Internet governance
APC's reflections on the Fifth Internet Governance Forum
On September 17 the fifth Internet Governance Forum (IGF) came to an end in Vilnius, Lithuania. The five-year UN-run annual event is a uniquely experimental and influential space on the road to guaranteeing open, universal and affordable internet and ICT access to all. However the continuity of the IGF is uncertain. Download and read our analysis of the most recent forum.
APC's conclusions on the fifth Internet Governance Forum – and recommendations for the future
On September 17 the fifth Internet Governance Forum (IGF) came to an end in Vilnius, Lithuania. The five-year UN-run annual event is a uniquely experimental and influential space on the road to guaranteeing open, universal and affordable internet and ICT access to all. However the continuity of the IGF is uncertain. Download and read our analysis of the most recent forum.
APC's submission to the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group questionnaire
The Internet Governance Forum’s Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) is a group of governments, private sector and civil society representatives, among which there are APC staff and members. This is APC’s submission to a questionnaire that the MAG distributed as a follow up to its May meeting.
Blogging to tell it like it is: The IGF from a personal perspective
An unlikely, but real conversation that took place between a .xxx domain representative (which is exclusively for pornographic sites) and a feminist; the consequences of having a .gay domain; and thoughts about privacy on the internet from a victim of violence. These are some of the topics you can read about in the GenderIT.org blog from the APC team, that was blogging from the fifth Internet Governance Forum, the UN international arena to debate the internet.
A code to encourage citizen participation in how the internet is run
How can we get more citizens to participate more actively in the complex process of how the internet is run? While having accessible information about it is important, it is not enough. The institutions that work in internet governance must ensure that the information is accessible in a language and format that for those who are not specialists in the subject. APC and partners are developing a code of good practice to establish minimum standards to ensure transparency and information where internet governance is concerned. Photo by “Nirbaho”:http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirbhao/3378286018/sizes/m/
Gender in the IGF agenda
The “missing paragraph” of the IGF clauseIn a workshop organised by the APC’s women’s programme during this year’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF), one of the panellists took off his tie as he began to speak. As an unmistakeable element of IGF culture, the suits worn by government and corporate representatives are a subtle reflection of scant will to discuss issues that affect women from their perspective. The presence of young women activists in this year’s IGF from India, South Africa, Brazil and the Congo, tweeting and blogging with humour and enthusiasm about issues like security, freedom of speech, pornography, social rights and other IG issues presented at the forum, were a stark contrast to the presence of so many suit-clad, middle-aged men. Photo by
Impact 2.0: New mechanisms for linking research and policy - Technical Guidelines
This guide was developed by The Association for Progressive Communications APC for the project Impact 2.0 – New mechanisms for linking research and policy. The development was supported by Fundación Comunica2. The guide is aimed towards providing the national focal points in Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador with guidelines for how Web 2.0 tools can be used to facilitate participatory policy making process.
The main issues that the guide addresses are:
- How researchers can effectively and strategically use new information and communication technologies (ICTs), specifically Web 2.0 tools, to publish and publicise their research processes and findings so that they can reach policy makers and activists.
- How researchers can use Web 2.0 tools to establish links with policy makers and other stakeholders involved in their issues.
- How researchers can use Web 2.0 tools to encourage discussion and / or debate on issues based on their research findings.
The document is available in hybrid pdf format – you can view it in pdf viewer or open and edit in OpenOffice if you have this OpenOffice plug-in installed (one click install after clicking on “Get It!”).
Internet governance issues on sexuality and women's rights
In preparation for the 2010 IGF, this briefing document highlights key issues on internet regulation that are relevant for gender equality and sexuality. It also brings to the debate findings from various research initiatives undertaken by APC and key partners, including a cross-country research initiative – EROTICS – that is being conducted in five countries: Brazil, India, Lebanon, South Africa and the United States.
Code of good practice on information, participation and transparency in Internet governance
Human Rights at the IGF - the universality of rights on the Internet
After a week in Vilnius of listening and learning, of discussing and understanding I am now trying to conclude my experience of the human rights related sessions and discussions.
The week started with a successful pre-event:
Internet governance and human rights: Strategies and collaboration for empowerment.
Successful in terms of over 60 participants from a wide variety of stakeholders a
