistics only 3.6% of internet users in the world were from Africa. Asia contributed to 37.6% of internet users globally, but this percentage is inflated by large numbers of users from China. The number of fixed lines has not increased significantly, and in some cases has even shrunk. And, in addition to this, a new divide is emerging: the broadband (or “high speed internet”) divide. In Manaus, deep in the Amazon jungle, “broadband” is available but at a cost. There, a 200Kbps connection (hardly considered speedy in better connected parts of the world) costs about $100 USD a month.

APC is developing a “pro-poor” internet access kit

LisaC — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:00:00 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (APC for APCNews) -

Business people, community activists and policy-makers have an interest in as many people as possible –including people in the lowest income-brackets- having access to the internet, being able to check out important information on websites and communicate cheaply via email or internet phone.
In order to reduce poverty and foster inclusive development through affordable access to the internet, APC is working on a resource kit for realising a universal access agenda, present promising options, experiences, lessons and opportunities in pro-poor access provision in developing societies.

Freedom Not Fear

LisaC — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:24:27 +0000

MONTEVIDEO (LC for APCNews) -

On October 11 2008, internet privacy advocates will be meeting in over twenty of Europe’s major cities and capitals in the Americas to launch the Freedom Not Fear campaign, which protests mass-surveillance and mass data retention that many governments world-wide are undertaking. Together, they will promote democracy, free speech and human rights, and raise awareness on this issue through protests, art displays, flash mobs and parties. This event takes place shortly after the data retention meeting in Budapest on September 19 2008, where APC members Green Spider and BlueLink were among the policy experts, academics and activists that met to discuss the new European data retention policy that will take effect in January 2009.

India to host the first ever Info-Activism Camp

LisaC — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:00:53 +0000

(Tactical Tech for Tactical Tech) -

APC partner Tactical Tech, an international NGO that helps activists use information and ICTs to increase their impact, are currently accepting applications for the first international camp on info-activism. The Info-Activism Camp, a seven-day event will take place from February 19 – 25 2009 in Bangalore India. As the first meet-up of this type, participants will learn and share advocacy techniques using ICTs through workshops, group discussions, interactive sessions and live demos.

The case for “open access” in Africa: Mauritius case study

LisaC — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:36:46 +0000

LONDON (Russell Southwood for APC) -

As other African countries along the SAT-3 submarine internet cable struggle with the high costs of monopolised international bandwidth, Mauritius has encouraged a lowering of prices through price-setting. But Mauritius Telecom had lowered its rates even before the government scale came into effect. The Cyber Island has seen a significant increase in its call centre and outsourcing sectors. Can Mauritius provide lessons to countries that are looking to boost their economies? This study written by Russell Southwood for APC in May, and now available for the first time in French and Portuguese, examines the relationship between international bandwidth prices in Mauritius and the impact of its Cyber Island strategy.

Why African governments need to listen to the case for "open access" to international communications infrastructure

LisaC — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:22:28 +0000

SAXONWOLD (Lisa Thornton for APCNews) -

Africa faces two serious challenges regarding internet connectivity – high prices and unreliable connections. The SAT-3/WASC cable, a submarine cable that runs from Portugal to South Africa, has the potential to help alleviate some of the connectivity challenges however, a study released by the APC in May 2008 and now in French and Portuguese written by Abiodun Jagun, reveals that the cable remains largely under-utilised. APCNews talks to Abi Jagun about her findings.

New vision for computing in Africa: APC member Computer Aid featured in the BBC

LisaC — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:26:13 +0000

LONDON (Computer Aid) -

APC member Computer Aid has recently caught the BBC’s attention with its adaptive technologies in Kenya. The BBC’s Click covered Computer Aid’s new focus on making computers and their programmes available to everyone, including people who cannot see. You can read a the full BBC article, which examines how Computer Aid is helping Kenyans change their lives, and the challenges involved.