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Digital Rights Asia Pacific Assembly (DRAPAC23) Statement of Solidarity
Digital Rights Asia Pacific Assembly (DRAPAC23) Statement of Solidarity 29 June 2023 Various

The statement, signed by over 100 organisations and individuals, was jointly developed during the DRAPAC23 Assembly convened by EngageMedia and held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 22 to 26 May 2023. It highlights the increasing threats to digital rights in the region.

Communities of practice in community networks: Exchanging knowledge on the Pirania captive portal
Communities of practice in community networks: Exchanging knowledge on the Pirania captive portal 29 May 2023 Natália Lobo

This piece recounts the joint discussions and learning shared among three community networks in the state of São Paulo in Brazil, revolving around the installation and use of the Pirania captive portal, an open source application that works as an internet access control tool.

APC resource kit: Preparing for RightsCon 2023
APC resource kit: Preparing for RightsCon 2023 24 May 2023 Gaurav Jain

This year's RightsCon will be held from 5-8 June in Costa Rica and online, where APC will focus on the themes of gender and sexuality, climate and environmental justice and gender-responsive cybersecurity. Here is our resource kit of knowledge, research and recommended readings to help us all prepare to engage with each other at this event.

Community networks newsletter: New podcast traces community connectivity around the world
Community networks newsletter: New podcast traces community connectivity around the world 24 May 2023 APCNews

We are happy to announce the launch of the Routing for Communities podcast on 1 June. With 12 episodes, this podcast will be a journey to listen to the life stories of those connecting themselves while defending the fundamental rights and well-being of their communities.

Failure and Promise: Anecdotes from the field on updating Universal Service Funds policies
Failure and Promise: Anecdotes from the field on updating Universal Service Funds policies 23 May 2023 Senka Hadzic and Jane Coffin

Many governments have established funds dedicated to expanding connectivity to underserved communities, so-called Universal Service Funds (USFs) or Universal Service and Access Funds (USAFs).  The purpose of the paper is to examine advocacy efforts led by civil society in selected countries that have led to systemic changes in local policies and regulations, with a specific focus on the us...

Rural digital transformation in Sekgosese: Overcoming connectivity challenges and developing digital skills
Rural digital transformation in Sekgosese: Overcoming connectivity challenges and developing digital skills 10 May 2023 Neo Magoro

Drawing on the lessons and experiences from the Mamaila Community Network, traditional leaders, local entrepreneurs, community members and academics discussed the role of community networks as complementary solutions to commercial internet service providers in bridging the digital divide in underserved areas such as Sekgosese (South Africa). 

Capacity building as a sustainability strategy for community networks
Capacity building as a sustainability strategy for community networks 09 May 2023 Josephine Miliza

Capacity building is critical to the sustainability of a community network for several reasons. Discover some of them in this piece written by Josephine Miliza for APC member organisation KICTANet.

Interview with Julián Casasbuenas: “Presenting at spaces like the GDC will help change minds that commercial telcos will connect all of humanity”
Interview with Julián Casasbuenas: “Presenting at spaces like the GDC will help change minds that commercial telcos will connect all of humanity” 27 April 2023 Maja Romano

Colombia-based APC member Colnodo presented a statement at the Global Digital Compact thematic deep dive event on digital inclusion and connectivity. We spoke with Julián Casasbuenas about their experiences with community networks and civil society participation in the GDC process.

Community networks newsletter: Building collective knowledge together
Community networks newsletter: Building collective knowledge together 27 April 2023 APCNews

In this edition, we celebrate the people and initiatives building collective knowledge together, such as the Community Network Seedbeds taking place in Argentina, and a series of manuals created from the collaboration among community network practitioners in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

APC statement to the Global Digital Compact Thematic Deep-Dive session on digital inclusion and connectivity
APC statement to the Global Digital Compact Thematic Deep-Dive session on digital inclusion and connectivity 25 April 2023 APC

In its statement, APC highlighted inclusive participation of communities in policy making, consideration of alternative solutions to connectivity that prioritise local and community-led responses, and a multistakeholder approach with differentiated roles and responsibilities.

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