APC's 2020-2023 strategic plan unfolded amid heightened global distress and a pervasive sense of uncertainty and rapid change, marked by the intensification of violence and an escalation of conflicts such as in Palestine, Israel, Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, and a protracted war in Ukraine. It is a context characterised by the rapid digitalisation and datafication of societies, scarred by the resurgence of right-wing nationalism and fundamentalism in many countries, alongside the legitimisation of misogyny and anti-rights discourses, the increasing precarity of Black, brown and diverse bodies, and with fragile economies in the global South attempting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout these four years we adapted and responded to unforeseen challenges by coming closer than ever to our members and partners, collectively gaining many valuable learnings that strengthened the fabric of civil society and actors working on digital rights and inclusion.
Read the full APC Annual Report 2023
In 2023, the APC network of 71 organisational members and 41 associates made significant strides in advancing digital rights, gender equality and environmental justice. Our multifaceted approach encompassed advocacy, research, capacity building and grassroots initiatives, creating a multiplying effect of collective power and positive change across the global South.
Advancing human rights in the digital age
The APC network’s efforts to advocate for human rights in digital spaces were far-reaching and interconnected. At the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, we brought discussions about technology-facilitated gender-based violence to the forefront. This set the stage for a year of impactful initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable groups in digital spaces.
The network’s commitment to human rights extended to several global policy spaces, including the UN General Assembly, UNESCO and the Human Rights Council. By actively participating in these forums, we ensured that digital rights remained at the forefront of international discourse.
Our advocacy included media freedom and combating digital authoritarianism. As part of the Hold The Line Coalition, APC contributed to the successful acquittal of Maria Ressa and the news outlet Rappler. This victory not only protected freedom of expression but also highlighted the interconnected nature of digital rights and democratic values.
APC’s human rights work also intersected with its efforts in internet governance. We provided civil society input into the zero draft of the Pact for the Future, an action-oriented document to be endorsed at the Summit of the Future in September 2024. This engagement demonstrated APC’s commitment to shaping global policy on digital rights.
Featured highlight: In response to ongoing crises, APC demonstrated its ability to mobilise and the network condemned violence against Palestinians and advocated for tech companies to respect Palestinian digital rights during times of crisis. We also urged 119 governments to respect human rights and international law at the UNGA emergency session on Gaza, showcasing the network’s global reach and influence.
Fostering internet governance and digital inclusion
APC’s work in internet governance was closely intertwined with its human rights advocacy.
The network’s engagement with the UN’s Global Digital Compact (GDC) was a cornerstone of its internet governance efforts in 2023, seeing it as an opportunity to reinterpret the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) vision and advance multistakeholderism as a basis for democratic digital governance. APC contributed to thematic deep dive sessions and was instrumental in facilitating informal consultations with member states and stakeholders from Africa, Asia and Latin America, emphasising the need for social, environmental and gender justice in digital policies. We brought a gender justice lens by working with members and partners on the drafting of 10 feminist principles for including gender in the GDC.
The network’s participation in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2023 in Kyoto, Japan, exemplified its comprehensive approach to digital issues. APC addressed critical topics such as digital inclusion, gender-responsive cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Executive director Chat Garcia Ramilo spoke at the High-Level Panel on WSIS+20, emphasising the importance of multistakeholder collaboration in effective implementation. To ensure diverse voices were heard, APC also facilitated the inclusion of activists from East Asia through its Local Sound Bites initiative, and launched "The IGF We Want" campaign, highlighting the value of this governance space and the importance of its renewal.
These efforts demonstrated APC’s commitment to inclusive and representative internet governance.
Featured highlight: The African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) 2023 further illustrated our regional approach, bringing together stakeholders and parliamentarians from 20 countries to help implement the African Union’s Data Policy Framework.
Empowering communities through connectivity
APC’s approach to digital inclusion evolved from supporting community networks to encompass community-centered connectivity and local services. This shift reflected a deeper understanding of the link between connectivity and broader social issues, including human rights and gender equality. The National Schools of Community Networks exemplified this evolved approach, training 105 people from 35 communities across five countries to become community network facilitators. This initiative not only promoted digital inclusion but also empowered local communities to take control of their digital futures.
The "Routing for Communities" podcast series highlighted this grassroots approach and further established the connection between community empowerment and digital rights. By sharing stories from 15 countries, the series demonstrated how community-driven digital inclusion efforts contribute to the broader landscape of digital rights and internet governance. These narratives not only inspired thousands of listeners but also demonstrated the tangible impact of community-driven digital inclusion efforts.
Featured highlight: APC members like Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) used subgrants to build community infrastructure, bringing internet access to underserved areas. In Kenya’s Sipili market, ALIN’s initiative has the potential to serve a population of approximately 27,000 people.
Championing gender equality and a feminist internet
APC’s commitment to gender equality was woven throughout its various initiatives. We developed a three-part framework for gender-responsive cybersecurity policy, providing a valuable resource for policymakers and civil society actors. This framework directly tied into our work on internet governance and digital rights.
The Safety for Voices initiative in its inaugural year supported 3,000 women human rights defenders through feminist holistic security in 43 countries, and developed knowledge on online violations and executed policy advocacy work at the UN and regional levels, along with subgranting for resilience building and safeguarding those at acute risk.
The Feminist Internet Research Network (FIRN) expanded its scope to the MENA region, publishing new research on digital violence against LGBTQI+ communities and women’s online freedom of expression. This research informed APC’s policy recommendations and advocacy strategies across various forums.
APC also brought a gender justice lens to the UN’s Global Digital Compact by working with members and partners on drafting 10 feminist principles for including gender in the GDC.
Featured highlight: The FTX 2023: Ctrl+Alt+Del global convening on feminist technologies and infrastructure in Sri Lanka served as a nexus for APC’s work on gender equality, digital rights and community empowerment. By bringing together feminist activists and technologists, the event fostered connections that will continue to inform future initiatives across APC’s areas of focus.
Connecting environmental justice and digital technologies
Recognising the intrinsic link between technology and environmental sustainability, APC launched initiatives that connected its work on digital rights with environmental concerns. The #EcoThursday series brought together activists, academics, and journalists to discuss issues such as anti-extractivism in ICTs and the local impacts of the oil industry.
The network also developed a draft Feminist Principle of the Internet on Environment, providing a framework for women's movements to explore issues related to technology, digital rights and the environment. This principle maps a way forward for engaging in policy spaces, donor advocacy and public awareness campaigns, demonstrating the interconnectedness of environmental justice, gender equality and digital rights.
Featured highlight: APC members like Acción Ecológica in Ecuador used subgrants to raise awareness about the social and environmental consequences of extractivism while promoting post-extractivist proposals. This work highlighted the importance of considering environmental impacts in the development and deployment of digital technologies.
Building collective power through network collaboration
The strength of APC’s impact lies in its network of members and partners, with collaborations spanning across multiple focus areas. Throughout 2023, numerous members utilised APC subgrants to implement impactful projects in their local contexts. For instance, AlterMundi in Argentina made progress in developing a community currency and exchange system, tying into APC’s broader goals of digital inclusion and community empowerment.
Featured highlight: The Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) in India organised events like the 7th Community Network Xchange and the 5th Digital Citizen Summit 2023, fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration across APC's focus areas. Jokkolabs Banjul implemented a campaign to combat online gender-based violence against female activists in The Gambia, informing the Ministry of Gender and Women Affairs and other key stakeholders with updated data and insights. TEDIC in Paraguay implemented partnerships to promote online and offline safety for LGBTQI+ activists, connecting APC’s work on gender equality with digital rights initiatives.
These initiatives, among many others, demonstrated the power of collective action in addressing complex digital challenges.
Looking ahead: Collectively organising to advance digital and internet rights
As the APC network forges ahead, it continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of digital and internet rights, with initiatives and a new strategic plan that connects critical areas of focus. Our work in 2023 exemplifies the power of networked action in advancing digital inclusion, internet rights, gender equality and environmental justice. These efforts draw upon the network’s experiences and successes across various initiatives, from community empowerment to gender equality and environmental justice.
Our ongoing work on the UN’s Global Digital Compact (GDC), the WSIS+20 review process and the IGF+20 consultation in 2024 and beyond position us well to continue building common agendas and engage in collective organising. By fostering collaboration, empowering communities and advocating for inclusive policies, APC continues to be a driving force in creating a more equitable and sustainable digital future for all. The network’s holistic approach to connect disparate issues and stakeholders demonstrates the interconnected nature of digital rights and the importance of addressing these challenges through a multifaceted, collaborative strategy.
The year 2023 was the last of APC’s previous strategic cycle, begun during a global pandemic and further marginalisation of already vulnerable communities, challenging us to navigate new permutations of familiar conundrums. Our network’s achievements in 2023 also set up the process for APC to adopt and begin executing a new strategic plan in 2024, designed through a consultative process with staff, the Board of directors, members and partners. In this new strategic cycle, we aim to refocus our vision and mission to leverage the strength of our network to shift the systems of oppression and inequality perpetuated by digital technologies, and strengthen collective organising to advocate for inclusive, right-based internet agendas.