Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
Website: http://www.apc.org/
Category: Internet
Year of Foundation: 1990
Location of Foundation: San Francisco, CA, USA
Location of Headquarters: Melville, South Africa
Brief Description: The Association for Progressive Communications describes itself as '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.' (source: www.apc.org; accessed 27 April 2010).
Founding Rationales:
According to one of the founders of APC, Mitra Ardron, some of the initial purposes for the organization included: '1) to technically assist new networks to get started and 2) to do joint development work' as well as 'coordination' of 'common development work', 'priorities ... set on an international basis', 'a technical team paid for centrally', 'accountability', 'fund raising', sharing expertise, 'a size and visibility which its members, especially new ones, lack' to boost ability to negotiate with other organizations, obtaining consultative status with IGOs, and ensuring that resources are 'fully utilised'.
Source: 'APC Proposal' (?1988) at www.mitra.biz (accessed 27 April 2010).
Evolution of Membership (Organizations):
Sources: www.apc.org/en/pubs/annualreports; www.apc.org/en/members; and www.apc.org/about/history/first-decade (accessed 27 April 2010).