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Colleagues,<br>
<br>
Please let me know if you have any additional questions or
responses. I will be glad to respond.<br>
<br>
I append my introduction and forum responses for your convenience.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Gihan Dias<br>
BoT Candidate<br>
----<br>
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<br>
<big><font style="font-size: 18pt" size="5"><big><span lang="en-US"><b>Gihan
Dias</b></span></big></font></big><br>
<br>
<font color="#000000"><img src="cid:part1.01000304.00030801@uom.lk"
name="Image1" width="99" height="131" hspace="7" align="left"
border="1"></font><span lang="en-US">Prof.
Dias has been a well-known figure in the Internet world since
1988,
and has extensive knowledge and experience in both the technical
operation of the Internet and socio-economic issues. He has a
proven
track record in leading non-profit organizations, and has
excellent
written and spoken communications skills. He has been working with
the Internet Society since 1994 and is currently President of the
Internet Society, Sri Lanka Chapter.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">An engineer
by profession, Prof. Dias was awarded a Ph.D. from the University
of
California. In addition to being a professor at the University of
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, he is the CEO of the LK Domain Registry. He
led
the initiative to make computers and the Internet available in
local
languages.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">In 2013, he
was inducted to the Internet Hall of Fame for his pioneering work
in
building the Internet in Sri Lanka.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">He was the
founder president of Lanka Academic Network, a global non-profit
organisation. He has worked with numerous international
organisations
such as ICANN, IETF, APRICOT and several other Asia-Pacific bodies
in
addition to the Internet society. He has also served on the board
of
several public and non-government bodies.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">As a Trustee
of the Internet Society, his main objective will be to enhance the
role of chapters to drive the policies and operations of ISoc. He
will work closely with the Chair, other board members, CEO, Staff
and
other stakeholders to strengthen ISoc and to make it the strong
and
clear voice of the Internet community. He will also work to ensure
the financial strength as well as independence of the Society and
its
chapters.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">Prof. Dias
will bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and contacts on both
the
technical and social sides of the Internet to the ISoc Board. He
will
also provide a voice for the issues faced by small, developing
countries on the Internet.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Forum:</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Q1:
Internet Challenges</b><b> </b></span>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">What
specific challenges including, but not restricted to technical and
political challenges, do you expect the Internet to encounter
during
your tenure? How would you recommend that ISOC meet those
challenges?</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">As
in the past several years, the Internet will continue to face
challenges from governments, corporations and interest groups who
wish to control and benefit from it. It will also be challenged by
a
varied set of new applications. I believe that the prime function
of
the Internet is as a communications medium between people, and
that
people should be able to use it as they wish, and should be able
to
easily deploy new and innovative services.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">I
will strive to keep the Internet Society at the centre of keeping
the
Internet free and open, and developing open standards. We should
improve the end-to-end connectivity of the Internet by promoting
IPv6, improve its accessibility and affordability throughout the
world, and develop multilingual content. ISoc should also maintain
its lead role in capacity and awareness building throughout the
globe.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Q2:
Public Policy Issues</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">What
Internet-related public policy issues do you believe will need to
be
addressed during your tenure, and how would you recommend that
ISOC
respond to them? How do you see the involvement of ISOC and of
ISOC
chapters and members?</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">Firstly,
ISoc should work to create awareness of Internet-related issues
throughout the world, and promote legislative and executive
actions
to promote the availability, affordability and use of Internet.
ISoc
Chapters should work with each national government and other
stakeholders to solve issues of a national nature in a
non-adversarial manner. ISoc should avoid any one-size-fits-all
solutions to diverse problems. At the same time, each chapter
should
become a strong national body which is known and recognised as the
voice of the Internet community in that country.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Q3:
ISOC Initiatives</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">ISOC
has a range of strategic initiatives. What do you think of those
initiatives and how would you support making those initiatives
more
successful? Are there additional initiatives you believe are
needed?</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">While
ISoc should continue its four global strategic initiatives, I
believe
it is even more important that each chapter identify, get support
for
and implement the strategic initiatives most relevant to each
nation.
These may include access, openness, language, services, etc. I
will
support chapters in these initiatives.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Q4:
Chapters and Organizational Members</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">What
changes would you like to see in the way ISOC interacts with
chapters, organization members, and individual members?</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">One
of my main objectives, in seeking to be an ISoc board member, is
to
empower chapters. </span>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">Chapters
have gained more recognition in recent years, but I still see the
Internet Society as being too centralised. As a trustee, I will
work
towards giving chapters a stronger voice in deciding on the
policies
and activities of the Internet Society, not just via the board,
but
in having more chapter representatives in all policy and
decision-making bodies throughout the Society. This will also
include
chapters taking up more financial power.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">I
also plan to work directly with the officers of each chapter to
identify issues they face, and to address them in an effective
manner. I also propose to set up mechanisms where chapters can
work
jointly with other chapters.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Q5:
Global Presence and Image</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">The
Internet Society’s work is global, including a diverse network of
chapters and participation of many international organizations.
What
actions, if any, should the Internet Society take to increase its
presence and recognition as a worldwide organization supporting a
global Internet?</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">Although
ISoc is a global organisation, it is often seen as being
US-centric.
I will work towards enhancing the diversity of ISoc and making it
more responsive to local issues, while at the same time not losing
sight of global issues. I will also work on enhancing ISoc's
global
image, and improving its stature with national governments by
working
closely and non-adversarially with them on Internet-related
issues.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Q6:
Why do you want to be on the ISOC Board of Trustees?</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">I have gained
a lot from ISoc, starting with the workshop for developing
countries
in 1994, and now it is time for me to contribute at a global
level.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">The Internet
community needs another voice from a small developing country. I
believe I can also promote both the <i>usability</i> of Internet
throughout the world, and the creation of an Internet centered
around
<i>us</i><i>.</i></span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Q7:
What skills and experience would you bring to the Board?</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">I am known in
the Internet world since 1988, and spearheaded the initiative to
build the Internet in Sri Lanka in the early 90's. I have
extensive
knowledge and experience in both the technical operation of the
Internet and socio-economic issues.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">An engineer
by profession, I have a Ph.D. from the University of California.
In
addition to being a professor at the University of Moratuwa, Sri
Lanka, I am also the CEO of the LK Domain Registry, a non-profit
tasked with developing the Internet in Sri Lanka. I led the
initiative to make computers and the Internet available in local
languages.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">I have a
proven track record in leading non-profit organizations. I was the
founder president of Lanka Academic Network, a global non-profit
organisation. I have worked with numerous international
organisations
such as ICANN, IETF, APRICOT and several other Asia-Pacific
bodies. I
have also served on the boards of several public and
non-government
bodies. I am currently President of the Internet Society, Sri
Lanka
Chapter.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">In 2013, I
was inducted to the Internet Hall of Fame for my pioneering work
in
building the Internet in Sri Lanka.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">I have
excellent written and spoken communications skills, and people who
have worked with me can testify that I am able to motivate a group
of
people and get them to work towards a common goal.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Q8:
Describe what you think is the role of a Board member.</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">A Board
member's primary responsibility is the proper governance of the
Society. Thereafter, he should work for the benefit of the entire
Internet community, including those who are not yet on the
Internet.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">Finally my
priority – as a Chapters representative – is to strengthen
chapters, both organisationally and financially.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Q9:
Please indicate your appraisal of the current status of Chapters
within the ISOC infrastructure, as well as any strategies and
proposals you would support to ensure that Chapters maximize the
potential of ISOC as well as themselves.</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">The position
of chapters within the Internet Society has improved significantly
in
the past few years, and I want this trend to continue.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">Chapters
should be able to propose and carry out initiatives within ISoc.
The
proposed Chapter Advisory Council would be one avenue, and another
would be direct communications between chapter officers and ISoc
staff.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">The capacity
of chapters should be strengthened. In particular I propose that
where feasible, each chapter have at least one full-time paid
staff.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">I also
propose that ISoc should provide more support for each chapter to
carry out fund-raising within that country.</span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US">I envision
each chapter being the voice of the Internet in its country.</span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b>Gihan
Dias</b></span><br>
<br>
<span lang="en-US"><b><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:gihan@uom.lk">gihan@uom.lk</a></b></span><br>
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