Internet Society (ISOC)

The Internet Society is a global cause-driven organisation with offices around the world, governed by a diverse Board of Trustees that is dedicated to ensuring that the internet stays open, transparent and defined by users. While the Internet Society is not a membership-driven organisation, it has a growing number of members and chapters that have chosen to join the Internet Society to share its mission and to promote the open development, evolution and use of the internet for the benefit of all people throughout the world. In 2012, ISOC provided APC with travel funds to support the participation of African civil society in the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT). In 2013 and 2016 ISOC supported the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG).

What's new on the spectrum? “Let's make sure we can use it for what is needed”: A conversation with Peter Bloom from Rhizomatica
What's new on the spectrum? “Let's make sure we can use it for what is needed”: A conversation with Peter Bloom from Rhizomatica 14 November 2018 APCNews

Peter Bloom highlights trends in spectrum regulation, the importance of empowering communities to govern their own telecommunications, and the need to see spectrum as “a potential to communicate over the airwaves” rather than a commodity to be owned. 

Launch of the 2018 edition of GISWatch on community networks at the IGF
Launch of the 2018 edition of GISWatch on community networks at the IGF 08 November 2018

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be the venue where APC launches the new edition of its annual publication Global Information Society Watch. This year, the theme of the report is community networks. Join us for a conversation with the authors on 13 November from 13:30 to 15:00!

What's new on the spectrum? "Regulation cannot be static: Flexibility is required to accompany technological advances" - A conversation with Carlos Afonso from Nupef
What's new on the spectrum? "Regulation cannot be static: Flexibility is required to accompany technological advances" - A conversation with Carlos Afonso from Nupef 07 November 2018

Like other common goods, spectrum has historically been subject to gradual curtailment and private ownership. There are opportunities to change this scenario, which will depend on a new understanding of what the spectrum is and how to use it, as well as participation by civil society in debates. 

Community Networks and Local Access Monthly Newsletter - Number 10
Community Networks and Local Access Monthly Newsletter - Number 10 28 September 2018 APCNews

Welcome to the tenth monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks.

Women's digital inclusion: Background paper for the G20
Women's digital inclusion: Background paper for the G20 27 September 2018 Anri van der Spuy and David Souter

This briefing, jointly published by the Internet Society and APC, outlines ways in which policy makers can facilitate the internet’s positive potential through an enabling framework for women’s digital inclusion.

Who can still doubt the capacity of community networks to provide universal access?
Who can still doubt the capacity of community networks to provide universal access? 11 September 2018 APCNews

The Third Summit on Community Networks in Africa took place on 2-7 September 2018 in Eastern Cape, South Africa, with the aim of promoting the creation and growth of community networks on the continent.

Third Summit on Community Networks in Africa to take place in Eastern Cape
Third Summit on Community Networks in Africa to take place in Eastern Cape 01 September 2018 APCNews

The summit, which aims to increase collaboration between community network operators in the region and provide opportunities for engagement with other stakeholders, shows that there is a sustained and growing interest in this area.

Community Networks and Local Access Monthly Newsletter - Number 9
Community Networks and Local Access Monthly Newsletter - Number 9 30 August 2018

Welcome to the ninth monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks.

Community networks and the art of the tightrope walker: Challenges, achievements and experiences that go beyond access
Community networks and the art of the tightrope walker: Challenges, achievements and experiences that go beyond access 06 August 2018 APCNews

During the second day of the Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Internet Governance Forum in Buenos Aires, Valeria Betancourt moderated a panel of experts dealing with the theme of "Challenges, achievements and experiences of community network management in Latin America."

Gender and community networks: Building a movement around community networks and gender equality
Gender and community networks: Building a movement around community networks and gender equality 02 August 2018 Nic Bidwell and Kathleen Diga

The community networks ecosystem is predominantly occupied by men. Due to the lack of gender diversity and parity, we lack the valuable perspectives of women in these debates, and the lack of visibility of female role models creates a barrier for others to become active in these spaces.

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