[AfrICANN-discuss] Mexico City '09

Mon Mar 2 00:52:59 SAST 2009

Dear Kitim et al,

Thank you for keeping us updated so far.....before things pick up speed in a
matter of hours while you are there.

One small request: The Public Forum - I know about the amount of pressure
one feels to summarize their presentation but, may I personally request you
to persist for a response about that Policy Issue I have posted to this
forum? It is very important to pursue the development of marginalised
regions as the Strategic Plan had identified; It is AR's Departmental
undertaking I am therefore not expecting her to more than an ICANN Staff is
obliged to do: I wish those who are there to queue and seek for a response
or even get the ICANN Board pick it up for a follow up....

Furthermore, I do expect GAC members to raise this in Public since they have
their mandate ie representation of their respective Govt business  as Civil
Servants (no Public Talk!) but I am sure vthey will pick the issue up and
present it to their respective Governments as they deem fit to do (in their
Regulator's capacity)

Whew! that is all for a reminder for now.

"If you dont ask - no one will know what is in your mind" that is as obvoius
as that.

Wish you a productive ICANN Mexico!

Yassin Mshana

2009/3/1 Katim S. Touray <kaamt at yahoo.com>

>   Dear all,
>
> Thanks so much to all of you on your replies to my earlier posting about
> our participation at the ICANN Mexico City meeting.  It's obvious I rattled
> a huge box of issues, some of which are very difficult; even embarrassing.
> I'd like to briefly respond to them as best as I can.
>
> In the first place, let me say that I appreciate the concerns expressed
> about the difficulties that many experience in trying to attend ICANN
> meetings.  The problem is a serious one, and worse, something that's not
> only unique to ICANN.  Indeed, some of you might have seen a similar
> discussion recently on the Science, Technology, and Innovation for
> Development in Africa (STI4D-Africa) list when people were invited to attend
> the upcoming CODIST meeting (http://www.uneca.org/codi/).  There too, the
> problem many people had was a desire to attend, without the means to do so.
> The problem is lack of resources; specifically, poverty.  It's a broader
> issue which, in my view, needs to be taken head-on with a view toward seeing
> how our participation at regional and international meetings can be
> improved, and in a sustainable manner.
>
> There was also the issue of how people can participate remotely in ICANN
> meetings.  As you might know, one of the major efforts of ICANN is to
> improve and increase public participation in its affairs.  For this reason,
> a recent re-organization of the Committees of ICANN's Board resulted in the
> creation of a Public Participation Committee, of which I am a member.  In
> the same vein, the Mexico City meeting will include a session on public
> participation at which people will be expected to provide feedback and
> suggestions on how to improve public participation in ICANN.  In addition,
> the ICANN Web site now includes a public forum (
> http://mex.icann.org/public-forum), that is not only informative, but also
> interactive.  You can submit a question at the Thurs. (Mar. 5) public forum
> by using the online question box provided.  Unfortunately, the deadline for
> submitting questions on the application guidebook was about an hour ago
> (Mexico City time), but I'm sure you can have other avenues to submit
> whatever questions you have.  I thus suggest that anyone who has questions
> they want to ask at the public forum do so online, and please bear in mind
> that the deadline for submission of questions is Wedns. (Mar. 4) again at 5
> PM local time (i.e. UTC -6 hours).
>
> I guess that's about all for now.  Please let's not give up.  As Dr. Yassin
> Mshana, and Anne-Rachel have indicated, we need to work hard at increasing
> our participation, even if it means doing so remotely, rather than in
> person. And let's not forget, it is only through participation that we have
> a good chance that we can achieve the results we desire.  Otherwise, we'll
> be at the mercy and sympathy of others.
>
> Again, thanks so much for all your comments and feedback, and best wishes
> in your endeavors!
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Katim
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* Dr Yassin Mshana <ymshana2003 at gmail.com>
> *To:* vika at zadna.org.za; africann at afrinic.net
> *Sent:* Wednesday, February 25, 2009 6:18:36 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [AfrICANN-discuss] Mexico City '09
>
> Dear all, with much respect to all the views that have been shared under
> this topic, the issue of "effective" participation is very important and
> capacity to trail the venues is not there. It could be there but not for
> those who would effectively represent the Region in addition to the
> representatives of Af*** constituents.
>
> Remote participation is also as effective as physical - what matters much
> is a followup of deliberations etc after the Big meeting!
>
> The Fellowship initiative is, I believe, one of the efforts made to boost
> up Af - Regional participation (I attended ICANN Lisbon through that
> arrangement) The outcome of that meeting was to give mscules to At-Large
> group - that is why we have this forum.
>
> By asking for what message or concerns to carry to Mexico City, our
> colleagues are asking us to participate through them since they will be
> rubbing shoulders with others during the Proceedings.
>
> I n that case; scathing ICANN at this stage is not fair to the colleagues
> - please give your aspirations, opions and views. To begin I have
> ONE question to be carried forward, *" The ICANN Strategic Plan 2007 (or
> 2008?) had a component to boost under-served/ under-respresented Regions
> through its Outreach Policy: How far has that implementation gone?
> *
> Will someone get a response to that during Public Forum please? not at
> individual constituent meetings. Or maybe this has been raised at som point
> during the years? (apologies - pse direct me)
>
> Well done all!!
>
> Yassin Mshana
>   2009/2/25 Vika Mpisane <vika at zadna.org.za>
>
>>  Good points you got there, Michuki, as much as I concede that Maye &
>> Alaa
>> are raising genuine concerns too.
>>
>> To echo your view, the issue of ICANN meetings "touring" different regions
>> should not cloud the main issue with Africa in global Internet governance
>> fora. Our own African meetings (AfriNIC, AfNOG, AfTLD, etc) are usually
>> disappointing in terms of people numbers, and the question is always the
>> same: where is Africa's commitment & presence to contribute to the global
>> Internet dialogue?
>>
>> Are we as Africans always going to rely on fellowships to attend our own
>> regional meetings? We honestly do need to have a closer look at ourselves
>> &
>> realize that ICANN is not our main problem, but we are becoming our own
>> enemies! In the process Africa's voice becomes weaker & weaker.
>>
>> We don't seem to contribute enough in a number of ICANN & IGF discussions.
>> What is our position in relation to the forthcoming new gTLDs? Won't the
>> new
>> gTLDs really cause African ccTLDs to struggle even more than they are
>> struggling because of .com, .org & .net? What is our view? Can't we find
>> ways to contribute to discussions even when we can't physically be at
>> ICANN
>> & IGF meetings? Remember you can still follow most of these meetings
>> online.
>>
>> What about the IDN fast-track process? Does it suit us? We need Africa's
>> views here!
>>
>> The ICANN Regions issue has re-surfaced & raised its somewhat ugly head
>> again. In the process, some outside have tried to explore splitting Africa
>> into divisive regions such as Arab Africa, French-speaking Africa, etc!
>> What
>> are we saying about this? I'm happy that the Egyptian government (I'm
>> told)
>> has been quick to stand against any division of Africa.
>>
>> The point here is this: it's not as important where ICANN meetings go
>> (although I sure hope we can find ways of regulating this as some of these
>> meetings really hit on our budgets!), what's important is our ability (or
>> lack of it) to contribute to & influence the Internet dialogue.
>>
>> But yes, something must be done about the globetrotting nature of ICANN
>> meetings. No offence, Anne-Rachel & Baher:-)
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Vika Mpisane
>> .za Domain Name Authority
>> Tel: +27 11 275 0082
>> Fax:+27 11 234 5022
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: africann-bounces at afrinic.net [mailto:africann-bounces at afrinic.net]
>> On
>>   Behalf Of Michuki Mwangi
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:02 PM
>> To: africann at afrinic.net
>>   Subject: Re: [AfrICANN-discuss] Mexico City '09
>>
>>  Hi all,
>>
>> While this sort of digresses from the issues raised by Katim, i would
>> seek to beg your indulgence on this for one minute. The reason being
>> that the issue of participation at ICANN meetings has come up at the
>> ccNSO and other constituencies in the past. This also affects all other
>> regional meets especially within the Af* (AfriNIC, AfNOG, AfTLD, etc).
>>
>> The question here is we are quick to point at the ICANN model (fair
>> enough). But we still lack in numbers and participation at regional
>> events where such issues need to be discussed. There are those who will
>> attend but we are still few in numbers, our contributions to the
>> discussions on and off the lists are still wanting in many spaces
>> (AfriNIC is doing a good job i must say). But still ...
>>
>> My question is - what would make us consider the meetings any different
>> regardless of who is organizing them and increase our participation
>> levels and also our contributions as well.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Michuki (speaking for himself today!.)
>>
>>
>>
>> Maye diop wrote:
>> > Totally aggree with Alaa.
>> > I think we have to take opportunity of re-organisation of AU to put
>> agenda
>> > of  ICT meeting at expert level in the continent for our own
>> perspectives
>> > and most important to have following up of these meetings!
>> > Best Regards,
>> >
>> > 2009/2/25 Alaa S. ElSharif <alaedin.elsharif at lttnet.net>
>> >
>> >>  I echo your questions Brother Katim,
>> >>
>> >> As long as the big shots in ICANN insist on taking advantage of these
>> >> meetings to tour the world, I doubt that we from the African region can
>> keep
>> >> up with their exotic travel schedule! Mexico, Australia, and then South
>> >> Korea.? Thank God there aren't any trips to Mars or else they would've
>> held
>> >> a meeting there as well.!
>> >>
>> >> Personally I'm not going, but I believe we shouldn't wait until ICANN
>> >> organizes a meeting so that we, members of the African Community can
>> get
>> >> together and discuss our issues.
>> >>
>> >> Those are my two cents,
>> >>
>> >> Kind regards.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> *Alaedin S. ElSharif*
>> >>
>> >> *Web Services Supervisor*
>> >>
>> >> *Commercial Dept.*
>> >>
>> >> *LTT*
>> >>
>> >> *Tel: +218 21 3400020, ext: 7306*
>> >>
>> >> *Fax: +218 21 3400044*
>> >>
>> >> *Mobile**: +218 92 5017303*
>> >>
>> >> *Abu Setta, Near Al-Furusia Club, Tripoli, Libya*
>> >>
>> >> *Web: **www.ltt.ly* <http://www.ltt.ly/>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>  ------------------------------
>> >>
>> >> *From:* africann-bounces at afrinic.net
>> [mailto:africann-bounces at afrinic.net]
>> >> *On Behalf Of *Katim S. Touray
>> >> *Sent:* Wednesday, February 25, 2009 12:24 PM
>> >> *To:* africann at afrinic.net
>> >> *Subject:* [AfrICANN-discuss] Mexico City '09
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Dear all,
>> >>
>> >> As we get ready for, or are on the way to the ICANN meeting in Mexico
>> City,
>> >> I have a few questions:
>> >>
>> >> 1.  Are we going to have an Africa-constituency meeting, as we did in
>> >> Cairo, and if so, when and where?
>> >> 2.  Did the Cairo meeting of the Africa-constituency result in any
>> action
>> >> item or items, i.e. things we are supposed to do?  If so, what was to
>> be
>> >> done, and who was to do it by when?  Or was the Cairo meeting just a
>> >> getting-to-know-you kind of meeting, with no follow-up actions to be
>> taken?
>> >>
>> >> I ask these because I was not at the conclusion of the Cairo
>> >> Africa-constituency meeting, and because I still haven't heard anything
>> >> about us getting together in Mexico City.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks in advance for your replies, and best wishes for a safe and
>> pleasant
>> >> trip to all of you heading to Mexico City!
>> >>
>> >> Sincerely,
>> >>
>> >> Katim
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >> AfrICANN at afrinic.net
>> >> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >
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>
>
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