News: ICT for development
Spectrum use in Latin America: relevant aspects, conclusions and recommendations
APC’s “open spectrum” initiative aims to provide an understanding of spectrum regulation by examining the situation in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In this synthesis, the project’s consultant Carlos Afonso brings together the most important aspects of the studies in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.
CSISAC Job Opening: Community Manager and Liaison to OECD
The Civil Society Information Society Advisory Committee Liaison (CSISAC) is seeking a community manager and liaison to act as a point of contact with the OECD’s OECD’s Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy (ICCP). The position is half time on a one-year contract. Candidates should be available to begin in February 2012, and should be based in Europe, ideally Paris. The deadline for applications is December 31.
Computer Aid seeks new Chief executive officer
APC member Computer Aid international is currently seeking a new Chief executive officer (CEO). The candidate must have previous experience in international development, and ideally information and communication technology for development. Find out more about how to apply. Deadline for applications is Tuesday, December 6 2011.
Rural realities, real solutions: ICT4D conference in Johannesburg
The 7th edition of APC member SANGONeT’s ICT4RD 2011 confronts the realities of rural development and explores the innovative use of ICTs to catalyse the growth of ICT4RD solutions for scale from November 1-3.
Turkey abandons unpopular filtering software
Turkey abandons plans to install mandatory filtering software after months of widespread protest. The reversal of this controversial policy shows the power of determined advocacy.
London Riots: Social media does not cause social problems say APC and GreenNet
Following last week’s riots, British PM David Cameron said that his government is considering a crackdown on online communications. However he forgets that the same websites and phone networks were also used to locate friends and plan safe exits from trouble-spots. APC and GreenNet issue a statement.
Sexuality 2.0: Online socialising and internet regulation
Experts from Brazil, India, South Africa and the USA will be presenting APC’s groundbreaking EroTICs research in Madrid at the VIII International Association for the Study of Sexuality, Culture and Society Conference on July 9.
Out of the shadows: Filipino youth survivors of violence transform the personal into the digital
The narrator of The Shape of My Youth recalls how two years previously, a relative sold her for US$ 23. She was just 12. But this and other digital stories produced by a group of young Filipinos are not just stories of betrayal – they are also stories of hope.
GenARDIS grantee wins Africa Rural Connect contest
In 2008-2009, Ugandan organisation Toro Development Network (ToroDev) was awarded a small grant through the APC’s Gender and agriculture and rural development in the information society (GenARIDS) project. No more than a year later, the grass roots organisation has been awarded $12, 000 through the Africa Rural Connect contest, to continue its work in helping small-scale rural farmers – many of which are women – learn to use technologies such as mobile phones, radios and computers.
Blackout against internet censorship in Hungary
On 1 January 2011, a new law came into effect, which now enables the ruling party to gain control of the internet through the creation of a powerful censorship authority. To show our concern for fundamental rights and free speech we will black out our online presence on the 5 January 2011 for 24 hours. We ask that everyone concerned about fundamental rights and free speech to black out its online presence on the 5th January 2011 for 24 hours. To show your outrage and solidarity with the Hungarian media please include this HTML snippet into your site, which will automatically add a similar black splash screen as seen on this site.
New report asks, how environmentally-friendly is technology?
Computers are creating massive e-waste. The paper industry has had to double to meet printer demand. But smart technologies are bringing huge savings in energy consumption. As the UN conference on climate change starts in Cancun, the new Global Information Society Watch from APC and Hivos looks at ICTs and environmental sustainability in 53 countries, six regions and through ten expert thematic reports. What is the state of the industry in your country? Find out.
Could you be a cyber-terrorist? Avoid becoming “collateral damage”
Daniel is a photographer who lives in Europe. He works for a magazine and has recently travelled to Pakistan and the United States to illustrate an article about the architecture of mosques. When he gets home he is arrested – because his internet profile matches that of a cyber terrorist. How could it happen? And could it happen to you?
Small tech grants, big differences for rural women
Women in rural areas play a central role in the agricultural economy of their region, which means that they often work long hours, leaving little time for learning how to use new technologies. Yet, access to new technologies affect both men and women in remote areas. In a new publication, GenARDIS 2002 – 2010: Small grants that made big changes for women in agriculture Jenny Radloff explores how seed grants that were disbursed to innovative initiatives counter these barriers and contribute to gender-aware ICT policy advocacy. Photo by Mekelle University
Gender, agriculture and ICTs: What you can do with 7000 euros
In Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo, women’s cassava root crops were being destroyed by pests but thanks to some internet training, they increased their healthy crop production and agricultural knowledge. In the Dominican Republic, women from an agro-processing cooperative learned to better manage their production thanks to an ICT training -many of them were 50 years old or more, which is “old” and “good for nothing” by rural Dominican standards. Find out more about what GenARDIS projects were able to achieve with small grants of about 7000 euros. Photo by Fundación Taïguey
Seven policy tips to ensure rural women equal access to ICTs
Illiteracy, lack of electricity and poor infrastructure are just some of the challenges that are preventing rural women from benefiting from ICTs. But these gender-related challenges are often overlooked by policy makers, and policies that are developed that don’t consider the specific context of rural men and women are more likely to fail, as they will not meet the needs of everyone equally. This is why the inclusion of gender must be considered in the policy process. What exactly can local and national policy makers do in order to address some of these issues? Policy analyst Sonia Jorge gives some insights. Photo by ARDA
Progressive techies declare their rights - and responsibilities
At the United States Social Forum on June 24 fifty politically progressive technologists came together for the first US Progressive Techie Congress. The Congress emerged with a statement applauded by other socially-responsible networks like the APC as “a great set of principles”.
Opening up e-government in Romania
Activists advocate for “the real deal” in climate change policy during the 2009 UN Copenhagen conference using a site developed by StrawberryNet. Photo: GreendexRozi Bako reports that after researching the state of access to online information for extending democracy in Romania “we are now advocating for open e-government”. Bako of the StrawberryNet Foundation found that technology in Romania is far more advanced than information dissemination practices, and that if Romania is to become a transparent, participatory society, government initiatives and a business community drive have to be backed up by opinion-makers and citizen action groups.
Nobel Peace Prize for “the internet”?
Google has launched a world-wide campaign on how the internet can be used for peace in support of the worldwide network’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 on the basis that “the Internet is a powerful tool that promotes freedom of expression, while fostering the global spread of democracy”. Support the nomination by selecting your country and adding your name to the list of supporters, or take part on the debate as to whether the prestigious Nobel Prize should to go the internet and its users or not. APC is a campaign affiliate.
Producing social justice video in Asia? Take the EngageMedia strategic planning survey
EngageMedia has been working hard over the past five years to establish itself as “a leading distribution platform of social justice videos from the Asia-Pacific Region.” Come share with EngageMedia before 6 August what you think of their services and give suggestions on what you think they do best, what they should do more of, and help them create their strategic plan for the next few years.
Revolutionary blogfarm for Hungarian activists
APC member in Budapest, Green Spider, is challenging Facebook and YouTube by offering a home-grown Web 2.0 suite for Hungarian activists. “In the face of the overwhelming monoculture of corporate social networking tools, the service has taken off amongst grassroots activists, community organisers and charities in the Hungarian social and environmental movement,” says Green Spider.
