[Chapter-delegates] How can ISOC chapters help in the development of IP-based networks?

[Veni Markovski]

Actually it is not happening the way I described it.
Yes, ISOC produces documents, but they are (C) ISOC.org , and they are 
never used by the member states, or the ITU, except as informational 
documents. They are never discussed.
I pointed to a document, which had that destiny - see it here: 
http://www.isoc-dc.org/2010/12/ipv6-%e2%80%93-what-is-it-why-is-it-important-and-who-is-in-charge/ 

Great document, but it was never used in a discussion at the ITU. What 
is the destiny of the other documents, produced by ISOC HQ? Same one. 
Sent, but not used.
What I suggest it to change it, to make these documents not only 
available, but accessible, and ones to be discussed. Is it going to be 
easy? No, but then, if who said it should be?

In october, I also gave an example how this can be done - with a 
document, which was prepared in a joint effort between the Bulgarian 
chapter and the administration, to become an official document, 
submitted in the proper way - by a government - to the ITU. Unlike the 
document above, the Bulgarian one could be used as reference (and 
hopefully, should be). http://isocbg.wordpress.com/2010/10/20/bg-itu/

I know about chapters (but I wouldn't speak for them - they could do it 
on this list, if they decide to do so), which are also very helpful in 
keeping the Internet open and free, as it was created, in their 
respected countries. Sometimes it is not easy, and sometimes it is even 
dangerous, but they do it.

So, there is a place where the chapters can be much more helpful for the 
global development of the Internet than ISOC HQ. Because no matter what 
ISOC HQ says, the documents it prepares present a position, which is - 
in many cases - not applicable for many national chapters, due to legal 
framework, cultural difference, etc. My suggestion is to change that - 
to encourage and support chapters to be more active nationally. For some 
reasons, ISOC is always humble on that (think about the fact that the 
maximum it provides as funding for a chapter project per year is equal 
to roughly a monthly mid-level ISOC salary). And the question is not 
about money, it is about  resources, sometimes just consulting with the 
chapters, and sometimes - listening to the chapters, and not naming them 
;-)

best,
veni


On 12/15/2010 20:51, Alejandro Pisanty wrote:
> Veni,
>
> this "should" is happening, haven't you noticed? we have managed to 
> get ISOC position papers on issues like ACTA, Network Neutrality, 
> Internet Governance, and a number of others. Many of them have been 
> finished in consultation with the chapters and other ISOC 
> stakeholders. Many have started from a detected need among chapters, 
> be there an explicit request here or a more silent one from one of us.
>
> Where do we feel the need for more among the chapters? We can't ask 
> for this in abstract alone.
>
> And, we on our chapters side should also pick up part of the burden, 
> at least through expressing clear questions that the papers must 
> answer, providing local or regional context, etc., don't you think?
>
> Many of us do, don't we? Look at the archives of this list. Haven't 
> some of you used them to point at so that others can read what we say, 
> as orientation and information?
>
> Yours,
>
> Alejandro Pisanty
>
>>
>> Thanks, Grigori -
>> that's exactly what ISOC HQ could do - prepare these documents, and 
>> provide free of any restrictions, including copyright - to the 
>> chapters, to distribute among governmental representatives in our 
>> countries. ISOC HQ could start with ideas about the IPv6 working 
>> group, the Terms of References for the new Internet-related public 
>> policy issues working group, etc.
>>
>> veni
>>
>> On 12/15/2010 15:21, Grigori Saghyan wrote:
>>> Dear All,
>>> fully support Veni's suggestion.
>>> It is very hard process, in each country ITU representative is a 
>>> governmental organization.
>>> They have serious problem - they do not have qualified staff, even 
>>> more, they do not have anybody, who is able to understand modern 
>>> challenges.
>>> In this situation any normal suggestion from local ISOC chapter can 
>>> be very important for government, they need any  feedback from ISOC.
>>> Let me ask once more - let us prepare suggestions, recommendations  
>>> for local ITU representatives. Without such recommendations ISOC 
>>> policy is a criticism without suggestions.
>>> With respect,
>>> Grigori Saghyan
>>> ISOC.AM