[afnog] Fwd: Internet Governance

[Alan Levin]

Hi,

re:
> From: Member Services <memsvcs at arin.net>
> Date: 16 November 2004 20:54:41 GMT+02:00
>
> Below are the e-mail addresses provided on the ITU list of sector
> members for those representatives from current ARIN member
> organizations. Please review the entire list for all countries within 
> the
> ARIN region. There are other organizations on that list for whom you 
> may have contacts
> and wish to include in your correspondence.
> mortimer.hope at vodacom.co.za

I spotted this and adapted Bills message (thanks Bill for cc'ing us) to 
Mortimer (who I have met at a local conference).

I am not sure what to make of his response (below) but it appears that 
he is not aware of the ITU since he wants to pass on my email to his 
local telco people. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I suppose my 
post to afnog in this regard becomes relevant here too...


> From: Alan Levin <alan at futureperfect.co.za>
> Date: 18 November 2004 23:48:24 GMT+02:00
> To: afnog at afnog.org
> Subject: Fwd: [afnog] Re: Request for input: The 
> WorkingGrouponInternetGovernance
>
> my 2c...
>
> In my past decade of experiences working with the people that 
> participate in this policy making activity:
> some are often under-qualified and do it as part of 'the job',
> some are often passionate and do it because they want to and they care 
> to.
>
> I do not mean that the former do not care about their career, the 
> concern is that their organisation may come before the open knowledge 
> and sharing intentions of the latter. There can be a good mix, the 
> concern I have is that only some are 'invited' to the ITU decision 
> making, anyone on this list can be involved in ICANN (and related RIR 
> and tld) decision making just if they want to.
>

here's the response I got from Mortimer...
QED

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Mortimer Hope" <Mortimer.Hope at vodacom.co.za>
> Date: 22 November 2004 21:18:33 GMT+02:00
> To: "Alan Levin" <alan at futureperfect.co.za>
> Subject: RE: Internet Governance
>
> Hi Alan
>
> Yes, I remember you and the short discussion we had about internet 
> telephony.
>
> I will pass this email on to the relevant people in Vodacom.
>
> Mortimer
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Alan Levin [mailto:alan at futureperfect.co.za]
> Sent: Thu 2004/11/18 06:49 PM
> To: Mortimer Hope
> Cc: Gregory Massel
> Subject: Internet Governance
>
>
>
> Dear Mortimer,
>
> Hope this email finds you well :)
>
> I am not sure if you remember me, we met at the futurex conference I
> believe. I am adapting a message below that relates to a recent paper
> by Dr Zhao of the ITU.
>
> I am writing as a member of the board of AfriNIC, the emerging African
> regional registry and the board of the .za  domain name authority. Both
> these organisations use an open public process for electing
> representatives from among a diverse slate of candidates.  The AfriNIC
> board is made up of 10 members of very diverse background and
> experience, made up of two people from each area in Africa (N, E, S, W
> and central).  This process of the AfriNIC is in essence bottom-up
> policy making in which those who must comply with policies and know
> most about the impact of policy, advocate directly and indirectly in
> its making. .za DNA board is selected by a Department of Communications
> independent nominating committee.
>
> The process is not without flaw, but has been refined over the years in
> which all RIRs have operated.  Each at once the same in function, but
> different as they reflect the individual regional reality in economics
> and operations of massive and important communication infrastructure.
>
> No stakeholder is precluded from participation, governments alike.
> Indeed, each stakeholder is encouraged to participate and has ample
> opportunity through online and mulitiple face-to-face fora that travel
> to various localities within the region.  In addition, RIRs are
> involved in educational outreach that is specific to the needs of its
> region.  This helps ensure that stakeholders are informed in all
> matters related to the resources for which it is steward.
>
> This important segment of Internet governance and management is most
> definitely NOT broken.  It operates smoothly and efficiently and
> corresponds to the highest ideals of open and fair administration of
> these fundamental Internet resources.
>
> I urge you in your capacity as Sector Member of the ITU to encourage
> collaboration within the existing RIR structure(s) to achieve
> objectives that you feel are important for international
> telecommunications.  Assemble with the many other global stakeholders
> and become a contributing part of this community.
>
> Please don't hesitate to contact me if this isn't making sense.... I do
> realise it's a very complicated issue.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Alan
---------------------------------------------
Alan Levin
Tel: +27 21 409-7997