[APCPress] APCNews - June 2003 - No. 35

Tue Jul 8 14:05:08 BST 2003

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          *APCNews, the monthly newsletter of the 
     Association for Progressive Communications (APC)*
                   - June 2003 No. 35 - 
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-- 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 -
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-- 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

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-- 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

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-- 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

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-- 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

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-- 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.

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-- 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

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-- 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 at 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 at iicd.org

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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.