[Chapter-delegates] Press release: ISOC's 'ambassadors' - diverse voices at the IGF

[Gerard Ross]

Hello

For your information, here is a press release we shall be issuing  
shortly.

This is the first IGF release for this week. As the event unfolds,  
there will be 2-3 more releases.

Kind regards
- Gerard

--
Gerard Ross
Senior Communications Manager
Internet Society
Email: ross at isoc.org


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Press release - for immediate distribution
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ISOC'S 'AMBASSADORS' - DIVERSE VOICES AT THE IGF
- REPRESENTATIVES OF ISOC CHAPTERS BRING LOCAL EXPERIENCE TO GLOBAL  
FORUM

HYDERABAD, INDIA, 1 DECEMBER 2008 - Thirteen 'ambassadors' of the  
Internet Society (ISOC) are now gathering in Hyderabad, India for the  
third Internet Governance Forum (IGF), representing their local  
communities and promoting ISOC's goal of Internet development for the  
benefit of all people in every part of the world.

The Internet Society has a worldwide membership of more than 90  
organisations and  28,000 individuals, many of whom have also formed  
more than 80 ISOC Chapters - groups dedicated to working for Internet  
or societal development on behalf of either their community or special  
interest.

In preparation for the current IGF meeting, the Internet Society  
selected representatives from 14 of the Chapters to serve as 'IGF  
Ambassadors' (unfortunately external circumstances meant one of the  
ambassadors, from the Netherlands, had to withdraw from the meeting at  
late notice).

"ISOC's IGF Ambassadors will contribute tremendous local and regional  
experience and insight to the Internet governance topics being  
discussed this week," explains Bill Graham, responsible for Strategic  
Global Engagement at ISOC.

"The IGF's strongest asset is that is a truly multistakeholder event,"  
said Mr. Graham. "ISOC is committed to bringing Ambassadors to the IGF  
because the modern Internet is a dynamic and diverse environment and  
we firmly believe that Internet governance discussions must include as  
many diverse and informed voices as possible."

Mr. Graham explains that Internet-related needs and priorities vary  
enormously around the world: "ISOC's IGF Ambassadors are drawn from a  
broad range of backgrounds and all major geographical regions,  
representing many perspectives on Internet governance issues."

For the Hyderabad meeting, ISOC has brought in IGF ambassadors from  
Canada, Congo, Fiji, Haiti, Iraq, Jamaica, Malta, Nepal, Poland, South  
Korea, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Turkey.

This diversity reflects the success of ISOC's Chapter programme, each  
taking on the challenge of making the most of the opportunities the  
Internet offers within their own unique environments.

The role of the IGF Ambassadors in Hyderabad is to contribute their  
experiences and perspectives into the many discussions on the agenda.  
Several of the Ambassadors will take part in workshops and other  
discussions, and will be available to discuss their own perspectives  
on Internet development as the meeting progresses.

After the IGF, the Ambassadors will return to their own communities  
with the experience gained in Hyderabad, applying the knowledge  
shared, and helping to ensure the ongoing, genuine dialogue and action.

ISOC IGF Ambassadors 2008

  Boujemi, Hanane (Malta)
  Cieślak, Marcin (Poland)
  Daluwatte, Priyanthi (Sri Lanka)
  Farrelly, Glen (Canada)
  Guerrier, Reynold (Haiti)
  Kadhem Al-Radhi, Ala'a Al-Dhin (Iraq)
  Kissangou, Jean-Philemon (Congo)
  Koubaa, Khaled (Tunisia)
  Mangal, Anju (Fiji)
  Poudel, Rajendra Prasad (Nepal)
  Thakur, Dhanaraj (Jamaica)
  Ünal, Ceren (Turkey)
  Yang, Sunyoung (South Korea)

  Leenaars, Michiel (Netherlands), was unable to attend

	
Biographical details of the ISOC IGF Ambassadors are available at:

	http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/governance/igf-hyderabad_ambassadors.shtml


About the Internet Society
---------------------------
The Internet Society is an international, non-profit organisation  
founded in 1992 to provide leadership in Internet related standards,  
education, and policy. With offices in Washington, DC, and Geneva,  
Switzerland, it is dedicated to ensuring the open development,  
evolution, and use of the Internet for the benefit of people  
throughout the world.

About ISOC Chapters
--------------------
Internet Society Chapters are groups organised by ISOC members on a  
volunteer basis and officially recognised by ISOC. Chapters bring  
together people who reside in a particular geographic region (such as  
a city, country, or larger area), or who share an interest in a  
specific Internet related subject. The role of Chapters is to help  
ISOC achieve its mission at both local and regional levels and to  
infuse ISOC with local and regional perspectives on developments and  
issues that affect the evolution of the Internet.


Further details
----------------
Scott Hoyt
Vice President, Strategic Communications and Business Planning
E-mail: hoyt at isoc.org
Telephone: +1-703-439-2120 x2142
1775 Wiehle Avenue
Suite 201 Reston, VA
20190-5108 USA

or

Gerard Ross
Senior Communications Manager
E-mail: ross at isoc.org
Telephone: +41-228-071-444 x2261
4, rue des Falaises
CH-1205-Geneva
Switzerland