[governance] Advocacy Updates/ Was [Final Message to the IGC as co-coordinator [Goodbye > and Thanks] >

Wed Feb 5 15:16:01 EST 2014

Dear All,

Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for the notes of
appreciation. It was a pleasure to serve. Thank you also to all of you for
the work that you continue to do on the ground to make a difference in the
lives of the communities that you are in. Special thanks and commendations
who do work on the ground in the face of extreme violence and terror.

*Support for the Coordinators*
As you can imagine, the co-coordinators are both new and transitioning into
the role and so I hope that we can give them space to ease into their
roles. They will need all our support and encouragement.

These are brief updates on some areas, people can add to this (Feel Free)
 from *what they see happening* or what t*hey are directly involved in* that
demands involvement or input.

*Open MAG Consultations*
In the meantime, there are some pending matters such as the *Open MAG
consultations* that is still open. There are currently two threads.

*Brazil Preparations*
Brazil Preparations: Norbert has started on the etherpad. For those who are
are interested in following the 1Net discussions, feel free to visit:
http://forum.1net.org/ They have recently created a discussion board that
will complement the mailing list.

*Encrypted Media Extensions #Digital Rights Management*
For those who want to individually object to the W3C WG developments on the
working draft on EME in the area of Digital Rights Management that is going
to cease calls for support or objections on February 11 - you will need to
join the working group to comment and offer your objection or support. Paul
Cotton from Microsoft opened the call for comments and it closes on the
11th February. Silence is deemed as support in that working group. Norbert
and I had joined this working group after the IGC published its statement
in support for EFF.

*Review System of the current Trusted Community Representation in Root Zone
DNSSEC Key Signing Ceremonies.*
For those who are interested in commenting on the *Review System of the
current **Trusted Community Representation in Root Zone DNSSEC Key Signing
Ceremonies*, feel free to visit: https://community.icann.org/x/nge6Ag The
relevant documents are all posted on the link and you can choose to comment
through this or directly with the Review Team. At the moments, TCR terms
are indefinite and they are self funding and there are calls for review
whether the current model in place is adequate or whether changes should be
introduced.

*Human Rights *
*Pakistan*
I would also like to acknowledge the excellent Advocacy work currently
being done in Pakistan by Shahzad Ahmad in Bytes for All, Nighat Dad in the
Digital Rights Foundation, Fouad Bajwa and Imran Ahmed Shah in Pakistan.
Most of you would have been aware of the plight of threats to open and free
expression. This is to formally commend them and celebrate their work.

*Tunisia*
This is also to commend the work done on the ground in Tunisia. Special
appreciation to Tijani Ben Jemaa and Dhouha Bayassarou for their continued
efforts to promote an open and free internet despite struggles their
countries are experiencing. As Tunisia transitions to democracy, it is my
hope that our colleagues on the ground will help create enabling
environments for open and free expression. Noting that last month was the
third year anniversary of the fruit vendor that burned himself and sparked
the revolution.

*Mali #Manuscripts #Digital # Libraries*
Noting that the UN Security Council recently convened in Mali with respect
to the civil war that has been ensuing. The  Ansar al-Dine tried to
desecrate sacred shrines with pick-axes, and to burn the irreplaceable
manuscripts stored in the libraries of Timbuktu. Whilst the people of Mali,
did all they could to stop them and that, as a result, some of the
manuscripts was preserved.  About 300,000 manuscripts were smuggled out of
Timbuktu by brave Malians during the height of the civil war. I am
wondering whether having digital collection of those manuscripts and
storing them in a server offshore could be a way to preserve your
collections. I know that we have members who have library networks and the
mechanisms to assist and if this is a worthwhile project to also have
digital repository, then it might be something to consider.

*Syria*
My heart continues to grieve as I see the effect that the war is having on
civillians from Syria. I know that we have members in Europe who have been
assisting in communications. Our thoughts are with all the brave men and
women and children and displaced communities that suffer.

*Human Rights Council Annual Meetings*
Whilst Frank La Rue and his Team have been having consultations in specific
locations as preparation, there are still many region not covered in the
Report and there are opportunities for members of the IGC to share what is
happening on the ground etc. I had been in discussion with Joy Liddicoat on
how to better get the IGC involved and making submissions in this Forum.
Whilst in the past one of our members led the work on preparing a
Statement, and we had submitted it, the coordinators and the community can
explore whether they would want to be involved in this forum.

*Dynamic Coalition on Internet Rights*
Marianne Franklin and the Team had published basic principles of Internet
Rights. The IGC was involved through some of its members in making
contributions. However, the work to share the output and engage local and
regional communities to participate still needs active involvement of
various members in the IGC to disseminate these across borders. For those
who are interested in joining the Coalition, they can contact Marianne
Franklin <m.i.franklin at gold.ac.uk> on how they would like to be involved.

*Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCE) #IP #WIPO *
There are certain developments within on moves to protect  TCEs
through  WIPO etc. To see the developments in WIPO and the Draft Articles
in this area, in English, Spanish, French and Russian, visit:
http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/doc_details.jsp?doc_id=245543
At some point whilst communities may reserve names where generic top level
domains are concerned, there are still certain potential issues that could
surface where it is in the global public interest to develop positions on
or prepare for. However if any study is done, care should be taken to
explore whether geographic names fall under TCEs or not.  The objections in
the Amazon and Patagonia string are indications of what is in the horizon
if we do not develop considerations for protection of TCEs and how to deal
with contentious strings where people have registered marks in certain
countries. A potential hypothetical scenario could be
where  Louis Vuitton were to apply for .maasai and where a Maasai Elder is
in the process of protecting their traditional name. Ron Layton of Light
Years IP argues that the Maasai brand is worth $10million. See:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22617001
Intellectual Property and Traditional cultural expressions have been the
subject of global discussions as early as 1967 when there was an amendment
to the *Berne Convention for the Protection of Artistic and Literary Works* for
the protection of unpublished and anonymous works.

*African DNS Forum*
I attended the African DNS Forum in Durbab last year and was impressed with
the participation and interactions that ensued. This showed the joint
commitment of the stakeholders and desire to strengthen access, growth and
internet proliferation in the community.

*Middle East DNS Forum*
Some of you would have physically attended. I attended the Forum on the
first day and participated remotely. Special thanks to Fahd who is on this
list and the work that he, Baher and others are doing in the region. I was
very excited with the new Dot Shabaka and it was really great to hear from
panelists and attendees how the Arab Script is revolutionizing access and
communication and the impact it is already having. It is no doubt very
encouraging to hear the impact on internet proliferation and availability
of services in their native script.  For those of you on twitter, you can
follow the commentary via #MEDNSF

*General Collaboration with Other Civil Society Groups in selecting
Appointees*
In 2013, the IGC hosted a Workshop on MS Section Processes: Accountability
and Transparency with community representatives from ISOC, ICC Basis and
Civil Society. Long term, Brazil meeting aside, there needs to be an
appropriate framework to govern how civil society coordinates and makes
selections. The time frame for recent selections did not allow civil
society stakeholders to coordinate this discussion. I would recommend that
a neutral site for civil society stakeholders or one that everyone agrees
hosts a virtual document which will enable civil society to submit comments
and opinions on. Fantastic initiative by Ian Peter as he has already
started the conversation on the list opening call for comments and feedback
on selection processes. I would like to see that hopefully evolve into some
kind of MoU. Selections of NomComs can be done well in advance so as to be
on standby for selection processes.  Last but not least, I would like to
acknowledge the work in selection processes that Ian Peter and the team did
with respect to 1Net etc.

With every best wish,
Sala

On Wed, Feb 5, 2014 at 8:55 PM, Fouad Bajwa <fouadbajwa at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Sala,
>
> I would like to extend my appreciation for your contributions and
> dedication to the coordination and work of the IGC. I congratulate you
> for managing this task with patience and hard work! It was indeed a
> difficult task but you did well! Take care and wish you success in
> your personal endeavors!
>
> On Wed, Feb 5, 2014 at 11:44 AM, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
> > +1
> >
> > ________________________________
> > Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2014 23:50:36 +0300
> > From: skiden at gmail.com
> > To: governance at lists.igcaucus.org; salanieta.tamanikaiwaimaro at gmail.com
> > Subject: [governance] Final Message to the IGC as co-coordinator [Goodbye
> > and Thanks]
> >
> >
> > Sala,
> >
> > Thank you for everything you did and for all the sacrifices you made. You
> > did you job well (I am sure many people will agree with me). We hope to
> > continue hearing from you as an IGC member. I wish you all the best in
> your
> > future endeavors.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Sarah
> >
> > On Tuesday, February 4, 2014, Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro
> > <salanieta.tamanikaiwaimaro at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Colleagues,
> >
> > Warm Greetings from Suva, Fiji,
> >
> > It seems like only yesterday when several people asked me whether I
> would be
> > interested in standing for co-coordinator. In fact, if I knew what I knew
> > about what co-coordinators do, I most probably would not have stood. :) I
> > had no clue of what was in store.
> >
> > Suffice to say, my role was easy because my predecessor Jeremy Malcolm
> made
> > it easier for me to transition into my role. He had migrated the list
> from
> > the cpsr to where it is today. I was also fortunate to have Izumi who had
> > been serving beside Jeremy for around a year before I came into serve. I
> > would like to take this time to especially thank them for their
> > collaboration and patience.
> >
> > At the outset, one of the first things I had set to do in my new role
> was to
> > communicate with all past coordinators and over time, I would seek their
> > counsel and their collective wisdom. I would also like to thank all of
> them
> > for their patience, wisdom and dedication. Special thank you also to
> Norbert
> > Bollow my fellow co-coordinator who contributed immensely behind the
> scenes.
> > It was a privilege to work alongside you. Chaitanya Dhareshwar has also
> been
> > extremely helpful behind the scenes and my load was easier because I had
> > people like Chaitanya who was generous in volunteering his time.
> >
> > There are few aspects of civil society engagement that can be improved if
> > people take the initiative to push forward statements, submissions etc.
> This
> > is probably the only civil society group whose members and subscribers
> > belong to other civil society organisations. As Nnenna once mentioned,
> the
> > IGC is the oldest civil society organisation formed since the creation of
> > the WSIS.
> >
> > The last two years, we have encountered several challenges both
> internally
> > and externally where levels of polarized debates affected our capacity to
> > negotiate or be functional in our advocacy. As this was happening, there
> > were changes happening in the dynamic landscape of internet governance
> such
> > as the uncertainty of Internet Governance etc.
> >
> > For each person that unsubscribed or left the IGC, six people would join.
> > The average ratio of the unsubscriber is to subscriber is at an estimated
> > 1:5
> >
> > When we were debating the WCIT and having all kinds of polarised debates,
> > there were ITU policy staff subscribing to the IGC. The debates were
> usually
> > between the pro ICANN camp and the anti ICANN camp or it was the pro ITU
> > camp and the anti ITU camp and once pro single unified root versus
> multiple
> > root camp or the pro US and anti US camp. I am seeing the discussions
> mature
> > from the polarizations and whilst the differences still exist, they are
> not
> > as threatening and as menacing as they once was. It is my hope that we
> can
> > channel these diversities to show case the different perspectives in
> > relation to the issues as we address global public interest concerned
> >
> >  I am continuously surprised that there are many governments particularly
> > those in OECD countries who also subscribed to the IGC. I can say with
> > confidence that the diversity of stakeholders that lurk on the IGC list
> are
> > diverse and is not limited to civil society. Some see this as a threat, I
> > see it as an opportunity to allow them to hear our dialogue, rationale.
> The
> > list itself is mechanism for change. However, it is my hope that the IGC
> > will be able to make relevant and targeted submissions to various
> entities
> > and forums in productive ways. There are many pressing things ahead of us
> > and whilst we are preparing for the Brazil meeting and the IGF that we
> also
> > have a futuristic approach to the issues that demand our energy as we
> > position ourselves to meet the coming challenges.
> >
> > To do this it will require some level of decorum where we can agree and
> > disagree professionally without personalizing matters. We have also had
> to
> > resolve numerous matters complaints lodged to the coordinators and this
> was
> > done discreetly. I am pleased that things have calmed down within the
> IGC.
> >
> > One of the greatest thing I have had to learn was "restraint" and to be
> > "measured" in my response in dealing with situations and this was not an
> > easy thing but being in the IGC has helped me come to a greater
> > understanding of the diversity of voices. Our diversity is our strength.
> It
> > is my hope that we will use this shared understanding to reach out to
> other
> > stakeholders and interface with them in a manner that encourages
> meaningful
> > and productive interaction instead of alienation. Our success is
> dependent
> > on some extent on our diplomacy.
> >
> > Last but not least, a big thank you to all of you for making the journey
> > worthwhile and memorable. I continue to learn daily from each of you,
> your
> > insights, your wisdom and seeing the world through your eyes.  In a few
> > hours, when we close the Poll, we will be announcing the new coordinators
> > and welcoming them.
> >
> > Live and let live!
> >
> > Many thanks everyone (Vinaka Vakalevu).
> >
> > With every best wish for 2014,
> >
> > Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro aka Sala
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Sent from Gmail Mobile
> >
> > ____________________________________________________________
> > You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
> >      governance at lists.igcaucus.org
> > To be removed from the list, visit:
> >      http://www.igcaucus.org/unsubscribing
> >
> > For all other list information and functions, see:
> >      http://lists.igcaucus.org/info/governance
> > To edit your profile and to find the IGC's charter, see:
> >      http://www.igcaucus.org/
> >
> > Translate this email: http://translate.google.com/translate_t
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Regards.
> --------------------------
> Fouad Bajwa
> ICT4D and Internet Governance Advisor
> My Blog: Internet's Governance: http://internetsgovernance.blogspot.com/
> Follow my Tweets: http://twitter.com/fouadbajwa
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.igcaucus.org/pipermail/governance/attachments/20140206/2b0ad782/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
____________________________________________________________
You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
     governance at lists.igcaucus.org
To be removed from the list, visit:
     http://www.igcaucus.org/unsubscribing

For all other list information and functions, see:
     http://lists.igcaucus.org/info/governance
To edit your profile and to find the IGC's charter, see:
     http://www.igcaucus.org/

Translate this email: http://translate.google.com/translate_t