[APCPress] New beginner's handbook aims to get more people involved in ICT policy

[Karen Higgs]

NO EMBARGO 

PRESS RELEASE 


NEW BEGINNERS' HANDBOOK AIMS TO GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN ICT POLICY


JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, December 18 2003 - "How information and
communication policy is decided today will shape the future of
contemporary societies," says APC in a new book presented at last week's
World Summit on the Information Society.

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) have become essential
tools for development and the degree of access to ICT, as well as
affordability of access, is largely determined by policy decisions taken
at the national, regional and international levels.  APC's new book "ICT
Policy: A Beginner's Handbook" lays out the issues and dispenses with
the jargon to encourage more people to get involved in ICT policy
processes. 

"ICT policy is not just about ICTs. It's about the kind of society we
want to live in," says book editor, Chris Nicol. "ICTs are determining
what kind of society we, and our grandchildren, will live in. It's up to
us to make sure they shape a better society, one that allows the
enormous benefits of ICTs to be shared by all."

"People and organisations can inform the debate with their experiences
and can in fact influence ICT policy decisions. We all have day-to-day
concerns about ICT policy, for example how much we have to pay for phone
calls and internet access," explains APC deputy executive director,
Sonia Jorge.  

"The APC handbook is not a map of the ICT policy terrain," stresses
Nicol, "but it *is* a compass."


Who is this book for?

This book will help people who feel that ICT policy is important but
don't know much about it. Readers will be non-specialists such as a
government official worried about a gap in her technical knowledge of
how the internet works, a human-rights worker concerned that his need to
send secure email is being challenged by national government policy, a
citizen fed up with paying exorbitant rates for dial-up internet access,
a journalist looking for background material, an activist who is unable
to perceive the real consequences of possible changes in government
policy on her online campaigning work, or anyone who wants to find out
about these new 'information society' debates that are beginning to make
the news more and more.  

"The handbook is intended to encourage people to speak out and ask
questions about ICT policies.  Greater public participation in policy
processes does not only lead to better policy, it involves citizens in
the implementation and monitoring of those policies," says APC Executive
Director, Anriette Esterhuysen.


What does the book include?

"ICT Policy: A Beginner's Handbook" takes the mystery out of ICT policy.
The handbook identifies those issues and addresses them without using
technical jargon. It provides concrete examples of recent policy
landmarks and debates, as well as background knowledge that will serve
as a basis for further investigation. Contributors include but are not
limited to Sean O Siochru, Kate Wild, Russell Southwood, Karen Banks,
Natasha Primo, Paul Hamilton, Anriette Esterhuysen, Chris Nicol, Paul
Mobbs, Claire Sibthorpe, Teresa Peters and Peter Benjamin. 


CONTEXT 

"ICT Policy: A Beginner's Handbook" is produced by the Association of
Progressive Communications (APC). It is part of our efforts to ensure
that communication and internet rights are upheld and protected as
fundamental rights throughout the world. 

In 2003, APC has produced a training curriculum, carried out training in
(so far) Latin America and Africa to educate civil society about ICT
policy, and produced several publications aimed at getting civil society
involved in ICT policy. 

Next year, we are planning to continue our advocacy work in the policy
area, globally and regionally, and will focus on increasing civil
society awareness and capacity to engage in policy processes at their
own national level.  We will focus our efforts on specific issues of
importance to civil society, including access and connectivity, free and
open source software, intellectual property rights, protection and
expansion of the public domain, and secure online communications. We
will conduct several ICT policy courses in Africa (under the CATIA
project) and planning similar activities in Latin America, Asia, and
Central and Eastern Europe.

"ICT Policy: A Beginner's Guide" would not have been possible without
the generous support of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation
(CTO). www.cto.int.


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. 
www.apc.org


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 

Download the book from: http://www.apc.org/books
Find out how to order a printed copy by writing to handbook at apc.org. 

Chris Nicol, Editor
Email: cnicol at pangea.org

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