The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international network of civil society organisations founded in 1990, dedicated to empowering and supporting people working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment, through the strategic use of information and communications technologies (ICTs). We work to build 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.
APC's strength lies in the fact that we don't get excited about the internet for the internet's sake. We are committed activists who want to use it to make the world a better place.
We help people to get access to the internet where there is none or it is unaffordable, we help grassroots groups use the technology to develop their communities and further their rights, and we work to make sure that government policies related to information and communication serve the best interests of the general population, especially people living in the global south.
A diverse and grounded community
People-centred technology innovators and practitioners
A human rights and feminist network
Policy change actors
A bridge builder, connector and convener.
The APC vision
Our vision is for people to use and shape the internet and digital technologies to create a just and sustainable world, leading to greater care for ourselves, each other and the earth.
The APC mission
Our mission is to create a just and sustainable world by harnessing the collective power of activists, organisations, excluded groups, communities and social movements, to challenge existing power structures and ensure that the internet is developed and governed as a global public good.
Our structure
APC programmes
Social and environmental justice programme
Local access programme
Women's rights programme (WRP)
Safety for voices initiative (SVF)
APC council
Communications and network development
Communications
Network and membership development
Strategic leadership
Director of operations
Executive director
Operations and organisational development
Development and resource mobilization
Finance
People, systems and operations
Technical systems and support
Board of directors
Our values
- Local initiative and ownership
- Freedom of expression, communication and information
- Open content and open standards
- Free and open source software
- Social and gender equality
- Collaboration and partnership
- Inclusiveness and diversity
- Creativity and capacity building
- Democratic, accountable and transparent governance
- Appropriate and affordable ICT solutions
Consultative status to the United Nations
We are an active participant in high level international ICT policy discussions, and were granted category one consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1995.
Legal status
APC was founded in 1990, operating as a partner of the Tides Foundation until 1998. On 5 May 1998, APC incorporated as a California non-profit, public benefit corporation (number 2082086)
and is a tax-exempt charity (number CT0248541) under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. APC operates as an international network, with a principle office in South Africa.