Inside the digital society
David Souter writes a weekly column for APC, looking at different aspects of the information society, development and rights. David’s pieces take a fresh look at many of the issues that concern APC and its members, with the aim of provoking discussion and debate. Issues covered include internet governance and sustainable development, human rights and the environment, policy, practice and the use of ICTs by individuals and communities.
And what do we think the internet is made from, anyway? It is technology or is it people? Is it data moving through the ether (between bits of kit and data centres) or is it those who generate and use the data?
When people talk about the digital society, what’s their priority?
This week’s blog, the first of 2021, is a keynote presentation to the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)’s review of progress towards the Information Society since the World Summit (WSIS) of 2003/2005. It reviews last year and looks forward to recovery.
The last blog post of the year. Last week I reflected on the (digital) year gone by; this week some thoughts – and hopes – for the (digital) year to come.
We’re nearing the end of a year that has uprooted lives and livelihoods around the world. One that’s seen a global health crisis bring economic recession and set back progress towards achieving the SDGs. A year that’s marked another stage in the emergence of a digital society.
How do we get to the ‘people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society’ promised at the World Summit in 2003? What lessons can we learn from the experience of One Laptop Per Child?
The global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) begins its fifteenth outing this week – but it’s an IGF the like we haven’t previously seen. Thanks to COVID-19, it’s online and it’s spread over two weeks.
Some thoughts on what could, should and might happen to the Internet Governance Forum.
“In the last quarter of a century the internet has changed the world. New digital technologies are accelerating change and will transform the future.” That’s received wisdom in the digital community – and business and politics as well.
Digital technology has potential to improve energy efficiency, which could contribute to a lower carbon future, but it’s also the fastest growing source of energy consumption (and so carbon emissions in the world today) – as well as one of the fastest growing sources of pollution.
Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2022
Unless otherwise stated, content on the APC website is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)