Argentina
The Universal Service Fund – created precisely to subsidise the promotion of universal access to telecommunications services – should include community-led models, as recommended by ITU on several occasions, and advancing in countries such as Argentina, Malawi and Kenya.
In part two of this special series, we spoke with Florencia Roveri at our Argentina-based member Nodo TAU. From supporting youth with future e-waste projects to exploring the challenges to electronic waste treatment, Nodo TAU has been advocating for better ICT recycling practices in the community.
A diverse range of people with different backgrounds are building community networks in many countries in the LAC region. They are demonstrating that community networks can be a process in which technologies, communications and access are moulded to meet local realities, dreams and needs.
How are APC members improving their communities' lives? In Argentina, Nodo TAU has made meaningful contributions to environmental sustainability movements by giving local communities access to e-waste recycling.
In a partnership with APC and Rhizomatica's LocNet initiative, 48percent.org is supporting five organisations, in Argentina, India, Mexico, Nigeria and Uganda, in their efforts to strengthen community networks and respond to the challenges in the face of COVID-19.
As a part of the ITU's pandemic response, the platform REG4COVID was launched, providing a space for regulators and civil society to share their own initiatives. APC asked their community network partners to contribute to the platform, given the general absence of civil society input.
Nodo TAU coordinated a series of communication workshops on digital skills for local organisations working on human rights, children's issues, labour and health rights, gender, social economy and Indigenous communities, among others.
APCNews spoke with Damián Loreti, a new APC individual member and one of the leading experts on freedom of expression in Latin America, on the progress and setbacks in this area in Argentina and the rest of the region.
Damián Loreti is a lawyer and academic specializing in freedom of expression, access to information and media law.
APC’s subgranting programme, now in its third year, has so far awarded a total of USD 291,534 to support its members in achieving APC’s vision. Sixteen member organisations have been recipients of 17 grants. The call for campaign and research grants is still open.
Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2022
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