From khiggs at apc.org  Fri Apr  4 14:57:15 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] APC Statement: APC opposes actions again Al-Jazeera Website
Message-ID: <3E8D8F3B.E12EDE1@apc.org>

STATEMENT BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR PROGRESSIVE COMMUNICATIONS (APC)
OPPOSING ACTIONS AGAINST THE ONLINE PRESENCE OF MIDDLE EAST NEWS AGENCY,
AL-JAZEERA
4 April 2003

APC opposes actions against the online presence of Al-Jazeera. The
Internet must be allowed to freely perform its unique and vital role as
a promoter of "freedom of expression" and content diversity, especially
in times of conflict.  

APC opposes censorship on the Internet and states in its Internet Rights
Charter[1] that "the Internet must be protected from all attempts to
censor social and political debate". The Internet Rights Charter argues
that "the Internet is an ideal space for the recording and promotion of
culturally and politically diverse content".

This is consistent with Article 19 of the UN International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights[2]  which states that the right to freedom of
opinion and expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart
information is a recognised human right and must be protected.  

The Case of the Al-Jazeera Website:

APC is concerned to note that a prominent online Middle Eastern news and
information source - the Al-Jazeera website - has been the target of
hacker attacks, domain name hijacking and the withdrawal of hosting
services all within the first few weeks of the  war on Iraq led by the
United States.   

Called "an unusually independent voice in the Arab world" by the
Associated Press wire service, the Al-Jazeera satellite TV network
launched its English-language web site on Monday March 24, attracting
significant media coverage.  

However, instead of news articles from an Arab perspective, visitors to
the Al-Jazeera website on Thursday March 27 were greeted by the image of
the United States' flag and a message proclaiming "Let Freedom Ring".
The Al-Jazeera website address www.al-jazeera.net had been hijacked so
that visitors who attempted to read either the English or Arab language
sites were unable to do so as their browsers were automatically
"redirected" to the pro-U.S. page.  

Al-Jazeera has also had to contend with denial of service (DOS) attacks
from so-called "patriotic" hackers. These attacks artificially increase
the levels of visitor traffic to a site until the server hosting the
site cannot cope with the traffic any longer and crashes, knocking the
site offline.  

Al-Jazeera's US-based Internet service provider has also just cancelled
their contract with Al-Jazeera. It is understood that Al-Jazeera has
found a new provider in Europe, however in the meantime on April 2 (the
estimated date of the contract cancellation) the Al-Jazeera sites were
unreachable.  

The computer hacks, online vandalism and the canceling of Al-Jazeera's
web hosting contract all interfere with the UN declared right to
"receive and impart information and ideas through any media and
regardless of frontiers".

Diversifying our News and Information Sources:

The Internet is a valuable tool for the diversification of media
sources, especially for citizens of the countries that make up the
invading coalition forces.  

"One could watch the US television networks around the clock for a week
and not realise the extent of public opposition and disquiet [to the
war] 
 Why is the unease and disaffection of the American public so
invisible? The answer is that it's only invisible if you're looking for
it in the mainstream media. It's there all right - but it's on the net,"
wrote John Naughton of the British newspaper, the Observer[3].  

In the second week of the war, the most searched on word in various
search engines was "Al-Jazeera" and other variants. A considerable
number of subscribers have joined their English language news service
and North American readers in huge numbers are actively seeking outside
media sources on the war, according to a study by the Pew Internet and
American Life project[4].  

As online information and communication pioneers, APC and APC members -
groups which have facilitated the use of the Internet for social
justice, development and peace to civil society since the late 1980s -
believe that the Internet must be allowed to freely perform its unique
and vital role as a promoter of "freedom of expression" and a multiplier
and diversifier of information sources, especially in times of conflict. 

English Language Information Resources from the Arab-Speaking World:

Besides Al-Jazeera, there are several English-language news sites that
present an Arab perspective. Ra'ida Al-Zubi, member of the APC Women's
Networking Support Programme recommends Al-Hayat
(http://english.daralhayat.com), The Jordan Times (www.jordantimes.com)
and Lebanon's Daily Star (www.dailystar.com.lb). An Arabic-English
translation tool which translates web pages for a fee is considered the
best Arabic translation tool online
(http://tarjim.ajeeb.com/ajeeb/default.asp?lang=1).  

[1] http://rights.apc.org/charter.shtml#2
[2] http://www.hrweb.org/legal/cpr.html
[3] http://www.observer.co.uk/business/story/0,6903,925333,00.html
[4] http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/toc.asp?Report=87

=============================================
ABOUT APC

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international
network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and
supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of
information and communication technologies (ICTs), especially
Internet-related technologies. Our network of members and partners spans
the globe, with presence in Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa,
Asia, Latin America and North America.

APC: http://www.apc.org
Email: info@apc.org

From khiggs at apc.org  Wed Apr  9 19:31:35 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] Declaracion APC: Pour opposer les actions contre Al-Jazeera en ligne
Message-ID: <3E946707.8317F010@apc.org>

Please circulate. French Version of APC Statement.
=======================================================

D?CLARATION DE L'ASSOCIATION POUR LES COMMUNICATIONS  PROGRESSISTES
(APC) POUR OPPOSER LES ACTIONS CONTRE LA PR?SENCE EN LIGNE DE L'AGENCE
DE PRESSE DU MOYEN-ORIENT, AL-JAZEERA
Le 4 avril 2003

L'APC s'oppose aux actions prises contre la pr?sence en ligne
d'Al-Jazeera. Il faut permettre ? l'Internet d'assumer librement son
r?le unique et vital de d?fenseur de la " libert? d'expression " et de
la diversit? du contenu, particuli?rement en p?riode de conflit.  

L'APC s'oppose ? la censure sur l'Internet et d?clare dans sa Charte des
droits Internet [1] que " l'Internet doit ?tre prot?g? contre toute
tentative de censure du d?bat social et politique ". La Charte des
droits Internet soutient que " l'Internet est un espace id?al o?
enregistrer et promouvoir les contenus vari?s sur le plan culturel et
politique ".

Cette position est conforme ? l'Article 19 du Pacte universel relatif
aux droits civils et politiques de l'ONU[2] qui d?clare que le droit ?
la libert? d'opinion et d'expression, y compris le droit de rechercher,
recevoir et transmettre l'information, est un droit de l'homme reconnu
et qu'il doit ?tre prot?g?. 

Le cas du site Web d'Al-Jazeera :

L'APC s'inqui?te de voir qu'une source ?lectronique de nouvelles et
d'information du Moyen-Orient - le site Web d'Al-Jazeera - ait fait
l'objet d'attaques de saboteurs, de d?tournements de nom de domaine et
du retrait des services d'h?te, tout cela durant les premi?res semaines
de la guerre contre l'Iraq men?e par les ?tats-Unis.   

Caract?ris?e comme " une voix exceptionnellement ind?pendante dans le
monde arabe " par l'agence de transmission Associated Press, le r?seau
de t?l?vision 
par satellite Al-Jazeera a lanc? son site Web en anglais le lundi 24
mars, lancement qui a re?u une importante couverture m?diatique.  

Toutefois, au lieu de trouver des articles ?crits dans une perspective
arabe, les visiteurs au site Web d'Al-Jazeera ont ?t? accueillis, le
jeudi 27 mars, par une image du drapeau am?ricain et un message
proclamant " Que r?gne la libert? ". L'adresse du site Web d'Al-Jazeera,
www.al-jazeera.net, avait ?t? d?tourn?e de sorte que les visiteurs qui
souhaitaient lire les articles sur les sites en anglais ou en arabe
n'ont pas pu le faire car leurs navigateurs ?taient automatiquement "
redirig?s " vers une page pro-U.S.  

Al-Jazeera a ?galement d? faire face ? des attaques de refus de service
(DOS) de la part de pirates " patriotiques ". Ces attaques ont augment?
artificiellement le niveau de trafic des visiteurs sur un site jusqu'?
ce que le serveur h?bergeant le site ne puisse plus contenir le trafic
et se bloque, mettant ainsi le site hors-ligne.  

Le fournisseur de services Internet d'Al-Jazeera aux ?tats-Unis vient
aussi d'annuler son contrat avec Al-Jazeera. Il semble qu'Al-Jazeera ait
trouv? un nouveau fournisseur en Europe ; cependant, dans l'intervalle,
le 2 avril (date estim?e de l'annulation du contrat) il ?tait impossible
d'avoir acc?s aux sites d'Al-Jazeera.  

Les piratages informatiques, le vandalisme en ligne et l'annulation du
contrat de service Web d'Al-Jazeera constituent tous une entrave au
droit d?clar? par l'ONU de " recevoir et de transmettre l'information et
les id?es par n'importe quel moyen de communication et sans tenir compte
des fronti?res ".

Diversification de nos sources de nouvelles et d'information :

L'Internet est un outil fort utile qui permet la diversification des
sources m?diatiques, particuli?rement pour les citoyens des pays qui
forment la coalition des forces d'invasion.  

" On pourrait regarder la t?l?vision am?ricaine sans cesse pendant une
semaine et ne jamais savoir l'importance du malaise ni de l'opposition
du public [? la guerre] 
 Pourquoi l'inqui?tude et le m?contentement du
public am?ricain sont-ils si invisibles? La r?ponse est qu'ils ne sont
invisibles que si vous les cherchez dans les m?dias de grande diffusion.
Ils sont pr?sent?s - mais il faut aller sur le Net, " a ?crit John
Naughton du quotidien britannique The Observer[3].  

Au cours de la seconde semaine de la guerre, le mot le plus souvent
recherch? sur les divers moteurs de recherche ?tait " Al-Jazeera " et
ses variantes. Un nombre consid?rable d'abonn?s se sont inscrits ? son
service de presse en langue anglaise et d'innombrables lecteurs
nord-am?ricains recherchent activement d'autres sources d'informations
sur la guerre, selon une ?tude du Pew Internet and American Life
Project[4].  

? titre de pionniers dans le domaine de l'information et de la
communication, l'APC et ses membres - des groupes qui, depuis la fin des
ann?es 1980, ont encourag? la soci?t? civile ? utiliser l'Internet ? des
fins de justice sociale, de d?veloppement et de paix - estiment qu'il
faut permettre ? l'Internet de remplir librement ses fonctions uniques
et vitales, qui sont de promouvoir la " libert? d'expression " et de
multiplier et diversifier les sources d'information, particuli?rement en
p?riodes de conflit. 

Sources d'information en langue anglaise provenant du monde arabophone :

Outre Al-Jazeera, il plusieurs sites de nouvelles en anglais qui
pr?sentent une perspective arabe. Ra'ida Al-Zubi, membre du Programme
R?seaux Femmes de l'APC, recommande Al-Hayat
(http://english.daralhayat.com), The Jordan Times (www.jordantimes.com)
et le Daily Star du Liban (www.dailystar.com.lb). Un outil de traduction
arabe-anglais qui traduit les pages Web contre paiement est consid?r?
?tre le meilleur outil de traduction de l'arabe en ligne
(http://tarjim.ajeeb.com/ajeeb/default.asp?lang=1).  

[1] http://rights.apc.org/charter.shtml#2
[2] http://www.hrweb.org/legal/cpr.html
[3] http://www.observer.co.uk/business/story/0,6903,925333,00.html
[4] http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/toc.asp?Report=87

=============================================
AU SUJET DE L'APC

L'Association pour les communications progressistes (Association for
Progressive Communications - APC) est une r?seau international
d'organisations de la soci?t? civile vou?es ? habiliter et ? soutenir
les groupes et les individus par l'usage strat?gique des technologies de
l'information et des communications (TIC), sp?cialement les technologies
associ?es ? l'Internet. Notre r?seau de membres et de partenaires
s'?tend d'un bout ? l'autre du monde, ?tant repr?sent? en Europe de
l'Ouest, centrale et de l'Est, en Afrique, en Asie, en Am?rique latine
et en Am?rique du Nord.

APC : http://www.apc.org
E-mail : info@apc.org
Source: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=11168

From khiggs at apc.org  Wed Apr  9 19:38:08 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] APC Statement now in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Slovak
Message-ID: <3E946890.90FFC2E2@apc.org>

APC OPPOSES ACTIONS AGAINST AL JAZEERA WEBSITE

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC), an international
network of civil society organizations supporting the use of the
Internet for social justice, came out in opposition to recent attempts
to curtail the online presence of Arabic-language news service, Al
Jazeera. 

"The Internet must be allowed to freely perform its unique and vital
role as a promoter of 'freedom of expression' and content diversity,
especially in times of conflict," APC said in a statement released April
4. 

The statement can now be read in six languages*:

English: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=10848
Spanish: http://www.apc.org/espanol/news/index.shtml?x=11032
Portuguese: http://www.cidadania.org.br/conteudo.asp?conteudo_id=664
French: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=11168
Slovak: http://www.changenet.sk/?&section=spr&x=70512
Japanese: http://www.labornetjp.org/antiwar2003/news2003/20030404apc

The statement is featured in an article ("US turns to net for war
updates",  April 8 2003) by BBC Online:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2925289.stm


===================================================
*APC would like to thank ChangeNet, RITS and LaborNet Nippon for
translations into Slovak, Portuguese and Japanese respectively.

From khiggs at apc.org  Mon Apr 14 15:36:37 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] Premio Betinho 2003/ Betinho Prize 2003
Message-ID: <3E9AC775.3DBA64D3@apc.org>

Please circulate widely. Favor de distribuir. Por favor, divulgue.
 
===============================================================
LANZAMIENTO DEL PREMIO BETINHO DE COMUNICACIONES DE APC, 2003: 
reconocimiento a iniciativas de tecnolog?a al servicio de la gente, 
en Latinoam?rica y el Caribe 
===============================================================

En el a?o 2003, el Premio Betinho de APC se otorgar? en reconocimiento a
ejemplos destacados del trabajo con tecnolog?as de informaci?n y
comunicaci?n (TIC) que sirven a mejorar la vida de las personas y
comunidades, en Latinoam?rica y el Caribe. 

Estamos interesados en iniciativas de TIC que:
1. Est?n al servicio de la gente y fomenta la participaci?n
2. Tienen un impacto comunitario significativo
3. Est?n desarrollada y administrada en Latinoam?rica y/o el Caribe

En especial favoreceremos iniciativas que: 
* Promueven la cultura de la paz, el respeto mutuo y la tolerancia
* Velan por la defensa de los derechos civiles
* Promueven la democratizaci?n de los medios
* Utilizan software libre y de fuente abierta al servicio de la
comunidad 
* Fomentan el uso de las TIC por parte de la mujer 
* Fomentan el uso de las TIC por parte de comunidades que
tradicionalmente se encuentran marginadas 
* Facilitan la creaci?n y/o adopci?n de pol?ticas de TIC al servicio de
la gente

EL PREMIO ESTA ABIERTO A: organizaciones de la sociedad civil,
instituciones gubernamentales, organizaciones educativas, grupos
comunitarios, redes, movimientos sociales y ciudadanos/as de
Latinoam?rica y el Caribe. Las candidaturas se aceptar?n en los idiomas
m?s utilizados en la regi?n: espa?ol, portugu?s e ingl?s. 

EL PREMIO: 7.500 d?lares que ser?n distribuidos entre hasta tres
iniciativas ganadoras.

FECHA LIMITE DE PRESENTACION DE CANDIDATURA: 15 de agosto de 2003

MAS ACERCA DEL PREMIO BETINHO DE APC: http://www.apc.org/espanol/betinho
o escribe a betinho@apc.org


ACERCA DE LA ASOCIACION PARA EL PROGRESO DE LAS COMUNICACIONES (APC)
http://www.apc.org
La Asociaci?n para el Progreso de las Comunicaciones es una red
internacional de organizaciones c?vicas, dedicada a empoderar y apoyar a
grupos y particulares a trav?s del uso estrat?gico de las tecnolog?as de
informaci?n y comunicaci?n, especialmente de las tecnolog?as de
Internet. 


===============================================================
LAN?AMENTO DO PR?MIO BETINHO PARA AS COMUNICA??ES, DA APC, 2003:
reconhecimento a iniciativas de tecnologia a servi?o das pessoas,
na Am?rica Latina e Caribe
===============================================================
Em 2003 o Pr?mio Betinho vai ser concedido como reconhecimento a
exemplos relevantes de trabalho com tecnologias de informa??o e
comunica??o (TICs) que servem para melhorar a vida das pessoas e
comunidades, na Am?rica Latina e Caribe.

Estamos interessados em iniciativas de TIC que:
1.	Est?o a servi?o das pessoas e estimulam a participa??o
2.	T?m um impacto comunit?rio significativo
3.	Desenvolvem-se e s?o administradas na Am?rica Latina e/ou Caribe

Favoreceremos especialmente iniciativas que:
* Promovem uma cultura de paz, respeito m?tuo e toler?ncia
* Defendem as liberdades civis
* Promovem a democratiza??o dos meios de comunica??o
* Usam software livre e de fonte aberta destinado a servir ? comunidade
* Estimulam o uso de TICs por mulheres
* Estimulam o uso de TICs por comunidades tradicionalmente
marginalizadas
* Facilitam a cria??o ou ado??o de pol?ticas de TIC a servi?o das
pessoas

O PR?MIO EST? ABERTO A: organiza??es da sociedade civil, institui??es
governamentais, organiza??es educativas, grupos comunit?rios, redes,
movimentos sociais, e cidad?os/?s da Am?rica Latina e Caribe. Ser?o
aceitadas candidaturas nos idiomas mais usados na regi?o: castelhano,
portugu?s e ingl?s.

O PR?MIO: US$ 7.500 a ser distribu?dos entre at? tr?s iniciativas
ganhadoras.

DATA LIMITE PARA INSCRI??ES: 15 de agosto de 2003

MAIS SOBRE O PR?MIO BETINHO DA APC: http://www.apc.org/espanol/betinho
ou escreva para betinho@apc.org


SOBRE A ASSOCIA??O PARA O PROGRESSO DAS COMUNICA??ES (APC)
http://www.apc.org
A Associa??o para o Progresso das Comunica??es ? uma rede internacional
de organiza??es c?vicas, dedicada a potencializar e apoiar grupos e
particulares atrav?s do uso estrat?gico de tecnologias de informa??o e
comunica??o, especialmente de tecnologias de Internet.


===============================================================
ANNOUNCING THE APC BETINHO COMMUNICATIONS PRIZE IN 2003: 
Recognising people-centred technology initiatives 
in Latin America and the Caribbean
===============================================================
In 2003, the APC Betinho Prize will be offered in recognition of
outstanding examples of information and communication technology (ICT)
efforts that are improving the lives of people and communities in Latin
America and the Caribbean. 

We are looking for ICT initiatives that:
* are people-centred and mobilise participation
* are driven and developed in Latin America and the Caribbean
* have positive community impact

and we particularly encourage initiatives that: 
* Promote a culture of peace, mutual respect and tolerance
* Monitor the defence of civil liberties
* Promote the democratisation of the media
* Make or use community-focused free and open source software 
* Encourage the use of ICTs by women 
* Encourage the use of ICTs by traditionally marginalised communities 
* Facilitate the creation and/or adoption of people-centred ICT policies

THE PRIZE IS OPEN TO: civil society organisations, government
institutions, educational organisations, community-based groups,
networks, social movements and individuals anywhere in Latin America and
the Caribbean. Applications will be accepted in some of the most widely
used languages in the region - Spanish, Portuguese and English. 

THE PRIZE: USD$7,500.00 will be shared amongst up to three winning
initiatives.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: August 15, 2003

MORE ABOUT THE APC BETINHO PRIZE: http://www.apc.org/english/betinho or
write to betinho@apc.org


ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION FOR PROGRESSIVE COMMUNICATIONS (APC)
http://www.apc.org
The Association for Progressive Communications is an international
network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and
supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of
information and communication technologies, especially
Internet-technologies.

From khiggs at apc.org  Mon May 12 13:49:26 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] INTERNET RIGHTS ALERT: Ten thousand families could be excluded from
 Internet service in Hungary
Message-ID: <3EBF9856.62BF7F62@apc.org>

Ten thousand families could be excluded from Internet service in Hungary

IndyMedia Hungary -- A recent decree by the Hungarian government which
bans outdoor use of a particular wireless frequency which provides
Internet to thousands of Hungarians in the so-called ?last mile? -
people living in villages and small towns and other areas of low
population which are not well served by telephone companies - has been
condemned by NET?RT, the Hungarian Internet Users' Society. 

Read more: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=11757

Contact: Attila NEMETH, chair of NETERT, nemeth.attila@netert.hu

From khiggs at apc.org  Fri May 16 22:16:36 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] APC Statement: Supporting GMO Hunger Strikers in Philippines
Message-ID: <3EC55534.C59A91AA@apc.org>

APC Statement of Support for Roberto Verzola and Fellow Hunger Strikers
in the Philippines

The Association for Progressive Communications expresses its support for
our long time colleague and friend, Roberto Verzola, and his fellow
hunger strikers in their protest action against the commercial use of Bt
Genetically Modified Corn in the Philippines.  Bt corn was developed by
Monsanto, the US based multi-national agricultural corporation.   

We urge the Philippine Government to reconsider its decision and listen
to the many farmers and environmentalists who are calling for a
moratorium on the use of GMOs in the Philippines.   

Roberto Verzola is one of the founders of the progressive information
and communications technology (ICT) movement that emerged in the late
1980s, and which lead to the creation of the APC (Association for
Progressive Communications).  Roberto's ongoing critique of the hype
surrounding ICTs, and their supposed ability to reduce poverty and
inequality, and his personal creative and pioneering use of appropriate
low-cost ICTs for environmental and social justice both inspired, and
exemplifies APC's core values.  

END


Here is Roberto's statement (including an opportunity to send support
message): http://www.bwf.org/hs3.shtml

You can send letters of protest urging the Minister of Agriculture to
reconsider his position: seclorenzo@da.gov.ph (this goes directly to the
Philippine Minister of Agriculture)

Letters of support to Roberto: searice@searice.org.ph (this will reach
him)
He has been on hunger strike for more than three weeks and is extremely
weak.

From khiggs at apc.org  Fri May 30 15:12:57 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] APCNews - May 2003 - No. 34
Message-ID: <3ED766E9.C06C1D38@apc.org>

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 
          *APCNews, the monthly newsletter of the 
     Association for Progressive Communications (APC)*
                  - May 2003 No. 34 - 
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 
-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS --
-- NEWS FROM APC --
-- APC ACTION AREA: INTERNET RIGHTS --
-- APC ACTION AREA: MOBILISING PARTICIPATION -
-- WOMEN & ICTs --
-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --
-- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES -
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 

-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS -

RITS, Brazil: Anti-Democratic Internet Administration is Tackled in
Brazil

In January this year, at the World Social Forum in Brazil, APC
representatives criticised the anti-democratic nature of Internet
administration which filters down and is often reproduced at national
level. Prominent Brazilian ICT activists complained that the management
of the Brazilian Internet is in the hands of a group of volunteers who
are appointed by the Brazilian ministries and yet work behind closed
doors and without accounting for the millions of dollars raised in the
sale of .br Internet addresses. 

Now Brazilian civil society is getting together to change the way the
Internet is governed in Brazil. A seminar was held February 25-26 2003
in Rio de Janeiro and partly as a result of discussions with government
officials and the seminar recommendations, the Lula government has
decided to support the transition to a new Internet governance structure
for Brazil. Read the recommendations from civil society translated for
us by APC member RITS. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12139


Colnodo, Colombia: Online Websites Promote Transparent Local Government
in Colombia

APC member in Colombia, Colnodo and Transparencia por Colombia
(Transparency for Colombia) are working with the Mayor's Offices in four
cities to produce online websites that will help fight corruption and
increase the public's access to government information. The websites and
tools created by Colnodo are used to monitor and verify public spending
and to publish the information in a user-friendly format for concerned
citizens to consult. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12177


BLUELINK, Bulgaria/STRAWBERRYNET, Romania: South East Europeans Use
Collaborative Portal To Raise Visibility of Environmental Issues 

The APC members BlueLink Information Network (Bulgaria) and
StrawberryNet (Romania) have launched a South Eastern Europe regional
content-sharing website. Eight environmental NGOs networks from
Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Kosovo/a, Romania,
Yugoslavia and Croatia pool information and special materials from their
web sites and publish it collectively to create a portal with a regional
perspective. The English-language initiative aims to strengthen the
environmental information exchange in the SEE region through online
content sharing and joint information flow. The content sharing platform
allows the NGOs to find news, campaigns and announcements and aids their
distributing information through their local electronic network.

The content exchange process is possible due to a methodology developed
by APC. The content exchange automatically pulls information from lots
of different web sites using the APC ActionApps.
http://www.see-environment.info
BlueLink: http://www.bluelink.net
StrawberryNet: http://www.sbn.ro
APC ActionApps: http://www.apc.org/actionapps


TAU, Argentina: Building Computer and Internet Skills in Argentina
Remains a Challenge but Demand Grows

APC member TAU, based in Argentina's second city Rosario, has started
meeting with organisations which are interested in setting up community
telecentres in their neighbourhood. "It looks like we'll be developing
six new telecentres which will make nine in total set up in Rosario and
hinterland since last year," said Luis Martinez, one of TAU's
coordinators. 

Getting hold of donated computers and other hardware is still a major
headache in a country that has suffered such an economic crisis that
most businesses are just not replacing their old machines as they did
previously. "It's also proving really difficult getting even a basic
dial-up Internet connection in certain areas of the city," said Luis. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12181


SANGONeT, South Africa: Southern African Network Promotes Debate on the
Role and Relevance of Technology for Civil Society

As one of very few civil society organisations in Southern Africa
dedicated to providing ICT services to the local civil society sector,
APC member in Johannesburg, SANGONeT, will organise various one-day
SANGONeT ICT Discussion Forums during 2003, called Thetha, which will
focus specifically on the role and relevance of ICTs to CSOs. Thetha is
a Nguni verb meaning let's talk, discuss, debate, share opinion/ideas
and engage each other. 

The first Thetha was held on 27 March 2003, and focussed on "ICTs and
Development in South Africa: Challenges and Opportunities".
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12141


GREENNET, UK: Women with Megabyte! A national conference on women's
organizations and ICTs in the UK

The GreenNet Educational Trust and WomenConnect presented a two-day
workshop for women and women's organizations in the UK. The event looked
at how women's organizations in the UK were using, are using and could
be using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to sustain their
work, challenge inequality and bring about social change. The event was
attended by representatives from over thirty groups working in the UK
women's voluntary sector and was an exciting learning experience. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=11759


--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 

-- NEWS FROM APC -

ANNOUNCING THE APC BETINHO COMMUNICATIONS PRIZE IN 2003: Recognising
people-centred technology initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2003, the APC Betinho Prize will be offered in recognition of
outstanding examples of information and communication technology (ICT)
efforts that are improving the lives of people and communities in Latin
America and the Caribbean. 

We are looking for ICT initiatives that:
* are people-centred and mobilise participation
* are driven and developed in Latin America and the Caribbean
* have positive community impact

and we particularly encourage initiatives that: 
* Promote a culture of peace, mutual respect and tolerance
* Monitor the defence of civil liberties
* Promote the democratisation of the media
* Make or use community-focused free and open source software 
* Encourage the use of ICTs by women 
* Encourage the use of ICTs by traditionally marginalised communities 
* Facilitate the creation and/or adoption of people-centred ICT policies

THE PRIZE IS OPEN TO: civil society organisations, community-based
groups, networks, and social movements anywhere in Latin America and the
Caribbean. Applications will be accepted in some of the most widely used
languages in the region - Spanish, Portuguese and English. 

THE PRIZE: USD$7,500.00 will be shared amongst up to three winning
initiatives.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: August 15, 2003

MORE ABOUT THE APC BETINHO PRIZE: http://www.apc.org/english/betinho or
write to betinho@apc.org


--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 

-- APC ACTION AREA: INTERNET RIGHTS -

Training Course by APC and CTO Helps Civil Society Organisations
Understand how ICT Policy Decisions Can Affect Your Work: Training moves
to East Africa

APC, with the support of the Commonwealth Telecommunications
Organization (CTO) is now preparing to hold a second 'ICT Policy
Training for Civil Society' workshop in Kampala, Uganda, June 16-19,
2003.  The training course is aimed at building the confidence of CSOs
to engage and influence relevant ICT policy processes at national,
regional and global levels. An estimated 25 participants and
facilitators, from countries such as Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda,
Tanzania, and Uganda will attend. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12184


AFRICA: New "ICT and Civil Society in Africa" Reports from APC

New research reports on the participation of civil society in national
ICT policy-making in Egypt, Benin and Cameroon are now available on the
APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor Website. The "ICT and Civil Society in
Africa" reports were commissioned by APC to explore the role of local
civil society organisations (CSOs) in developing and strengthening ICT
policy-making at a national level in Africa. 

Egypt: Egypt's CSO sector is active and far reaching, however despite
the increase in the number of users, and the fact that Internet policy
and regulation is becoming an issue, although only a tiny minority of
activists work in this area. Recent lobbying on the newest communication
bill is an encouraging sign that representatives of civil society are
waking up to the fact that civil society must stake a claim in ICT
policy formulation processes.

Benin: With a current population of about six million people, Benin has
a poorly developed telecommunication infrastructure in spite of being
connected to the Internet since 1995. There are few civil society
organizations and most work primarily in "traditional" areas of health,
education, human rights and rural development. A few have recently began
work in the area of ICTs. This report examines ICT policy and regulation
and the role of CSOs active in this field. 

Cameroon: Cameroon has fewer than two hundred registered NGOs, and few
of these organizations are active in the ICTs sector. This situation is
changing rapidly mostly because of awareness-raising on the importance
and role of ICTs in development. The emergence of an information and
communication sector in Cameroon has brought forward various debates
regarding the formulation and strategies for the implementation of ICT
policies. 

The "ICT and Civil Society in Africa" reports were commissioned by APC
to explore the role of local civil society organisations in developing
and strengthening ICT policy-making at a national level in Africa. You
can read and download these and other country reports from the APC
Africa ICT Policy Monitor Website: http://africa.rights.apc.org


LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: National reports from APC on Latin
America gearing up for the World Summit on the Information Society

The series of reports "Latin America gearing up for the World Summit on
the Information Society" were commissioned by APC as a way of helping
civil society groups reflect on and get involved in the process leading
up to the WSIS which will take place in Geneva in December 2003 and
Tunisia in 2005. Reports from Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Ecuador, and
the Dominican Republic are written in Spanish. 
http://lac.derechos.apc.org/investigaciones.shtml


--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 

-- APC ACTION AREA: MOBILISING PARTICIPATION -

Africa Civil Society and the WSIS process: Special edition of Chakula

The World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) is an initiative of the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the United Nations
(UN). Its stated intention is to provide a unique opportunity for all
key stakeholders to assemble at a high-level gathering and develop a
better understanding of the information revolution and its impact on the
international community.  Whether this goal will be attained remains to
be seen.  Nevertheless, it is an important opportunity for civil society
organizations in Africa to critically engage ICT for development issues.

May's edition of Chakula - the Africa ICT Policy Monitor newsletter from
the APC - focuses on Africa Civil Society and the WSIS. 
http://africa.rights.apc.org/newsletter.shtml


--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 

-- WOMEN & ICTs -

GKP and the APC's Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP)
initiate "The Gender and ICT Awards" 

Inviting submissions under the "Multistakeholder" and
"Community-based/Individual" categories, the US$8,000 per-category
Awards aim to:

* Recognise gender and ICT initiatives globally and provide further
impetus for others to mainstream gender in the field of ICTs; and
therefore support a number of internationally agreed recommendations for
gender equality, women's rights and empowerment,
* Give due recognition to community-based or small-scale initiatives
designed and implemented by women and women's organisations/networks;
while appreciating larger scale but cost-effective multi-stakeholder
initiatives,
* Provide much needed opportunities to develop new
collaborations/partnerships and opportunities for up-scaling small-scale
and community-based initiatives.

The winners will be celebrated at an award ceremony in conjunction with
the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva,
Switzerland, from December 10-12, 2003. Watch this space for updates. 


APC-Africa-Women: Women's Electronic Network Training Workshop for
Africa (WENT-Africa 2003)

Participants at a workshop held by APC-Africa-Women in late March agreed
that women training women in technology really works, and that an
African women's ICT training network is crucial if we are to meet the
enormous need for appropriate training in ICTs for women by women in
Africa.

WENT is a true example of South-South collaboration. WENT Africa 2003 is
directly modelled on the experience of an Asian women's training which
takes place annually in South Korea. The Asia and Pacific Women's
Electronic Network Training Workshop has proved to be a highly popular
and successful methodology and has taken place since 1999. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12193


--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 

-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --

History of Civil Society Networking: The APC History Archive

For researchers, seekers of best practices and history buffs, APC's
online 'History Archive' is becoming a real information goldmine. It
features articles in English and Spanish from APC's tenth anniversary
annual report which has been called "one of the most valuable resources
I've found so far [..] contains some excellent articles on APC's
pioneering efforts at using ICT" by a University of Hawaii professor. 

Ian Peter, founder of early APC Australian member Pegasus, recently sent
an article for inclusion called "The Pegasus History" about networking
in the Asian Pacific in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Excerpt: "While in Costa Rica I dropped in to visit Barry Roberts at the
University of Peace and he told me about the Association for Progressive
Communications, and a meeting he, Peter Gabriel, and two people who were
later to be come close friends of mine, Mark Graham and Mitra (who
doesn't have a surname) had a year previously. This meeting had decided
to set up an international network for non-government organizations, and
was active in England and the United States. Their idea was to set up
"nodes" in various countries and link them together. They already had a
transatlantic network linking GreenNet (in the UK) with PeaceNet and
Econet in San Francisco. That night in my room in the La Selva forest I
thought about PeaceNet, Econet and GreenNet - that gave me the PEG of my
acronym. I then started to think about who wasn't covered - Asia, South
America, USSR, South Africa - There was my acronym - PEGASUS. The
mythology of the flying horse as a messenger and the vision of a global
network had totally captured me."

The APC History Archive: http://www.apc.org/english/about/history/


Aid Workers Network

The Aid Workers Network is an independent learning community for
development and relief practitioners to provide mutual support and
practical advice based on experience. Main activities are the Aid
Workers Forum - an online place to ask questions and find answers-, and
Aid Workers Exchange - a weekly e-mail for knowledge sharing amongst
field staff in humanitarian relief and international development.  The
format of the e-mail alternates between questions/responses and short
articles.  
Aid Workers Network: http://www.aidworkers.net


--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 

-- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES -

APC: Internet Rights Policy Project Coordinator for AFRICA 

Working both with the APC member organizations in the region, as well as
with other groups and experts in the ICT policy arena, the Coordinator
will lead APC's ICT policy research and dissemination activities in
Africa. Currently, this is a full-time position for 6 months. Depending
on the availability of funds, and outcomes of performance assessments,
the contract will be extended for 1.5 years. Application Deadline: June
6, 2003 

JOB REQUIREMENTS: The candidate must:
*   live in Africa 
*   have excellent English and French writing, reading and speaking
skills 
*   have considerable experience managing projects 
*   know how to  use Internet services such as email, mailing lists and
WWW
*   feel very comfortable working almost exclusively in an 'online'
environment 
*   be familiar with ICT policy issues in the region and globally
*   have experience in quantitative and qualitative research, 
    information management, and capacity building
*   have NGO working experience
*   have excellent written, online and public presentation communication
skills 

More details: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12133


CRIS campaign: New CRIS website 

The Campaign for Communication Rights in the Information Society, of
which APC is a member, has just relaunched their website with new
sections, practical ways to participate in the campaign, inter-active
features, a shared calendar of events, forums, intranet and more. The
site is language friendly and includes content in French and Spanish
(and other languages too).

Comments, queries and content should be sent to act@crisinfo.org. This
website would not exist without the gracious support of Paula Molinero
and APC member, GreenNet. 
CRIS: http://www.crisinfo.org


The Stockholm Challenge: Award for 2003/2004

For the sixth time, the City of Stockholm welcomes projects that use IT
in an innovative way within their own sector. Projects can be active in
environment,  education, health and culture as well as e-government and
e-business sectors. The focus is on how IT can benefit people and
society. The competition is open to private, public and academic
contestants. The Challenge invites projects in the following categories:
e-Government, Culture, Health, Education, e-Business and Environment.
Read more about the categories below. 

The entry form is available on-line at:
http://www.challenge.stockholm.se/entryform_index.html
Deadline: November 1, 2003. 


Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP): GKP Youth Award

GKP invites submissions from youth-led projects from all over the world.
Through this award, the GKP aims to reward and bring international
recognition to the outstanding work of young people who have used
information communication technologies (ICT) for the promotion of
development in their communities. Finalists will also be presented with
the opportunity to showcase their projects to an international body of
ICT4D policy makers and practitioners at the ICT4D Platform
(http://www.ict-4d.org), held in conjunction with the World Summit on
the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva in December 2003. 

More information is available at: http://www.globalknowledge.org
Deadline:  31 August 2003


--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 
APCNews, in English, and APCNoticias, in Spanish, are 
distributed monthly by APC, the Association for Progressive 
Communications (APC), the international Internet community 
for peace, human rights, development and the environment.
APCNews Archive: http://www.apc.org/english/news/apcnews/

CopyLeft. 2003 Association for Progressive Communications
(APC). Permission is granted to use this document for personal
use, for training and educational publications, and activities
by peace, environmental, human rights or development
organizations. Please provide an acknowledgment to APC.

From khiggs at apc.org  Mon Jun  2 21:14:45 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] World Summit on Information Society - APC critiques draft declaration
Message-ID: <3EDBB035.436DCD68@apc.org>

APC and APC WNSP Critique the Draft Declaration and Action Plan Prepared
for the UN "World Summit on the Information Society"

Critical issues are not addressed sufficiently, if at all 


JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 2 2003 -- In detailed documents
submitted to the secretariat of the United Nations' World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS), APC and the APC Women's Programme recognised
the efforts of the WSIS drafting committee to include the concerns and
interests of the many governments, private sector and civil society
stakeholders taking part in the process which will culminate in the
first ever UN Summit dedicated to communications in Geneva in December.
However, say the ICT activists, "there are critical issues [that] are
not addressed sufficiently, if at all". 

APC and WNSP criticised the draft documents - which include a
declaration and action plan - for: 
- their reluctance to explicitly confront the fact that fundamental
political, social and economic inequalities shape our world
- a lack of acknowledgment that gender inequality is central in broader
social inequality
- not acknowledging that without greater access to power and
decision-making and equitable redistribution of available resources, we
are unlikely to reduce the gap between the powerful and the powerless
- lacking awareness on proposals around the 'information security
agenda' that threaten to further harm already weakened human rights in
areas such as privacy and data protection
- their scant reference to the impacts on the environment in the
information society resulting from new technologies and infrastructure
- their insufficient acknowledgement of the negative impact of
Intellectual Property Rights on access to information and knowledge, and
on technological innovation.

Read full article: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12235
APC Comments: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12209
APC WNSP Comments: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12233

Links to original WSIS documents and all submitted comments:
http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/listing-all.asp?lang=en&c_event=pci|1&c_type=all|
(there are currently some errors in the attribution of articles)

To contact APC or APC WNSP about the World Summit on the Information
Society: Write to Karen Banks karenb@gn.apc.org

