This special edition GISWatch, produced with IT for Change and WACC, considers the importance of WSIS as an inclusive policy and governance mechanism, and what, from a civil society perspective, needs to change for it to meet the challenges of today and meaningfully shape our digital future.
This issue brings together instances that show the success of community networks, but also some indicating that currently there is a gap, and help from a range of stakeholders is needed in order to successfully support communities to bridge the digital divide.
APC member Open Net in South Korea recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. We interviewed them on this landmark occasion and how the organisation is reflecting on its decade of achievements to forge new paths ahead.
Report
From the digital inequality paradox to marginalisation through digitalisation: GISWatch 2024 Special Edition reportsThe following two reports from GISWatch 2024 Special Edition explore pathways for addressing the digital divide as well as the impacts of digitalisation when marginalised populations are overlooked in decision-making processes.
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Reclaiming a radically changed context: Introduction to GISWatch 2024 Special EditionTwenty years ago, stakeholders gathered in Geneva at the first World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Since the framework for cooperation was set out in the Geneva Plan of Action (2003), much has changed in the global digital context, while many recognised challenges still remain.
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The value of WSIS and the future of information societies: GISWatch 2024 Special Edition reportsThe following two reports, which are included in the GISWatch 2024 Special Edition, are thoughtful analyses on the vision and agenda set up at the WSIS summit twenty years ago, and reflections on its value and need in civil society advocacy as we move forward.
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Free, prior and informed consent: Accountability, environmental justice and the rights of Indigenous peoples in the information societyIn honour of Earth Day 2024, we are launching the first report from the GISWatch 2024 Special Edition: "Free, prior and informed consent: Accountability, environmental justice and the rights of Indigenous peoples in the information society".
Joint statement
Civil society organisations reject the criminalisation of the defence of digital rights and the misuse of the judicial system in the case of Ola Bini in Ecuador and demand respect for due process and human rightsThe undersigned organisations express our concern and firm rejection of the multiple irregularities, illegalities and violations of due process observed in the case of Ola Bini, a programmer and human rights defender recently sentenced to a year in prison in Ecuador.
Joint statement
Joint statement: Finding the good in the first UN General Assembly resolution on artificial intelligenceStakeholders far from UN grounds benefit when states clarify their position on new and emerging technologies and how international law, including international human rights law, and sustainable development commitments apply to fields like artificial intelligence.
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AI to advance gender equality: Challenges and opportunitiesThis statement was delivered by Karla Velasco Ramos, the APC Women’s Rights Programme policy advocacy coordinator, at the interactive dialogue on artificial intelligence to advance gender equality” during the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68).
Online digest
Southern Africa Digital Rights Issue Number 3: SADC's Rocky Path - The challenges of biometric and digital identity systemsThis issue of Digital Rights Southern Africa makes clear that there is no or slow commensurate roll-out of measures to ensure that biometric data collection and processing systems are secure and to the actual benefit of the societies in which they are being implemented.
Our Women's Rights Programme's policy advocacy coordinator presents highlights of APC's multi-faceted participation and advocacy at the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) event this year, centred on promoting and sharing our work on human rights, specifically the rights of women and people of diverse genders and sexualities.
Community networks in Africa stand as beacons of innovation and resilience. Through a series of four webinars, Tanda Community Network along with APC and and Rhizomatica's LocNet initiative helped with capacity building and explored such networks' challenges, triumphs and how to support them in bridging the digital divide.
APC and Noor co-organised a discussion with six Palestinian feminist activists, researchers, academics and content creators to discuss how Israel weaponises gendered disinformation and atrocities propaganda to continue its genocide in Palestine.
Columns
In this weekly column, longstanding associate of APC David Souter looks at different aspects of the digital society. Issues covered include internet governance and sustainable development, human rights and the environment, policy, practice and the use of ICTs.
How are APC members improving their communities' lives? In this section we're highlighting stories of impact and change by our members, supported by APC sub-granting.
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