About IGC

Beginning in 1987, the Institute for Global Communications (IGC) played a formative role in bringing advanced communications technologies to grassroots organizations worldwide working for peace, human rights, environmental sustainability, women's rights, conflict resolution and worker rights. Our flagship global computer networks -- PeaceNet, EcoNet, WomensNet, ConflictNet, LaborNet and AntiRacismNet -- became trademark names in the struggle for democratic use of the media and the world's communications infrastructure. At its peak in 1998, IGC had over 35 full-time staff members.

Many things have changed since then. ConflictNet doesn't exist anymore. LaborNet left the IGC Networks to pursue its own mission. AntiRacismNet is the newest, thriving IGC Network pursuing a global anti-racism agenda.

IGC no longer offers Internet dial-up or mailing list services. It has formed partnerships with EarthLink and Topica.com to fill the gap. IGC continues to offer web hosting services to nonprofit groups, individuals, and small companies.

The year 2002 marked the 15th anniversary of the founding of IGC, and we're taking this early opportunity to announce a new beginning for the organization. We have completely rebuilt the IGC Progressive Gateway Website. We are partnering with eGrants to offer secure online credit card transaction services for nonprofits. We have completely revamped our webhosting infrastructure to improve our hosting services and are accepting new website hosting customers. We believe the progressive community has both the need and the desire for reliable, private, and low cost services provided by a non-profit.

Most importantly, as part of our new beginning we want to reconnect the community that was and is IGC. There are thousands of progressive people who continue to use the @igc.apc.org domain name with pride. Over 250 nonprofit organizations host their websites with IGC. We have been reinvigorated and refocused by the events of September 2001 to intensify our efforts to make an impact on the world.

History of IGC

In 1987, the Institute for Global Communications (IGC) was formed to manage PeaceNet and the newly acquired EcoNet. EcoNet was the world's first computer network dedicated to environmental preservation and sustainability.

IGC regards international cooperation and partnership as essential in addressing problems of 21st century. IGC broadened its reach in 1988 to include international membership and began to collaborate with like-minded organizations outside the United States. The first international link was made with GreenNet in the U.K. In 1989, IGC added Internet e-mail to its services.

In partnership with six international organizations, IGC co-founded the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) in 1990. APC is an international coalition of progressive computer networks and to date includes 25 wholly autonomous but affiliated members and 40 partners. APC provides effective and efficient communications and information-sharing tools to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and citizen activists working for social change in more than 130 countries.

Since 1992, IGC and its APC partners have been the primary information and communications service provider at UN world conferences, including the 1992 United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the 1993 United Nations Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo and the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing.

ConflictNet, incorporated by IGC in 1989, to provide information and communications for people by promoting the constructive resolution of conflict is now enfolded in the PeaceNet network. LaborNet, a full network of IGC from 1992 through August 1999, serves the labor community by working for the human rights and economic justice of workers.

WomensNet was launched in early 1995. WomensNet is an online community of individuals and organizations who use computer technology to advance the interests of women worldwide. WomensNet played a key role in disseminating information at the World Conference on Women in Beijing and to the outside world as well.

IGC's newest partnership with Project Change brings AntiRacismNet into our family of progressive networks. AntiRacismNet provides information and technical support for those interested in issues of civil rights, racism and diversity related issues. For anti-racism advocates, this network also offers a directory of antiracism/social justice organizations, resource links and an events calendar.

IGC Internet is a project of the Tides Center, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.

IGC Advisory Board

Mark Graham, Board Chair Vice President of Technology, iVillage, The Women's Network, New York
Bennett Haselton, Webmaster, Peacefire.org, Seattle
Josh Knauer, CEO GreenMarketplace.com, and Founder of Envirolink Network
Allan Hunt-Badiner, Writer, Ecological Activist, and Web Architect, Big Sur
Jillaine Smith, Communications & Organization Development Consultant, Washington DC
Shirley Strong, Executive Director, Project Change Anti-Racism Initiative, San Francisco

Institute for Global Communications
P.O. Box 29047
San Francisco, CA 94129-0047
support@igc.apc.org
Web Hosting Support: http://support.igc.org