[bestbits] Should a U.S. candidate back away?

[Ayden Férdeline]

Speaking only for myself here, I think it is unnecessary for one to withdraw on the basis of their nationality. We are having an election to determine our representation on the Steering Committee, which is, I think, the best path forward. Personally I do not want the US out of the playground and no Americans in leadership positions; I just don't want them to be the biggest kid around.

The question of representation and diversity, and what serving on the Steering Committee symbolises is quite another matter. We use geography as a rough proxy for addressing overall population diversity, and I think that's what you're getting at here, but it is not, in my humble opinion, a very good one. Diversity can also be seen along cultural, economic, linguistic, and ideological lines. My hope, more than anything else for the Steering Committee, is that our representatives are able to bring unique perspectives to the role.

Best wishes,

Ayden Férdeline
[linkedin.com/in/ferdeline](http://www.linkedin.com/in/ferdeline)

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [bestbits] Should a U.S. candidate back away?
> Local Time: 23 August 2017 10:35 PM
> UTC Time: 23 August 2017 21:35
> From: daveb at dslprime.com
> To: Ayden Férdeline <ayden at ferdeline.com>
> Renata Aquino Ribeiro <raquino at gmail.com>, bestbits at lists.bestbits.net> < <bestbits at lists.bestbits.net>
>
> Folks
>
> I care deeply about policy issues, so I'd be glad to serve BestBits, a valuable Forum.
>
> Whan I volunteered, there was a shortage of candidates. That's now changed; five other people whose experience suggests that they are appropriate are now running.
>
> The "Internet Governance" space has been dominated by the U.S. and allies while the majority of Internet users are now on the other side of the global North-South divide.
>
> If a few people email me offlist, I'll withdraw. It's no great sacrifice to give up an unpaid post, especially when I'm swamped with work.
>
> On the other hand, I do bring some strengths to the group. I'm a tech reporter who has learned a great deal about networks over 18 years. I've made a point of asking those in the Global South what are most important international policies for bringing down the cost of access. (Answers include: the high cost of backhaul/transit, unreasonable royalties, and the unwillingness of giant companies to hire or pay taxes locally.)
>
> I'm the only candidate from the U.S. and back away if a few people think I should.
>
> Dave
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.igcaucus.org/pipermail/bestbits/attachments/20170823/2ced2eb3/attachment.htm>