For those of us who have access to it, the internet has become an essential part of our daily information and communication needs. However millions of people still do not have affordable, reliable or sufficient connectivity. APC believes the internet is a global public good. Founded in 1990, we are an international network and non-profit organisation that wants everyone to have access to a free and open internet to improve our lives and create a more just world.

What people say about APC / What the media says about APC

Promoting the use of free software in Nigerian communities builds wealth

6 October 2016 (Olga Tsafack-Koloko and Mallory Knodel for APCNews)

Every year since 2004, on the third Saturday in September, hundreds of events are organised in dozens of cities around the world to increase “awareness of free software and its virtues” and to encourage use of free/libre and open source software (FLOSS) in a global event called Software Freedom Day.

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Africa gets ready for exciting events on internet governance

6 October 2016 (Olga Tsafack-Koloko for APCNews)

APC is gearing up for three exciting events starting soon in Durban, South Africa: the African Gender and Internet Governance eXchange (gigX), the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) and the African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF).

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Mohammed Maskati: "Digital security is still considered something cool and fancy and not taken seriously"

TUNIS 5 October 2016 (Leila Nachawati Rego for APCNews)

APCNews spoke with Mohammed al-Maskati, a renowned Bahraini human rights defender and digital security consultant for Front Line Defenders, during the recent Internet Governance in the Middle East and North Africa (IGMENA) Summit in Tunis.

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Landmark HRC resolution condemns threats to women journalists and restrictions on encryption

30 September 2016 (APC for APCNews)

The UN Human Rights Council passed a groundbreaking resolution today concerning the safety of journalists. APC welcomes this landmark resolution, in particular its condemnation of the specific attacks on women journalists, its recognition that encryption and anonymity tools are vital for the work of journalists, and its call on all states to release arbitrarily detained journalists.

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At the Internet Governance Middle East and North Africa Summit: What is the role of civil society?

TUNIS 29 September 2016 (APC)

“Together for a free and open internet” is the motto for this year’s IGMENA Summit, an event bringing together more than a hundred digital rights activists, human rights defenders, journalists and other stakeholders around internet rights and internet governance in the Middle East and North Africa, between 30 September and 2 October in Tunis.

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The question of the day: How to protect human rights online while countering violent extremism?

26 September 2016 (Deborah Brown and Rafik Dammak for APCNews)

Among the more than a dozen reports from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that were discussed last week at the Human Rights Council, one addressed a topic very relevant to internet policy and regulation: how to protect and promote human rights while preventing and countering violent extremism.

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Internet rights at the Human Rights Council 33rd session

GENEVA 13 September 2016 (Deborah Brown (APC) and Peter Micek and Christy Provines (Access Now) for APCNews)

The 33nd session of the Human Rights Council is taking place 12-30 September 2016, and will address the human rights situation in numerous countries where rights violations extend to the online environment. This session will also consider a number of thematic reports that recognise the importance of ICTs for the full realisation of human rights.

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APC condemns the affront to democracy in Brazil

5 September 2016 (APC)

APC firmly condemns the decision of the Brazilian Senate to dismiss President Dilma Rousseff. We are deeply concerned about the implications this will have for the possibility to reinforce the use of the internet as a platform for public deliberation and debate, accountability, and dissent, and for the realisation of human rights.

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AWID International Forum in Brazil will explore how feminists engage with the internet

COSTA DO SARUÍPE 2 September 2016 (APC)

Feminism – in all of its diversity and creativity – will be at the heart of engagement with technology from 8 to 11 September in Costa do Saruípe, Brazil. APC’s Women’s Rights Programme will be at the 13th AWID International Forum, bringing together activists, researchers and techies to work on advancing a feminist internet.

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Pakistan's human rights record under scrutiny at the Human Rights Committee

1 September 2016 (APC, Bytes for All, Pakistan and Media Matters for Democracy )

The manner in which the government of Pakistan orchestrated the forceful enactment of the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act is demonstrative of its blatant disregard for human rights and due process. APC, Bytes for All, Pakistan and Media Matters for Democracy worked on a joint submission to the Human Rights Committee, presenting a detailed picture of the practices that impact internet rights in Pakistan.

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FeministInternet.net is here!

31 August 2016 (APC for APCNews)

Version 2.0 of the Feminist Principles of the Internet is already out, and it has a new online platform that allows you to contribute to the collective construction of the Principles. Visit FeministInternet.org and help us shape the internet we want!

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APC promotes the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms at Highway Africa

26 August 2016 (APC for APCNews)

Highway Africa, a conference at the centre of Africa’s debates on journalism, media and information and communications technology (ICT), has become the largest annual gathering of African journalists in the world. APC is participating as part of our efforts to promote the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms.

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(Re)coding power: Hacking, occupying and creating a feminist internet

24 August 2016 (APC WRP for AWID)

The APC Women’s Rights Programme will be hosting a one-day pre-event on 7 September at the AWID Forum to Imagine a Feminist Internet. Join us to share your ideas and activism on feminism and technology.

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Job opportunity at APC: Africa Policy Coordinator

24 August 2016 (APC for APCNews)

Contribute to building an open and free internet which promotes social justice by joining APC to coordinate its internet policy work in Africa. The purpose of the position is to coordinate implementation of APC’s internet policy, internet rights, internet governance and networking activities in Africa. The deadline for applications is 2 September 2016.

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The Feminist Internet Exchange at the 13th AWID International Forum

19 August 2016 (AWID)

From 8 to 11 September, in Costa do Saruípe, Brazil, we will hold a space that puts feminism – in all of its diversity and creativity – at the heart of engagement with technology, bringing together activists, researchers and techies working on advancing a feminist internet. You’ll get new ideas, inspiration and maybe even potential collaboration!

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What people say about #APC25

"I congratulate APC on their 25th anniversary, which was celebrated in Brazil. But surely it is more than 25 years. Here is my small story. I joined Homeonet in 1987 from Manchester, and spectacularly was able to obtain a rare homeopathic medicine for my friend the late David Warkentin. I obtained it from England as he could not find it in California. We both said Hurrah and became friends, not just virtually but stayed in each others houses and worked together on software for homeopaths which is still running. BIG thanks for being there." -- Francis Treuherz

"When I was working for SANGONeT in the early 2000s, I was invited to give a presentation at an APC workshop in Johannesburg. I forget what I spoke about. All I remember was: Colour. A wash of colour. Hair, clothes, accents, perspectives. And the energy was different to what I was used to. So many people, from so many different countries - it blew me away. A few years later, I started working on APC projects as a freelancer, and then later as a staff member too. That sense of colour has never gone away. APC has connected me to different cultures in ways that are profound, and unusual. It's something that feels so ordinary now for me, but I don't think it is. Coming from such an inward-looking country, it has been a great richness to connect outwards." -- Alan Finlay, South Africa

"As an individual, APC has given me the opportunity to meet different people and share with them on different subjects. As an organisation, we have opportunities through APC to meet different organisations, build South-South and North-South project collaborations, and use face-to-face meetings to get to know each other and share our common views on how ICTs can better improve the lives of communities and citizens. Joyeux Anniversaire, APC!" -- Avis Momeni, PROTEGE QV, Cameroon

"I think that the main contribution made by APC has been to increase the visibility of the role of civil society organisations in setting the agenda for building the information society from a human rights-based perspective." -- Eduardo Rojas, Fundación REDES, Bolivia

"APC is a meeting and learning point, a point for sharing experiences, processes, results and objectives. And also a coordinating point for local, regional and global efforts." -- Mario Morales, Colombia

"As far as I am concerned, APC has given me the opportunity to take part in trainings and to increase my skills in ICTs and related aspects. Through the various events I have attended, I have been able to meet with people, share and gain experience, and gradually become a knowledgeable digital security trainer. I know many more opportunities are still to come, so Happy Anniversary and long live the opportunities and partnerships provided by APC! :) -- Olga Balbine Tsafack, PROTEGE QV, Cameroon"

"I do feel very happy and proud of the work we did with APC. For me and other technicians involved in this huge project, it became a way of life." -- Cristina Vasconi Nicarao — Nicaragua

“I believe APC played a much larger role in the evolution of the internet than most commentators and historians have mentioned" -- Ian Peters, founder of Pegasus

“After the Berlin Wall fell, NGOs were almost desperate to connect with one another within their countries, among their countries and with Western Europe, North America and others. APC node ZaMirNET in the former Yugoslavia was essential to helping women activists for peace connect during the conflict in the Balkans." -- Victoria Vrana

For the past several decades, APC and its member organisations have played a leading role establishing the first internet service in many countries, creating and promoting the first Internet Rights Charter, and helping individual activists, NGOs, and UN organisations and events harness of the power of the internet as a force for positive change in the world.” -- Peter Gabriel

"I am very proud to be part of your big family and have such great shared space to express myself as woman and as activist for marginalised culture. So, in our Tamzight language: “assegas dan mar APC” (happy new year, APC :)" -- Maha Jouini, Tunisia

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Brief history of APC

Brief history of APC from APC on Vimeo.