Global Partners Digital (GPD)

Global Partners Digital (GPD) is a social purpose company dedicated to fostering a digital environment underpinned by human rights and democratic values. They do this by making policy spaces and processes more open, inclusive and transparent, and by facilitating strategic, informed and coordinated engagement in these processes by public interest actors. In 2016, GPD supported APC for the implementation of the “Africa regional workshop, “The Internet as a Driver of Free Expression in Africa”.

APC at RightsCon 2018
APC at RightsCon 2018 11 May 2018 APCNews

More than 2,000 participants are expected at RightsCon 2018, which will explore pressing issues including innovation, free expression, gender diversity and digital inclusion, encryption and cybersecurity, and many other topics relevant to keeping the internet free, open and secure worldwide.

Joint civil society input to the revised zero draft of the second annual progress report of the OEWG 2021-2025
Joint civil society input to the revised zero draft of the second annual progress report of the OEWG 2021-2025 24 July 2023 Various

The input to the progress report of the UN Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of ICT in the context of international security (OEWG) makes recommendations to ensure implementation of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace in a human-centric and rights-respecting manner.

Online Safety Bill: Civil society organisations urge UK to protect global digital security and safeguard private communication
Online Safety Bill: Civil society organisations urge UK to protect global digital security and safeguard private communication 27 June 2023 Various

This open letter to the UK government from over 80 national and international civil society organisations, including APC, academics and cyberexperts raises concerns about the serious threat to the security of private and encrypted messaging posed by the Online Safety Bill.

Joint letter regarding civil society participation in the UN Global Digital Compact process
Joint letter regarding civil society participation in the UN Global Digital Compact process 26 May 2023 Various

In this joint letter to the co-facilitators of the Global Digital Compact process, namely Sweden and Rwanda's Permanent Representatives to the UN, APC and over 30 other civil society organisations urge them to ensure meaningful participation of civil society in the discussions.

Statement to the Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security 2021-2025
Statement to the Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security 2021-2025 09 December 2022 Association for Progressive Communications and Global Partners Digital

This joint statement from the Association for Progressive Communications and Global Partners Digital focuses on how states can raise awareness of the gender dimensions of security of and in the use of ICTs and promote gender-sensitive capacity building at the policy level.

International coalition calls for withdrawal of Draft Indian Telco Bill: Provisions threaten end-to-end encryption
International coalition calls for withdrawal of Draft Indian Telco Bill: Provisions threaten end-to-end encryption 27 October 2022 Various

APC and the other signatories of this open letter stress that India – as the world’s largest democracy, and second largest base of internet users – has an opportunity to draft an exemplary legislation that ensures the protection of human rights in the digital age.

Joint civil society statement on cyber peace and human security
Joint civil society statement on cyber peace and human security 17 October 2022 Various

The toll of unrestrained cyber operations on human security mounts daily and as such, discussions and decisions arising from the relevant UN processes need to address them more effectively. These efforts should be guided by human-centric and rights-based approaches.

AfriSIG 2022: Strengthening African capacity and participation in international cybersecurity
AfriSIG 2022: Strengthening African capacity and participation in international cybersecurity 06 May 2022 APCNews

The 10th edition of the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) will take place from 16 to 18 July and will focus on international cybersecurity. It will be held as a pre-event to the African Internet Governance Forum to be held in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Cybernorms: Do They Matter IRL (In Real Life)?
Cybernorms: Do They Matter IRL (In Real Life)? 21 March 2022 Veronica Ferrari (Association for Progressive Communications), Sheetal Kumar (Global Partners Digital), Enrico Calandro (Research ICT Africa) and Arindrajit Basu (the Centre for Internet and Society)

Although multilateral forums including the United Nations have made some progress in identifying norms, rules and principles to guide responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, applying agreed norms to "real life" throws up challenges of interpretation and enforcement.

International organisations call for withdrawal and reconsideration of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Regulation for Digital, Social Media and OTT Platforms
International organisations call for withdrawal and reconsideration of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Regulation for Digital, Social Media and OTT Platforms 07 March 2022 Various

APC and other organisations believe the draft regulations are inconsistent with the international human rights framework, imperil people’s freedom of expression and right to privacy, and could put journalists, dissidents, activists and vulnerable communities, in particular, at greater risk.

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