The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process continues and two issues on which governments were unable to reach consensus during the first phase in 2003- ‘internet governance’ and ‘financing mechanisms’- are under the microscope. Last month saw the first open consultation on the ‘working group on internet governance’. APC briefs you on the discussions taking place.

Online security and privacy should be of concern to anyone who uses the internet. But for journalists and human rights organisations operating under repressive political conditions or in situations of conflict, online security can become a matter of life or death. The challenge is to gather, protect and disseminate information in a way that minimises risk to activists. APC is offering workshops on "Secure Computing and Online Communications", most recently at Highway Africa, the world’s largest conference for African journalists.

Report from an awareness-raising workshop held in Rosario, Argentina to introduce local social activists to GEM – the APC’s gender evaluation methodology tool for ICT initiatives.

Willie Currie joined APC as our policy programme manager in early September. Currently based in New York, from 1999-2002 Willie was a councillor with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (SATRA).

In the mid ‘90s, he co-ordinated the telecommunications policy process that led to South Africa’s first post-Apartheid telecommunications policy document. Prior to this, as general secretary of the Film and Allied Workers Organisation, Willie was involved in the development of broadcasting policy during the transition to democracy in South Africa and a public campaign to ‘free the airwaves’. APCNews talked to Willie about his new role.

South Asia has 23% of the world’s population but less than 1% of the internet users. Bytes for All a Southern Asian network promoting ICT for development has just become APC’s newest member. Bytes for All is active throughout South Asia with volunteers from numerous countries including India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

A workshop held in Manila focused on pressing communication rights issues in the Asian region including attacks on freedom of expression and independent media. Activists issued a statement in support of a Thai colleague present who returned home to face a million-dollar lawsuit for speaking out in the press against government corruption.

Following the successful World Forum on Communications Rights held in Geneva in December, communications activists including the APC aim to bring together those working at different levels on communication rights – from grass roots activists working on practical projects and street level campaigns, to those engaged in lobbying and advocacy, to researchers and academics for a European Forum on Communication Rights on October 14 in London.

Highway Africa is the world’s largest conference for African journalists. This year’s three-day meeting called "Media making the information society" is attended by more than 350 people. The information and communication technology (ICT) focus will provide a platform for journalists to learn and report on information society issues. APC is running workshops on secure online communication workshops and ICT policy. Read news coming out of Highway Africa by visiting the site and clicking on the news box on the left.

APC members ALIN-EA and Computer Aid have come together in order to extend low cost PCs to not-for-profit community development groups working in the rural dry lands across East Africa.

The partnership has already shipped 450 fully refurbished Pentium II and Pentium III computers to Nairobi for distribution by ALIN-EA to its member organisations and to wider civil society structures. The intention of the partnership is to be able to provide literally thousands of quality refurbished PCs at the lowest cost possible backed up by a first class technical support service and one year guarantee.

Bulgarian environmental organisations have formed a coalition protesting the planned construction of a second nuclear power plant in Bulgaria. “The government has already announced that the decision for constructing the plant is made despite the fact that the public hearings and an environmental impact assessment have not been finished,” says a representative of the coalition coordinator, APC member, BlueLink. “We ask governments and civil society groups to contact the Bulgarian government questioning the project.” Campaign volunteers can write to beleNE@bluelink.net or visit the campaign site.