[Chapter-delegates] Press release: ISOC welcomes Microsoft as a new sponsor of the ISOC Fellowship to the IETF

[Gerard Ross]

Hello

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

Regards
- Gerard

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


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Press release
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THE INTERNET SOCIETY WELCOMES MICROSOFT AS A NEW SPONSOR OF THE ISOC  
FELLOWSHIP TO THE IETF

RESTON, VA, USA AND GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 8 July 2008 - The Internet  
Society (ISOC) welcomes Microsoft as a new sponsor of the ISOC  
Fellowship to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). By  
supporting this program, Microsoft demonstrates its commitment to  
technical capacity building around the world.

ISOC President and CEO Lynn St. Amour today welcomed Microsoft's  
sponsorship. "ISOC's Fellowship program provides valuable  
opportunities for technologists in the developing world to work with  
their peers," says St. Amour. "Microsoft, through its participation in  
this program, demonstrates how important it is for both the IETF and  
technologists from developing countries to actively engage and to  
promote Internet development everywhere. We are delighted to have  
their support for this worthy goal of ISOC's Enabling Access  
Initiative."

The Internet Society's Fellowship program helps skilled technologists  
from the developing world to experience the Internet standards  
development process in person. While much of the IETF's work takes  
place over mailing lists, the in-person experience promotes a stronger  
understanding of the standardisation process, encourages active  
involvement in IETF work, and facilitates personal networking with  
others that have similar technical interests.

"Microsoft is pleased to contribute to the ISOC Fellowship Program. We  
strongly support the IETF's efforts to increase participation in  
Internet standards development by our technical colleagues from  
developing communities," said Craig Shank, General Manager for  
Interoperability at Microsoft.

The ISOC Fellowship to the IETF program covers the travel and  
attendance costs for selected Fellows. As an additional benefit, the  
Fellows are paired with more experienced members of the Internet  
technical community who act as their mentors for the course of an IETF  
meeting.

Details of the Internet Society's IETF Fellowship Program are  
available on the ISOC web site at:

   http://www.isoc.org/educpillar/fellowship


About the IETF
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is a large open  
international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and  
researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture  
and the smooth operation of the Internet. It is open to any interested  
individual. The IETF is an organised activity of the Internet Society.

About the Internet Society
The Internet Society is a 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.

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