|
JOHANNESBURG
(Alan Finlay for APCNews) - How do we ensure access to the internet is
a human right enjoyed by everyone? This is one of the critical
questions asked by an annual publication that highlights the importance
of people’s access to information and communications technology (ICT)
infrastructure – and where and how countries are getting it right or
wrong, and what can be done about it. Global Information Society Watch
2008, published in print and online by the Association for Progressive
Communications (APC), the Third World Institute, and Dutch development
organisation Hivos, collects the perspectives of ICT academics,
analysts, activists and civil society organisations from across the
globe in over 50 reports. More >>
MONTEVIDEO
(Willie Currie for GISWatch) 2008 was a year in which there was much
focus on the issue of universal access to information and
communications technologies (ICTs) and the internet. Many global
institutions focused on access, resulting in a multitude of different
initiatives. Particular attention was given to mobiles phones as the
ideal technology for reducing the digital divide; however a new access
gap is now emerging with respect to broadband internet infrastructure
and services and access to fibre remains a problem for many developing
countries and plays a critical role in their development. More >>
MONTEVIDEO
(Peter Lange for GISWatch) - Although the term was coined already in
the early 2000s and the concept goes back much further, the discussion
about “network neutrality”, or net neutrality, has intensified in the
past few years, with a particular focus on the internet. Activists
warning of a doomsday when the internet as we know it will “die” are
dismissed as conspiracy theorists by the CEOs of some of the biggest
telecommunications companies in the world. However, industry regulators
and governments are working to create legislation that would regulate
net neutrality, and the issue was also a topic in the 2008 presidential
elections in the United States (US). More >>
APC at the Internet Governance Forum
MONTEVIDEO
(LC and AE for APC) - Following the IGF, APC has taken some time to
reflect on its involvement at the IGF, improvements and problematic
areas of the event in general, and areas APC should work on for future
events.
More >>
HYDERABAD
(Anupama Saxena for APCNews) - “I am leaving Hyderabad tomorrow with a
longer list of friends, but I know that philosophy of connecting people
goes far beyond having the added names in the list. It has a deeper
philosophy: connecting people for bringing changes into their lives.”
The APC Women’s networks support programme (WNSP) sponsored Dr. Anupama
Saxena to attend this year’s Internet Governance Forum in Hyderabad
India. Throughout the event, she wrote about her thoughts on
this
global meeting and process from the perspective of a woman researcher
from a small project in India. She now shares her thoughts and personal
experience at the IGF. More >>
APC members at the IGF opening panel
MONTEVIDEO
(LC for APCNews) – This year’s inaugural panel discussion at the
Internet Governance Forum featured speeches by two APC
members.
Graciela Selaimen of RITS focused on the importance of an open and
inclusive internet for all, while Alice Munyua of KICTANeT brought her
insight on the recently-held East African Internet Governance Forum
(EAIGF).
APC
member RITS at the IGF opening panel: focus on an open and inclusive
internet
APC
member KICTANeT at the IGF: bringing East African perspectives
APC will be closing for the holidays. The
next edition of APCNews will be out at the end of January.
Your subscription
This newsletter is also available in plain text
format
If you wish to see the text version of this
newsletter, you need to unsubscribe here
and then subscribe again here.
|
