The acclaimed book from APC can now be browsed online. First published in soft-back in December 2003, the handbook is for people who want orientation about information and communications technology (ICT) and internet policies, who want to understand how the internet and markets work, the background on policy and regulation, and what’s at stake for ordinary citizens.

Soul Beat Africa is looking for information about how individuals and organisations are using communication for change and development in Africa. Soul Beat Africa is a collaboration between the Communication Initiative (CI), which shares similar information globally, and Soul City, a health communication organisation based in South Africa, and is being implemented by SANGONeT, APC member in South Africa.

SANGONeT is currently implementing a Central Case Management System (CCMS) for paralegals in South Africa. This project aims to develop a centrally accessible database system for paralegal organisations to capture and manage case records and related information, while enabling an online networking and discussion space for them to be informed of one another’s work, share experiences and support the advocacy work which they perform on behalf of the communities they serve.

An environmental portal that pools information from eight different environmental partners in the Balkans has become part of a United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) clearinghouse which showcases good practices. The UN initiative is expected to make implementation of the 1998 Aarhus Convention which aims at improving access to information and public participation in decision-making regarding environmental matters more effective.

"Letsati" is a Setswana word meaning sun. This new discussion forum series, offered by APC member SANGONeT, aims to demonstrate the practical benefits of technology to the South African non-profit sector.

This advocacy document produced by APC member in Senegal, ENDA, presents the major issues faced by African countries in relation to their inclusion in the information society, as perceived by women. It’s a tool for public, private and civil society stakeholders and decision-makers for integrating gender into ICT policies to contribute to a fair, plural and inclusive African information society. The foreword is written by APC.

A major change for APC programmes occurred in July. Karen Banks has moved over to become APC’s Networking and Advocacy Coordinator and her former role of manager of the APC women’s programme (APC WNSP) will be taken on by well-known Philippine gender and technology advocate, Chat Garcia Ramilo.

APC member, the Third World Institute (Instituto del Tercer Mundo, ITeM) has launched a research project intended to contribute to the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) decision-making process. Research will be focused on key issues of interest to developing countries. Based on the research, position and briefing papers will be produced to advise Southern negotiators and working groups on the policy implications of the different proposals they will be considering during the Summit process.

The SisBIM helps decision-makers in local governments make informed decisions regarding planning for development by providing a series of key indicators and essential geo-information. It also serves as a ‘sustainable development observatory’ where citizens can find basic development information and importantly hold government accountable. The system has been developed by APC member Colnodo and coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Development.

Until now, a native Cambodian has needed to be able to read in a foreign language to be able to send email in Cambodia. Software was not available in Khmer. But APC’s member organisation in Cambodia, the Open Forum, is changing that. The KhmerOS portal, set up earlier this year to bring together previously isolated developers is starting out by providing Khmer translations of well-known free applications such as the powerful e-mail application, Thunderbird. Thunderbird was ready for use after just two months – sixty days earlier than expected! The Open Forum has sent APC the report on their advances in the first half of 2004.