APC Executive Board and Staff Meeting 14 – 25 March 2006, Ithala, South Africa APC overview

Association for Progressive Communications Understanding the APC The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment, through the strategic use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), including the internet.

Association for Progressive Communications Understanding the APC APC is a member network not a professional association We implement programmes and projects but we are not a big international NGO

Association for Progressive Communications Understanding the APC Members determine APC priorities, based on our values, mission and vision

Association for Progressive Communications We are a community with fluid borders that work in partnership with many others

Association for Progressive Communications The APC Vision A world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of ICTs to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies

Association for Progressive Communications How do we work towards this vision? POLICY Challenging digital exclusion and securing communication rights Monitoring Awareness Response Strategic Priorities Projects Programmes PRACTICE Facilitating creative use of ICTs at local level Tools Content Skills People

Association for Progressive Communications The APC Mission To empower and support organisations, social movements and individuals in and through the use of information and communication technologies to build strategic communities and initiatives for the purpose of making meaningful contributions to equitable human development, social justice, participatory political processes and environmental sustainability.

Association for Progressive Communications Our Network of Members Africa Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, S. Africa, Uganda, (DR Congo) Asia-Pacific Australia, Japan, Cambodia, S.Asia, Philippines, S.Korea Central and Eastern Europe Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, (Bosnia) Latin America Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela North West Europe Germany, Italy, Spain, UK North America Canada, USA

Association for Progressive Communications Some values that are important in the APC Local initiative and ownership Open content: sharing of information in the public domain Open source application development: sharing tools in the public domain Social equality and gender equality Peer support and community

Association for Progressive Communications Values contd. Collaborative work Inclusiveness and diversity Strengthening creativity and capacity Democratic, accountable and transparent governance ICT solutions should be appropriate and affordable Freedom of communications and information

Association for Progressive Communications APC Strategic Priorities Promote and facilitate strategic use of ICTs by civil society organisations Strengthen APC and civil society organisations role and engagement in ICT policy processes Growing and strengthening the network of CSOs promoting the use of ICTs for social justice and development

Association for Progressive Communications APC strategic priorities for Cross-cutting themes Our commitment to sustainable development Our commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment

Association for Progressive Communications How we organise our work Management systems –Finance, administration, human resources –Communications and membership participation –Fundraising and project development –Strategic management Programmes and projects that respond to strategic priorities and achieving broader impact Member-initiated activities

Association for Progressive Communications APC Management Systems Strategic management Networking and Advocacy Communications Media and Promotions Member Participation and Development Human Resources Finance and Administration Fundraising

Association for Progressive Communications APC Management Systems APCMS management team Executive Director - Networking and Advocacy Manager - Communications Manager - Finance Manager - Operations Manager -

APC Programmes Communications and Information Policy Build more inclusive ICT decision-making processes by facilitating civil society engagement through building their capacity and supporting advocacy, at national and international levels. Civil society inclusion in policy- making will lead to their involvement in implementing and monitoring policies, and ultimately to societies in which there is greater citizen participation.

APC Programmes Strategic Uses and Capacity Building Enable CSOs to make use of ICTs in ways that integrate well with their goals and needs and harness the potential for collaboration and change that can come from working in a networked environment. APC believes CSOs can become more than consumers of ICTs – they can shape technologies, applications and solutions and facilitate ICT developments that respond to needs of people who are not considered part of a significant market

APC Programmes APC Women's Networking Support To promote gender equality and women's empowerment through gender and ICT advocacy at all levels and the strategic use of applications and tools by women's movements to strengthen their networking. Specifically, to support women’s networking for social change through training, participatory research, evaluation, policy and advocacy in gender and information technology, information facilitation, and regional programme support. WNSP strives to challenge the inequities faced by women, especially in the South.

APC Programmes and Projects Communications and Information Policy programme Strategic Use and Capacity Building Women’s Networking Support LAC, Asia and Africa ICT Policy Monitors CATIA EED national ICT policy portals BCO national advocacy support WSIS research EASSy and SAT3 campaigns WSIS follow up Itrainonline BCO ActionKit MMTK Community Wireless Betinho and Hafkin Prizes Harambee Gender Evaluation Methodology APC Africa Women - WENT GenderIT portal GRACE Genardis Gender ICT awards Regional WNSP coordination

Communications and Information Policy Programme - CIPP Strategic Use and Capacity Building Programme - SUCB Women’s Networking Support Programme - WNSP APC Programme Managers

Association for Progressive Communications Services to members Fundraising support Content through RSS feeds APC ActionApps Itrainonline Promotion of member work (APC News) Workshops Facilitation of collaboration among members: APC member exchange fund

Association for Progressive Communications Services to members Opportunities to participate in meetings and events: APC travel grants Opportunities to participate in project implementation Online communities of practice Gender Evaluation Methodology practitioners network General advice and support

Association for Progressive Communications Strategic Priorities Key achievements during … … a few examples

Association for Progressive Communications Promoting and facilitating strategic use of ICTs by CSOs: key achievements Wireless training and materials FOSS: ActionApps APC prizes

Association for Progressive Communications Strengthening APC and CSOs’ role and engagement in ICT policy processes : key achievements International advocacy –WSIS –UNICT TF –WGIG –Financing WG CATIA advocacy campaigns in 5 countries GenderIT.org

Association for Progressive Communications Strengthening APC and CSOs’ role and engagement in ICT policy processes : key achievements Partnerships with a broad range of actors, e.g. through WSIS, CATIA and regional policy monitors

Strengthening the network of CSOs promoting the use of ICTs for social justice and development : key achievements 41 members - 6 new members since pending applications InsideAPC Travel fund Member exchange fund APC stand at WSIS a hub for southern CSOs Mobilising action on human rights in Tunis during Summit Partnerships with other networks

Internet and ICTs for social justice and development