From khiggs at apc.org  Wed Jul  2 21:17:19 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] UNESCO/APC: Multimedia Training Kit released
Message-ID: <3F033DCF.79F6F93D@apc.org>

RELEASE OF "UNESCO/APC MULTIMEDIA TRAINING KIT"

"The farmers' cooperative that uses our telecentre can never find the 
information they want online. I want to offer them basic Internet 
training but I don't have materials."   

"A women's group I have trained has been offered a regular 15-minute 
spot on a local radio show. They've asked me for a workshop on script-
writing but my experience is in writing for web, not radio."   

More and more people are seeing the creative potential of linking the 
Internet to more traditional communication technologies, particularly 
radio and television.   

A STRUCTURED MULTIMEDIA TRAINING KIT

The UNESCO/APC Multimedia Training Kit (MMTK) provides trainers in 
telecentres, community media organisations, and the development 
sector with a structured set of materials to help make that jump 
between new and traditional media or train in a new skill area.   

The materials cover a range of multimedia areas like "presenting on 
radio" and "writing for the web" as well as topics such as 
"cooperative problem solving". The MMTK is a growing collection, and 
new topics will be added in the months to come.    

Materials follow a standard format and so can be used as 
interchangeable building blocks from which trainers can build up face-
to-face training appropriate for their different contexts. So, a 
trainer running a workshop on information skills for a women's 
organisation could choose components from the "Searching the 
Internet" unit and the "Violence Against Women" module and combine 
them into a single workshop kit. Individuals can also use many of the 
materials for self-instruction.  

Each unit includes notes for trainers on running the workshop, a 
handout for workshop participants, exercises, a list of additional 
resources, a glossary of terms, a copyright statement and workshop 
and materials evaluation forms. Many units contain additional 
resources such as presentations, detailed manuals for trainers, and 
case studies of how the tools in question are being used in different 
contexts.   

FREE TO USE

All MMTK materials are released under a Creative Commons license 
which allows their free use and distribution for non-commercial use.  
 
A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT

The MMTK is a multi-stakeholder initiative involving the Association 
for Progressive Communications (APC), UNESCO, OneWorld International, 
AMARC, the International Institute for Communication and Development 
(IICD), Search for Common Ground, Radio for Development, and the Food 
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).  

The MMTK was funded by UNESCO and the Rockefeller Foundation and 
coordinated by APC.  

CONTACT: mmtk@apc.org

UNESCO/APC MULTIMEDIA TRAINING KIT: 
http:/www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/mmtk/

APC: http://www.apc.org/

UNESCO: http://www.unesco.org/

From khiggs at apc.org  Wed Jul  2 22:19:32 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] Free Software/Open Source Foundation for Africa: Action Plan and
 interest in UK Parliament
Message-ID: <3F034C64.6DCD3616@apc.org>

Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa: Action plan for the
next three years

The Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) in
conjunction with APC has completed an action plan for 2003-2005 and a
briefing on the state of FOSS in Africa. 

The APC Addis Workshop on ICT Policy and Civil Society sparked the
formation of the foundation with the workshop working group on
Information Security and Applications Development unanimously resolving
to convert itself into an interim civil society task force to champion
free and open source software. The foundation came into being during a
preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information Society
in February 2003 and now support for FOSSFA is being debated in the
British Houses of Parliament!

Find out more about FOSSFA and read the action plan:
http://www.wougnet.org/ICTpolicy/opensource.html#FOSSFA

FOSSFA in UK Parliamentary debate: 
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/ukparl_hl?DB=ukparl&STEMMER=en&WORDS=fossfa+&COLOUR=Red&STYLE=s&URL=/pa/ld199697/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds03/text/30618w02.htm#30618w02_wqn8

Article about FOSSFA by Maud Hand for APC:
"Can Open Source Technologies Transform African Information
Infra-structures? A troupe of African techies tell it how it is"
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=9965

From khiggs at apc.org  Mon Jul  7 15:54:32 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] APC: Release of Guide to Running a National WSIS Consultation
Message-ID: <3F0989A8.5B142662@apc.org>

RELEASE OF "APC FAQ ABOUT CONDUCTING A NATIONAL WSIS CONSULTATION"

In December this year, the world's governments will come together in the
first ever United Nations conference dedicated to information and
communications technologies - the World Summit on the Information
Society (WSIS).   However, there are complaints that draft documentation
produced during the preparatory run-up to the conference ignores or
glosses over many crucial issues, there is a conspicuous absence of
measurable targets and the concept of an 'information society' remains
vague and understood differently by the many 'stake-holders'. Outside
the process, a number of governments are not prioritising the conference
and the mass media seems completely uninterested. Many wonder whether
the event will have any real impact at all.

SO WHY BOTHER TO GET INVOLVED IN WSIS?

APC believes that WSIS provides a good opportunity to open spaces for
debate and discussion on key information and communication policy
issues, not only at global level, but also at national level and for
that reason has produced a step-by-step guide to running a national WSIS
consultation. 

If more civil society organisations (CSOs) get the experience and
confidence to begin to lobby and advocate on ICT policy issues at
national level, involvement in the WSIS process will have been worth the
effort. "From the outset of our involvement in WSIS," says APC executive
director, Anriette Esterhuysen, "APC has emphasised that an important
outcome of the process would be if it can kickstart national level ICT
policy discussion and debate.  This guide is a response to the many
organisations that had asked us: 'But how do we start working
nationally?' "

The WSIS process, including the preparation before and the follow up
after the Summit in December, is a great learning opportunity for CSOs
that are new to the ICT policy process. By engaging in the issues
outlined at the WSIS, CSOs can begin to articulate positions and gain
valuable experience in lobbying that can be taken back to their home
countries.  They can also develop positions, lobby and develop the
understanding necessary to participate in other international fora
related to ICT policies, such as the World Trade Organisation and ICANN
(the body that manages Internet names and numbers).

WHAT IS THE GUIDE ABOUT?

The APC "FAQ about Conducting a National WSIS Process" outlines the
steps to take and key components in organising a national consultation
around ICT policy, in this case specifically the debates raised by the
WSIS.  APC chose the 'frequently asked questions' question & answer
format in order to home in on some of the key questions we have heard
people ask.  

This is not a completely comprehensive guide to national level ICT
policy lobbying, but it does provide some useful answers to a CSO that
has the interest and initiative to get some kind of national level
consultation process going around WSIS or in fact any other ICT
policy-related consultation.

WHO IS THE GUIDE FOR?

The primary target audience is people that are active in using or
promoting the use of ICTs in their work, but who have not necessarily
been involved in national level policy processes previously.  "We find
this is true of many ICT oriented organisations," explains Esterhuysen. 
"They tend to be hands on, providing training, support, and content. 
Working at the policy level can be quite intimidating.  Our goal is to
provide encouragement and support so that ICT CSOs can build the
confidence to raise their voices in policy discussions."

ABOUT THE WSIS

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) hosted by the United
Nations, will be held in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2003. The
Summit will bring together all of the world's nations in an attempt to
develop a global framework to deal with the challenges posed by the
information society, and to take advantage of the opportunities it
presents. The overall World Summit on Information Society process has
two phases.  After the event of December of 2003, the process will
continue at regional and national levels.  The second Summit, to be held
in Tunis in November 2005, will review the process and progress made,
and identify a possible further plan of action.  National lobbying and
advocacy efforts can and should continue beyond December 2003.

APC FAQ ABOUT CONDUCTING A NATIONAL WSIS CONSULTATION:
http://rights.apc.org/nationalfaq_wsis_v1.pdf

CONTACT INFORMATION

Karen Banks, APC WSIS coordinator
Email: Karenb@gn.apc.org
Tel: +44 207 713 1941 (UK)
Fax: +44 207 837 5551

Anriette Esterhuysen, APC Executive Director
Email: Anriette@apc.org
Tel: +27 11 726-1692 (South Africa)
Fax: +27 11 726-1692


===============================================
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. APC and its members pioneer practical and
relevant uses of ICTs for civil society, especially in developing
countries. 
APC: http://www.apc.org

From khiggs at apc.org  Tue Jul  8 14:05:08 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] APCNews - June 2003 - No. 35
Message-ID: <3F0AC184.206DEFC5@apc.org>

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 
          *APCNews, the monthly newsletter of the 
     Association for Progressive Communications (APC)*
                   - June 2003 No. 35 - 
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 
-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS --
-- NEWS FROM APC --
-- APC ACTION AREA: BUILDING INFO COMMUNITIES --
-- APC ACTION AREA: INTERNET RIGHTS --
-- WOMEN & ICTs --
-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --
-- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES -
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 

-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS -

FOUNDATION FOR MEDIA ALTERNATIVES, PHILIPPINES: Human Rights Software
Being Tested in the Philippines is Expected to Improve Documentation of
Abuses 

Human rights work is highly vulnerable to situations where crucial data
is destroyed or confiscated, making it difficult and sometimes
impossible for law enforcers and the courts to prosecute violators.
Martus, a new open source software whose name means "witness" in Greek,
enables human rights organizations to safely store their data in a
secure, remote server, without the fear of falling prey to hackers and
those who might want to sabotage their work. Using Martus, just as with
e-mail, information can be shared and transmitted, but with greater
security. 

New APC member in Manila, the Foundation for Media Alternatives has
partnered with The Asia Foundation and non-profit US technologists, the
Benetech Initiative in promoting the use of the Martus Human Rights
Bulletin System, an email-like software developed by Benetech to
guarantee the secure transmission of human rights abuse data.
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12582


GREENNET, UK: United Kingdom Internet Rights Website,
www.internetrights.org.uk, will help citizens get involved in forming
the information society of the future 

"When laws are passed that affect people's access to water or
electricity, then thousands of people march together in the streets; but
when a government passes a law that enables it to read people's personal
email, then there is silence," said Paul Mobbs, UK activist and writer
of many of the materials on the new site launched in June by APC member
in London, GreenNet. Mobbs attributed the silence to the complexity and
technicality of the issues and the lack of easy-to-understand
information that explains to people how legislation governing the
Internet has profound effects on our daily lives. 

"UK Civil Society Internet Rights" provides a wide range of information
resources to help people add their voices to the important debates that
will govern the Information Society in the future. Aimed particularly at
civil society organisations who wish to be actively involved in ICT
policy development, the website contains detailed briefings as well as
concise fact sheets outlining some of the major issues in Internet
rights, including data retention, software patents, online privacy and
anti-terrorism legislation. 
http://www.internetrights.org.uk/press.shtml


ECONNECT, CZECH REPUBLIC: An Online Handbook to Citizens' Rights by
Public Officials in the Czech Republic Challenges Abuses

Each year, Econnect selects one crucial current topic on which to create
an information portal for Czech audiences. June saw the launch of
"Information Portal Civic Society - The Citizen's Handbook to Citizens'
Rights" - this year's thematic portal intended to serve as a "civic
defence" guide for those who feel their rights are not being respected
by government officials or big business. 

Why citizen's rights? Since the end of 1990s, a feeling of helplessness
has pervaded many sections of Czech society, with citizens' feeling that
the present decision-makers are moving towards the creation of a more
authoritarian society where the public's voice has limited influence. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12837


JINBONET, SOUTH KOREA: Hunger strikers protest collection of private
information on the eight-million strong student population of South
Korea

June 18th, 2003, nine human rights activists in South Korea started a
hunger strike against the recently introduced National Education
Information System (NEIS). NEIS is a gigantic database established by
the government to gather the private information of students, parents
and teachers. Many civil society organisation, students groups, parents
groups and teachers group criticise the implementation of NEIS, because
it severely infringes the basic human rights including privacy. However
the Korean government has announced that despite a ruling from the
national human rights commission and widespread protests by human rights
workers and teachers unions, it will go ahead with plans to impose the
nationwide database system. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12832


LABORNET, USA: Labour Conference on Access in the USA Faces Up To
Monopolisation Threats 

More than 60 labor, community media and internet activists met on April
5, 2003 to discuss the growing threat to democratic rights on cable, the
internet and other telecom areas reports APC member in the US, LaborNet.
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12830


STRAWBERRYNET, Romania: Romanian environmental groups work online to
defeat anti-ecological proposals

The Rosia Montana gold mine project would have been an environmental
disaster.  The "Dracula" theme park - inspired by the story of the
infamous Transylvanian count - was to be have been built in a treasured
medieval town declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a direct result
of NGO efforts, many coordinated in lists hosted by APC member in
Romania, StrawberryNet, the World Bank has pulled its investment in the
gold mine project, depriving it not only of a significant source of
funding, but of credibility, and the Dracula amusement park has been
moved to a new, more viable location.
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12807


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

-- NEWS FROM APC -

NEW! APC Launches Guide to Running a National ICT Policy Consultation
for the World Summit on the Information Society

The upcoming World Summit on the Information Society is a great learning
opportunity for civil society organisations that are new to the ICT
policy process to begin to articulate positions and gain valuable
experience in lobbying that can be taken back to their home countries.  

"But How Do We Start Working At National Level?"

The APC guide "FAQ about Conducting a National WSIS Process" outlines
the steps to take and key components in organising a national
consultation around ICT policy. The "question & answer" format homes in
on some of the key questions we have heard people ask about how to
organise. The primary target audience is people that are active in using
or promoting the use of ICTs in their work, but who have not necessarily
been involved in national level policy processes previously.  "We find
this is true of many ICT oriented organisations who tend to be hands on,
providing training, support, and content," said APC Executive Director,
Anriette Esterhuysen.  "Working at the policy level can be quite
intimidating.  Our goal is to provide encouragement and support so that
ICT CSOs can build the confidence to raise their voices in policy
discussions." Find out more about the "FAQ about Conducting a National
WSIS Process".

APC FAQ ON CONDUCTING A NATIONAL WSIS CONSULTATION
Download the FAQ: http://rights.apc.org/nationalfaq_wsis_v1.pdf
Read more about it: http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12828


NEW! Release of UNESCO/APC Multimedia Training Kit 

"The farmers' cooperative that uses our telecentre can never find the
information they want online. I want to offer them basic Internet
training but I don't have materials"

"A women's group I have trained has been offered a regular 15-minute
spot on a local radio show. They've asked me for a workshop on
script-writing but my experience is in writing for web, not radio"

More and more people are seeing the creative potential of linking the
Internet to more traditional communication technologies, particularly
radio and television.......

The UNESCO/APC Multimedia Training Kit (MMTK) provides trainers in
telecentres, community media organisations, and the development sector
with a structured set of materials to help make that jump between new
and traditional media or train in a new skill area. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12764


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

The APC Betinho Prize in 2003 recognises outstanding examples of
information and communication technology (ICT) use 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 


Two New Members Join APC: ZaMirNet, Croatia and the Foundation for Media
Alternatives, Philippines

Long-time Peace and Non-Violence Activists in Croatia - ZaMirNet 
ZaMirNET is a non-governmental organisation which facilitates the use of
ICT to create and disseminate information needed for the development of
the civil society in Croatia and its surroundings. The basic principles
of their work are "empowerment, non-discrimination, solidarity and
collaboration with groups and individuals devoted to the culture of
peace and non-violence". 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12835

Alternative Media Centre in the Philippines - FMA
The Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) is a nonprofit service
provider in the Philippines whose mission is to help civil society
organizations and other development-oriented organisations - in their
strategic and appropriate use of information and communications media
for democratization and people's empowerment.
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12259


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

-- APC ACTION AREA: BUILDING INFO COMMUNITIES -

NEW! APC invites you to an on-line learning event: Understanding Civil
Society Portals 

APC is holding an on-line learning event - *Understanding Civil Society
Portals* - from July 7 to 30. The learning event is based on the study
of the same name realized by APC one year ago in cooperation with five
model portals - ItrainOnline.org (international), WomensNet.org.za
(Southern Africa), UruguayTotal.com (Uruguay), Rabble.ca (Canada) and
ChangeNet.sk (Slovakia). 

Find out more about the event taking place online throughout July:
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12728


Stories from the Trenches: Activists at PrepCom2

In February 2003, APC attended the second preparatory meeting for the
World Summit on the Information Society to be held in Geneva in
December. Journalist, Maud Hand, accompanied our team and interviewed
several of the communications activists from other participating
organisations. These are the last of the stories to be published:

"How to Get Hold of a Book in Rural Zimbabwe"
'Never mind computers, for many of the people that we're dealing with in
the rural villages of Zimbabwe, getting their hands on a book is a major
event,' reflects Stella, a representative from the Africa Community
Publishing & Development Trust.

Stella is actually an alias for this impassioned activist who was
determined to attend the second preparatory conference for the World
Summit on the Information Society held in Geneva in February 2003
despite threats from Mugabe's administration warning her off liaising in
any way with the machinery of the United Nations. - Maud Hand for APC 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12595

"The Challenges for Women Working as Journalists in Mozambique" 
"Once it was decided to form a national media organisation to represent
our journalistic rights, I was naturally interested," reflects Maria
Karmilda Masinga, a broadcast journalist working for Mozambique Public
Radio in Maputo. Maria was the Mozambiquan MISA (Media Institute of
Southern Africa) representative at Prep Com 2 in February 2003.
Alongside her lively Southern African sisters, Maria's message was
simple when it comes to information and communication technologies. -
Maud Hand for APC
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12598

Interview with Maitreyi Doshi, Indian youth activist at the second
preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information Society 
'I'm here as a representative from 'Taking it Global' to help
co-ordinate the Youth Caucus at Prep Com 2 because I firmly believe that
the perspectives of young people have to be taken on board. We're the
future leaders and innovators in ICT so we're here to ensure that our
vision and ventures make an impact.' - Maud Hand for APC
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12806


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

-- APC ACTION AREA: INTERNET RIGHTS -

About the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) from Choike - A
Portal on Southern Civil Societies

A comprehensive, non-nonsense guide to the UN conference from APC member
in Uruguay, the Third World Institute (ITeM) in English and Spanish.
http://www.choike.org/cgi-bin/choike/links/page.cgi?p=ver_indepth&id=703
[English]
http://www.choike.org/cgi-bin/choike/links_esp/page.cgi?p=ver_indepth&id=647&cat=2
[Spanish]


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

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". 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12235


Comments on World Summit on the Information Society documents dated 21
March 2003 

"Whilst we welcome many of the principles outlined in the declaration,
there are critical issues which are not addressed sufficiently, if at
all. The document does not explicitly confront the fact that fundamental
political, social and economic inequalities shape our world. Nor does
the document adequately recognise the centrality of gender inequality to
broader social inequality. 

Increased access to knowledge, without greater access to power and
decision-making and the equitable redistribution of available resources,
is unlikely to result in reducing the gap between the powerful and the
powerless." 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12209


APC Womens' Programme Critiques the Draft Declaration and Action plan
Prepared for the UN "World Summit on the Information Society" 

APC Women's Programme criticises the WSIS declaration of principles
because it "does not explicitly confront the fact that fundamental
political, social and economic inequalities shape our world" and does
not "adequately recognise the centrality of gender inequality to broader
social inequality." Read the full comments.
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12233


Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa: Action plan and
debate in UK Parliament

The Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) in
conjunction with APC has completed an action plan for 2003-2005 and a
briefing on the state of FOSS in Africa. The foundation came into being
during a preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information
Society in February 2003 and now support for FOSSFA is being debated in
the British Houses of Parliament!
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12766


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

-- WOMEN & ICTs -

GEM - Gender Evaluation Methodology for ICT Initiatives - to be Released
at the UN World Summit on the Information Society

After four regional workshops in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Central
and Eastern Europe during 2002 and early 2003, the GEM for ICTs toolkit
is being reviewed with plans to release a final version at the United
Nations Conference "World Summit on the Information Society" in Geneva
in December.  

While the GEM tool is available online for anyone to download, since
last year tester organizations have been providing feedback from a
variety of ICT projects in order to test GEM's versatility and
durability. The organizations represent a broad range of ICT initiatives
in advocacy, training and education, women's communication and
information networks, employment, urban and rural telecentres, and
networking and community building.   Selected in addition for their
geographical diversity, the projects are based in 20 different countries
in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.  While
the majority work locally or nationally, five initiatives are
regional.   Projects range from a Mongolian distance education
initiative to an urban telecenter in Bogota, Colombia.
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12839


The Women's Electronic Network Training team is preparing for the annual
Asia Pacific training workshop

WENT is open to all women whose organisations play or will play a
significant role in promoting the use of information and communication
technology to enhance women's role and capacity in social and policy
advocacy, as well as to strengthen women's organisations and networks in
Asia and the Pacific.

Since 1999, WENT has trained over 100 women from 18 countries in the
Asia Pacific region. Pilot local/national WENT workshops were held in
2002, in The Philippines and Malaysia.

WENT2003 will be held in October, in South Korea. This year's training
Program includes Content Development, E-Commerce, and Trainers'
Training. APC member in Australia, c2o's Justina Curtis is a member of
the WENT training team. The team met in March 2003 (WENT Trainer Clinic
documentation) and a strategic and operational planning meeting is
scheduled July 2-7.

Application details will be available in August.


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

-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --

Special on Internet Governance and Civil Society: Chakula No. 6

In this month's APC Africa Internet Rights Newsletter 'Chakula' we focus
on the issue of  'Internet Governance' a term that is loosely used to
describe policy issues regarding the Internet. These include factors
such as management of Internet names and numbers, establishment and
management of policy-making bodies, and equity and representation
issues  within Internet policy-making bodies.

This newsletter also connects these issues to the ongoing process of the
World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) which has raised and made
various statements on the subject. The role of civil society
organizations in Internet governance is also explored with specific
focus on case studies from Kenya, South Africa and Brazil.
http://africa.rights.apc.org/newsletter.shtml


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

-- COLLABORATING OPPORTUNITIES -

AMARC: Seeking Secretary General 

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) is an
international non-governmental organization (NGO) that facilitates
cooperation, exchange and communication between community radio stations
around the world with the perspective to democratize communication.
AMARC has existed as a global movement for 20 years, and as an
international NGO for 15 years. 

The Secretary General is responsible for the coordination of all
organizational activities at the international level. The contract is in
Montreal, Canada for five years. 
Deadline: July 25
AMARC jobs: http://www.amarc.org/jobs 


Highway Africa Award for the Innovative use of New Media in Africa. 

This award is given annually at the Highway Africa conference to
recognize the creative, innovative and appropriate use of new media
technology in Africa. Judges are looking for innovative applications of
new media in African journalism. Awards are given in three categories:
individual/student, non-profit and corporate.  

Previous winners in the individual category include: Omololu Falobi from
Nigeria, who created an email distribution list to deliver a very
successful newsletter on Aids to his wider community and Africa
almanac.com, which focuses on the history, achievements, economic
developments, news, arts and culture of Africa.  
Deadline for nominations: July 31
Email nominations to highwayafrica@ru.ac.za 
Highway Africa: http://www.highwayafrica.org.za


ICT Stories Competition 2003: Seeking Nominations

Opportunities to learn from one's own experiences and to share the
experiences with others are an important means to strengthen respective
knowledge bases. Others find inspiration and can learn from those
successes and mistakes, without having to start a new project from
scratch, not knowing what others already know about the inherent risks
and costs, as well as about possible approaches to manage them. The ICT
Stories objective is to capture the learning process that accompanies
the introduction and implementation of ICTs in a project in exemplary
stories. 

Based on a set of criteria three winning stories will be selected by a
renowned jury. The writers of these stories will be given the
opportunity to travel to Switzerland to present their findings at the
ICT4D platform at the WSIS.
Deadline: September 30
More information: http://www.iicd.org/stories/
Email: stories@iicd.org


--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 
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 Aug 11 15:03:41 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] New training helps civil society understand ICT policy
Message-ID: <3F37A23D.DC57ADA4@apc.org>

PRESS RELEASE 
NO EMBARGO


New training pack helps civil society organisations understand how ICT
policy decisions affect their work 


JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 11 2003 -- APC and CTO are proud to
announce the
release of the "ICT Policy for Civil Society" training pack.  The pack
includes a curriculum and accompanying materials to build the capacity
of civil society organisations to understand and engage policy and
regulation related to information and communication technologies (ICTs). 

ICTs offer new ways of sharing information and building networks.  They
create significant opportunities for learning, building communities,
strengthening institutions, promoting transparency and participation,
campaigning and organising. Policy environments have direct impact on
these opportunities, and on civil society organisations' ability to take
advantage of them, particularly as internet and other ICTs are
increasingly regulated.  For example, unless policy and regulatory
frameworks break the stranglehold held by state or privately-owned
telecommunications monopolies (the case in many developing countries)
affordable internet access is not likely to become a reality. This is an
obvious example, but there are many others.  

Few citizens are aware of the policy developments taking place at the
global, regional and national levels that can impact on their ability
and/or potential to use ICTs as a tool, let alone own or control the
production and application of these technologies locally.  The goal of
this course is to build and strengthen civil society organisations'
awareness of, and confidence to engage in, internet policy processes.  

Leopold Rwevemamu from Tanzania took a course offered by APC using the
curriculum last month because, as the coordinator of DigIT Africa, a
non-profit promoting the use of ICTs for development, he wanted to
ensure that Tanzania's new ICT policy (http://www.moct.go.tz/ict)
"doesn't just gather dust on the shelves like other policies".  He says
he found the module on 'How laws and policy are made' particularly
useful. "The whole process was clearly mapped out as to where to lobby
to change and or make policy," he told APC. "I feel confident to do
lobbying at any level now." 

The pack includes a curriculum and training modules and materials that
can be used for either a five-day course or as stand-alone sessions
combined to meet specific training needs.  

Intended users:
Primarily civil society organisations who are concerned with the use of
and access to ICTs to promote development and human rights and who want
to advocate for more enabling policy environments.  The materials can be
easily customised and adapted to address specific audiences, for example
media workers, human rights organizations, internet service provider
associations or freedom of expression advocates.  It is also suited to
the needs of parliamentarians and private sector entities that want to
understand ICT policy better.

Course objectives:
To build the capacity and confidence of citizens to understand policy on
ICT issues and to engage in ICT policy processes so that they can: 
?	Improve their understanding of how laws and policies are made
including of the main ICT policies and policy-making institutions at
national, regional and global level
?	Demonstrate an understanding of the main elements of internet and ICT
technology, markets and governance
?	Explain key ICT policy areas, including universality, intellectual
property, language issues, indigenous knowledge and open source software
?	Demonstrate knowledge of the relevance of civil liberties issues in
the Information Age
?	Promote issues of inclusion, gender and development within ICT policy
?	Develop an advocacy strategy to get involved with ICT policy in their
country

Open content and plans for the future:
The curriculum and materials are freely available for any person to
download from the internet and use. APC asks that any adaptations,
translations or modifications be sent to apc-policy@apc.org so that they
can be shared as well. APC and our partners will be adding more modules
on different themes over time and customising the curriculum to suit
different geographic locations and audience such as journalists. We'll
also be providing versions in Spanish and French before the end of 2003. 

Training:
The course has so far been offered in Southern and Eastern Africa to a
range of stakeholders including trainers of trainers. We hope to run the
course in Latin America shortly.

Find out more about "ICT Policy for Civil Society" training pack: 
Visit: http://www.apc.org/english/capacity/policy/curriculum.shtml

To receive more information or to arrange training, please contact:
Claire Sibthorpe, APC Communications and Information Policy Programme
Manager
Email: 	apc-policy@apc.org
Tel: 	+27 11 726-1692 (South Africa)
Fax: 	+27 11 726-1692

Valeria Betancourt, APC Latin American ICT Policy Monitor Coordinator
Email: 	derechos.lac@apc.org
Tel: 	+593 2 222-8815
Fax: 	+593 2 255-9440 (Ecuador)

==============================================================================
The "ICT Policy for Civil Society" course has been developed by the
Association for Progressive Communications (APC) with the support of the
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). It is part of our
work to help civil society understand and ICT policy:
http://www.apc.org/english/capacity/policy/index.shtml

ABOUT APC: 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 (ICTs), especially
internet-related technologies. APC and its members pioneer practical and
relevant uses of ICTs for civil society, especially in developing
countries. 
APC: http://www.apc.org

ABOUT CTO: The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation is a
partnership between Commonwealth governments and telecommunications
businesses to promote ICT in the interests of consumers, businesses and
social and economic development.
CTO: www.cto.int

From khiggs at apc.org  Mon Sep  8 19:03:47 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] APC WNSP/GKP Gender and ICT Awards - applications by September 20
Message-ID: <3F5CC483.C8A7A074@apc.org>

APC WNSP AND GKP GENDER AND ICT AWARDS

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) play a growing role
in the world's societies, and have the potential to help disadvantaged
groups increase their participation in the civic, social, political, and
economic processes critical to achieving change.

However, women - particularly women in developing countries - don't
benefit from these new technologies, a reflection of the existing
unequal power relations in societies as a whole. 

ICTs can be used to either exacerbate or transform unequal power
relations. ICTs cannot create gender equality, or end poverty, but they
can be tools for social action and positive social change. 


The APC WNSP and GKP Gender and ICT Awards aim to honor and bring
international recognition to innovative and effective projects by women
to use ICTs for the promotion of gender equality and/or women's
empowerment. 

Specifically, the Awards' objectives are to:

?	Recognise gender and ICT initiatives globally and provide further
impetus for others to mainstream gender in the field of ICTs for women's
empowerment, and therefore support our advocacy work;
?	Provide a much-needed venue to recognise community-based or
small-scale initiatives designed and implemented by women and women's
organisations/networks; while providing recognition to larger scale but
cost-effective multi-stakeholder initiatives;
?	Provide much needed opportunities to develop new
collaborations/partnerships and opportunities for upscaling small-scale
and community-based initiatives. 
?	To increase the profile as well as knowledge and networking base of
both APC-WNSP and GKP in the area of gender and ICTs.

The awards are open to projects from all around the world. 

The Gender and ICT Awards will be launched, and winners will be
showcased and celebrated, at a special event and venue parallel to the
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Switzerland,
from December 10-12, 2003.

A prize of US$8,000 will be awarded to one winner in each of the
following four categories: 

Outstanding Multi-stakeholder Initiative 
?	Global/regional 
?	National/local 

Outstanding Individual or Community-Based Initiative 
?	Advocacy/Networking 
?	Capacity building 

One representative from each of the 4 winning initiatives will be flown
to Geneva for the awards celebrations in December.

The Gender and ICT Awards are sponsored by APC Women's Networking
Support Program (WNSP) and the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP). 

Submissions are open until: 20 September 2003
Further details: http://www.genderawards.net

From khiggs at apc.org  Mon Sep 15 20:02:00 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:29 2006
Subject: [APCPress] APCNews - September 2003 - No. 36
References: <3F65E554.61CDB80D@apc.org>
Message-ID: <3F660CA8.55D3F102@apc.org>

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 
          *APCNews, the monthly newsletter of the 
     Association for Progressive Communications (APC)*
               - September 2003 No. 36 - 
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 
-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS --
-- ICT POLICY & INTERNET RIGHTS --
-- WOMEN & ICTs --
-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --
-- IMPORTANT DATES --
-- SITES OF INTEREST --
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 

-- NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS -

Pro-Poor Satellite Broadcasting, Myth or Reality?

ALIN-EA (Arid Lands Information Network - East Africa), provides email,
Internet and digital satellite broadcasting in collaboration with the
WorldSpace Foundation. This technology allows users out in remote areas
to receive information from the Internet from a small radio which
receives signals from a satellite. By tuning special radios to track the
nearest satellite, people can receive over 40 channels of development
information, news and entertainment. When connected to a computer via an
adapter card, the radio receiver can be used to download information
that can later be stored, printed out or shared, using the electronic
mail. 

ALIN-EA has just published their research to assess the impact of, and
potential, for using this technology to enhance the sustainable
livelihoods of poor people in isolated rural communities in Kenya,
Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. We republish some of the report here. -
ALIN-EA
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=14072


Internet comes to rural Nigeria 

APC member in rural Nigeria, Fantsuam Foundation, has recorded yet
another first in rural ICT programs. Earlier this year, Fantsuam
launched a rural internet service. This is the first rural-based
internet access in Kaduna State, if not in Nigeria. This service is the
only one of its type available to hundreds of people who have to
otherwise undertake hours-long journeys to major cities, Jos, Abuja or
Kaduna in order to access the internet or their emails. - Fantsuam
Foundation
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=14076


Bulgarian NGOs launch Website to save precious environment 

A new Website has been launched to save the unique nature of the Kresna
Gorge in Bulgaria by diverting the proposed Struma Motorway. The
Bulgarian government plans to build the motorway, as part of a
trans-European corridor connecting Sofia and Athens, directly through
the valuable natural riches of Kresna Gorge and the town of Kresna. -
BlueLink/Save Kresna Gorge 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=13383


Technical training for unemployed Mexican youth

In the face of growing youth unemployment and school desertion, LaNeta,
APC member in Mexico, LaNeta, launched a technical training course for
under-privileged young people who have been unable to complete their
high-school education. The programme offered by LaNeta will train eighty
17-26 year olds over seven-months in basic computer training and a
specialisation such as web design. LaNeta's supporters include Mexico
City's National Institute for Adult Education. -- LaNeta
http://www.apc.org/espanol/news/index.shtml?x=13366 [Spanish] 


Thematic World Social Forum in Colombia on Democracy, Human Rights, War
and Drug Trafficking 

More than 4000 people from Colombia and abroad participated in
Colombia's first thematic world social forum. APC member in Bogota,
Colnodo, is the internet service provider of the Forum. - APCNews 
http://www.fsmt.org.co/presentation.htm


"Free Software and Digital Inclusion", a new book published in Brazil 

Two of the directors of APC member in Rio de Janeiro, RITS, are
co-authors of "Free Software and Digital Inclusion" which was published
in Brazil in August. "The book is an interesting project," says RITS
information coordinator, Graciela Baroni Selaimen, "and it's part of an
even more interesting much larger digital inclusion initiative by the
Sao Paulo e-government which is setting up community telecentres in
marginal and often violent neighbourhoods throughout the city." RITS is
administering the telecentres and providing training in the use of free
software. - APCNews 
RITS: http://www.rits.org.br

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

-- ICT POLICY & INTERNET RIGHTS --

WSIS Paris Intersessional: Political will for a more just world was just
not there

In the eighteen-month run up to the recent Intersessional meeting of the
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), governments have
grappled to reach consensus on the basic principles in the final WSIS
Declaration. The Intersessional proved a watershed of sorts, where the
political will of governments to ensure that the process contributes to
a fairer and more just world failed significantly. The objective of the
Intersessional for governments was clear - shorten the document, shunt
anything contentious off to other agendas (WTO, WIPO, ICANN etc), and
ensure a clearer and greater role for the private sector in an
unhampered free-trade environment, says APC. - APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=14097


New training pack helps civil society organisations understand how ICT
policy decisions affect their work 

APC and the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) are proud
to announce the release of the "ICT Policy for Civil Society" training
pack. The pack includes a curriculum and accompanying materials to build
the capacity of civil society organisations to understand and engage
policy and regulation related to information and communication
technologies.

Leopold Rwevemamu from Tanzania found the curriculum module on 'How laws
and policy are made' particularly useful. "The whole process was clearly
mapped out as to where to lobby to change and or make policy," he told
APC. "I feel confident to do lobbying at any level now." - APCNews
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=13474


Report on APC's third "ICT Policy for Civil Society" workshop: bringing
together East Africans to promote better ICT policy 

The third APC-lead 'ICT Policy for Civil Society' training course was
held in Kampala from 16 - 19 June 2003, predominantly for civil society
organisations in East Africa. Developed by APC through the support of
the CTO, the course is designed to build the capacity of civil society
organisations to understand policy and regulation related to information
and communication technologies so that they can begin to engage and
influence policy processes affecting ICT adoption and implementation at
national, regional and global levels. - APCNews 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=13400

Hadijah Namumbya, participant observer, reports on the course:
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=13402


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

-- WOMEN & ICTs -

APC WNSP and GKP Gender and ICT Awards

ICTs play a growing role in the world's societies, and have the
potential to help disadvantaged groups increase their participation in
the civic, social, political, and economic processes critical to
achieving change. However, women - particularly women in developing
countries - often don't benefit from these new technologies, a
reflection of the existing unequal power relations in societies as a
whole. 

The APC WNSP and GKP Gender and ICT Awards aim to honor and bring
international recognition to innovative and effective projects by women
to use ICTs for the promotion of gender equality and/or women's
empowerment and are open to projects from all around the world. A prize
of US$8,000 will be awarded to one winner in each of the following four
categories: Outstanding Multi-stakeholder Initiative; Outstanding
Individual or Community-Based Initiative; Advocacy/Networking; and
Capacity building.

The Gender and ICT Awards are sponsored by APC Women's Networking
Support Program (WNSP) and the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP). 
Submissions are open until: 20 September 2003
Further details: http://www.genderawards.net


APC-Africa-Women: Special on access and control of ICTs

The second edition of APC-Africa-Women's newsletter, Pula, explores the
concepts of access and control in relation to ICTs. In this edition, we
look at the convergence of radio and new media through an initiative in
Sierra Leone called 'Development Through Radio'. In our policy section,
we are taken through the major challenges that face African women's
effective use of ICTs. In 'ICT Champions', Karine M'Bengue talks about
an investigation into an ICT capacity development project for women's
organisations in Senegal. [English, French]
http://www.apcafricawomen.org/pula2.htm [English, French]


More than eighty men and women trained in the Andean region of South
America to plan gender-sensitive ICT initiatives

Six organisations are pilot testing GEM - the Gender Evaluation
Methodology developed by APC's Women's Programme (APC WNSP) to evaluate
ICT initiatives - in Latin America. In August four workshops were held
for the groups implementing GEM in the Andean region, to complement
three training workshops carried out in May. - APC WNSP
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=14086 


Latin American women debate gender, technology and the World Summit on
the Information Society in online forum

Over ten days in July, Latin American experts in gender and activists
debated and shared information online on "Gender, technology, the World
Summit on the Information Society and beyond". Participants underlined
that the WSIS draft declaration and action plan that have been worked on
by governments and commented on by other sectors -including women's
groups- over the last year STILL do not include gender concerns as a
cross-cutting issue that will allow the integration of women's concerns
and needs into the adoption and implementation of ICT policies
worldwide. 
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=14090 


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

-- ONLINE TOOLS & RESOURCES --

Beta release of Urdu-language font 

The Centre for Research in Urdu Language Processing at the National
University of Computer and Emerging Sciences has announced the beta
release of the character-based Nafees Naskh Open Type Font for writing
Urdu in Naskh script with full aerab support based on Unicode standard.
Nafees Naskh allows Urdu computing on multiple operating systems
including Microsoft 2000, Unix and Linux platforms. This font enables
desktop and internet publishing, and electronic communication in Urdu
using existing software (without any plug-ins) supporting OTF
specifications, e.g. MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook (email), Internet
Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla, MS PowerPoint. 

Nafees Naskh is freely downloadable from http://www.crulp.org and
http://www.nu.edu.pk.


Bridges.org: IICD Case Study Series on ICT-Enabled Development

Latest case study: The UUNET Bandwidth Barn - The Barn provides
infrastructure support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
focused on information and communications technology (ICT) products and
services in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.  The Bandwidth
Barn offers shared office space for these SMEs to reduce their overhead
costs for services like Internet connectivity, telephone, and reception,
and brings the benefits of "clustering" to the budding ICT sector in
Cape Town. 
http://www.bridges.org/iicd_casestudies/citi/

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

-- IMPORTANT DATES --

First African Conference on the Digital Commons
January 11-15 2004, Cape Town, South Africa

Organised by the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa
(FOSSFA), the African Virtual Open Initiatives and Resources (AVOIR)
project at the University of the Western Cape and the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the conference will address the
challenges and opportunities of the creation and use of free / open
source software and open content and their development potential for
Africa. 
http://idlelo.uwc.ac.za


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

-- SITES OF INTEREST --

Civil Society and the United Nations Summit on the Information Society
(WSIS) 2003 - coverage from APC

The rapid spread of ICTs, and the convergence (combined use) of
different media, is resulting in the emergence of new policies and
regulation. Policy decisions being made today will impact on the peoples
of the world's ability and potential to use ICTs as tools in their work
tomorrow. At the United Nations' World Summit on the Information Society
(WSIS), to be held in December this year, governments will sign a
declaration that will enhance or hinder access to ICTs for the vast
majority of the world's population. Visit APC's new web section on WSIS,
read civil society news, find resources and guides, and get involved! 

Civil Society at the WSIS: http://www.apc.org/english/wsis/
Detailed coverage in Spanish comes from APC's Latin America and
Caribbean ICT Policy Monitor site: http://lac.derechos.apc.org/wsis/


Africa Civil Society Caucus on WSIS

The Caucus website has been created to share and disseminate information
around the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) and especially of
direct relevance to Africa civil society organisations. On the site you
will the latest news and information including a list of civil society
organisations active on the caucus. Find mailing lists with information
on how to join current debates on the process and to contribute. 
The website was created by the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor Team and
APC member Econnect. http://www.wsis-cs.org/africa


--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 
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  Wed Sep 24 14:47:32 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:30 2006
Subject: [APCPress] New book highlights priorities for UN summit on info society
Message-ID: <3F71A074.1231B717@apc.org>

NO EMBARGO 

PRESS RELEASE 


NEW BOOK FROM COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVISTS HIGHLIGHTS PRIORITIES FOR WORLD
SUMMIT ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY


GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, September 24 2003 - "There is little doubt that
access to information and communications technologies (ICTs) is
expanding, yet this process excludes the majority of people in
developing countries.  Many who do have access are unable to use it
freely to promote their social, economic and political interests. When
people gain access to these technologies, it is mostly as consumers,
rather than owners or creators.  The growing concentration of ownership
and control of ICT can limit its remarkable potential for social
empowerment," says APC in a new book launched last week at the third
preparatory conference (PrepCom) in the run-up to the first ever United
Nations world conference on the information society.

At the United Nations' World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS),
to be held in Geneva in December, governments will agree on a
declaration and action plan that could enhance or hinder access to ICTs
for the vast majority of the world's population. The Association for
Progressive Communications (APC) and the CRIS Campaign have been
following the WSIS process and their publication - "Involving Civil
Society in ICT Policy: the World Summit on the Information Society" -
highlights some of the principal issues at stake.

"The information society, we are told, is a promise to all the
peoples of the world of untold benefits and promises for our future
however the reality is often much closer to a nightmare," says CRIS
Campaign Coordinator, Myriam Horngren. "As our mass media become more
and more sanitised and commodified, our airspace sold to the highest
bidders, our common knowledge and creativity get fenced off, we fear
that the information society is solely promoting the expansion of
corporate control at people's expense."


Who is this book for?

This book is aimed at people who want to advocate for more just and
enabling policy environments. It is designed to build awareness of and
capacity to engage in ICT policy-making spaces at international,
regional and national levels, including the WSIS.  


What does the book include?

Published in English, French and Spanish, the book includes a basic
orientation to the WSIS for non-governmental and non-commercial
participants as well as information about the CRIS campaign. It outlines
APC's perspectives on the WSIS which emerged from broad discussions and
consultations with APC members and other civil society groups from
Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.  It also includes the
views of the members of the APC Women's Networking Support Programme,
and draws on the collaborative work of CRIS and APC with other networks.
Key issues (including a reflection on the term 'information society',
intellectual property rights, and spectrum allocation) is covered by the
CRIS campaign.  A practical 12-page guide to organising a national ICT
policy consultation developed by APC accompanies the book. 


CONTEXT 

"Involving Civil Society in ICT Policy: the World Summit on the
Information Society" has been compiled by the Association of Progressive
Communications (APC) and the Campaign for Communication Rights in the
Information Society (CRIS). It is part of our combined efforts to ensure
that communication and internet rights are upheld and protected as
fundamental rights throughout the world. 

ABOUT APC AND CRIS

APC: The Association for Progressive Communications is an international
network of civil society organisations whose mission is to empower and
support organisations, social movements and individuals in and through
the use of information and communication technologies for social
justice, development and environmental sustainability. APC's vision is
of a world in which all people have equal and affordable access to the
creative potential of ICTs to improve their lives and create more
democratic and egalitarian societies.  APC is a founding member of CRIS.
www.apc.org

CRIS Campaign: Communications Rights in the Information Society (CRIS)
is an international campaign to ensure that communication rights are
central to the information society and to the upcoming World Summit to
the Information Society. The campaign is sponsored and supported by the
Platform for Communication Rights, a group of non-governmental
organisations involved in media and communication around the world.
www.crisinfo.org
For additional information about CRIS activities during the Summit
itself, visit the World Forum on Communication Rights' website:
http://www.communicationrights.org. The Forum will take place on
December 11 in parallel to the WSIS.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 

Karen Banks
APC WSIS Coordinator
Tel: +44 7712 553 582 
Email: karenb@gn.apc.org

Myriam Horngren
CRIS Advocacy and Network Coordinator
Tel: +44 777 185 6091
Email: mh@wacc.org.uk

Ms Banks and Horngren are currently attending WSIS PrepCom III and are
available for interviews.

Graphics available: contact khiggs@apc.org

From khiggs at apc.org  Thu Sep 25 21:58:09 2003
From: khiggs at apc.org (Karen Higgs)
Date: Wed Sep 20 17:45:30 2006
Subject: [APCPress] Re: [APCNews] New book highlights priorities for UN summit on info
 society
References: <3F71A074.1231B717@apc.org>
Message-ID: <3F7356E1.FD18C1C9@apc.org>

Involving Civil Society in ICT Policy: the World Summit on the
Information Society
APC/CRIS, 2003

Access to information and communications technologies (ICTs) is
expanding but the majority of people in developing countries are still
excluded, says APC. At the United Nations? World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS), held in Geneva in December, governments will
agree on a declaration and action plan that could enhance or hinder
access to ICTs for the vast majority of the world?s population. APC and
the CRIS Campaign have been following the WSIS process and our
publication ? ?Involving Civil Society in ICT Policy: the World Summit
on the Information Society? ? highlights some of the principal issues at
stake.

Download your copy in English, Spanish or French from:
http://www.apc.org/books

