[Chapter-delegates] Application to form a Chapter in Yemen
Edwin A. Opare
aeopare at gmail.com
Sat Jul 27 01:49:12 PDT 2013
There is already an ISOC Chapter in Sudan folks. In fact the chapter
manages the .sd ccTLD.
Best,
Edwin A. Opare
Sent from Samsung GALAXY Note
On Jul 27, 2013 8:39 AM, "Nadira Araj" <nadira.araj at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Suhaidi,
> I did ask the same question during ISOC workshop at INET Qatar and it was
> said that they are not allowed for the same reason that you mentioned.
> From my point of view, it is unfair that the civil society has to pay the
> price of their government politics.
> Best regard,
> Nadira
> ISOC Palestine
> On Jul 27, 2013 9:55 AM, "Dr. Suhaidi B Hassan" <suhaidi at uum.edu.my>
> wrote:
>
>> Dear Hanna, Sabrina,
>>
>> During my trip to Khartoum, Sudan recently, I have also seen growing
>> interest on forming an ISOC chapter there. But I wonder if Sudanese
>> colleagues are allowed to form a chapter there since the country is on the
>> US list of embargoed countries.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>>
>> ****************************************************************************
>> Suhaidi Hassan PhD SMIEEE
>> Professor and Chair
>> InterNetWorks Research Laboratory
>> School of Computing, Universiti Utara Malaysia
>> 06010 UUM Sintok, M A L A Y S I A
>> W: http://www.internetworks.my; T: +604 928 6040; F: +604 928 4753
>>
>> ****************************************************************************
>>
>>
>> On 27 Jul, 2013, at 1:02 AM, Hanna Kreitem <hannaq at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Sabrina,
>> Thank you for the update, and best of luck to the Yemen chapter, they
>> seem to be eager and willing to work on Internet issues in Yemen, which can
>> lead as a sample for other similar countries. Kindly pass a note to them
>> that I am willing to provide all the help possible, and I am sure the rest
>> of the community is willing to as well.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Hanna.
>> On 26 Jul 2013 18:20, "Sabrina Wilmot" <wilmot at isoc.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Hanna, dear Joly,
>>>
>>> Thanks again for your questions regarding this application. Please find
>>> below the information as provided by the founding members of this Chapter:
>>>
>>> […]
>>> 1) Concerning the geographical representation of founding
>>> members:
>>>
>>> We have strived to spread the word and contact all people we know as
>>> potential founding members and succeeded in getting representatives from 6
>>> other provinces apart from Sana’a. The core group is in Sana’a is basically
>>> due to the fact that it is the capital city and has over 80% of the
>>> activities, initiatives, and working ground for Internet-related
>>> activities. There are other big cities like Aden and Taiz, and many of the
>>> members –including myself- are originally from those provinces and have
>>> good contacts there. However, Internet services are very limited in most
>>> other cities and in some regions, there is barely any internet connectivity
>>> due to extremely poor infrastructure.
>>>
>>> Through the social network group on Facebook and by using the resources
>>> and capabilities with founding members, we sought potential members through
>>> their own connections. We have attempted to reach out to potential founding
>>> members from other provinces but we found very few people that were aware
>>> of ISOC and some were not even well acquainted with the Internet at large.
>>>
>>> For a country with such a low penetration like Yemen, it would be best
>>> to use traditional media and other means to introduce ISOC and invite
>>> potential members to join but this would not be possible until we get the
>>> actual license.
>>>
>>> We have devised a plan to create the ground for expanding to target less
>>> connected provinces and regions that need support to improve Internet
>>> connectivity. We believe that it is important to take the first step
>>> starting from Sana’a and adding more members from other regions as we grow
>>> because the initiative is indeed a national one and covers the whole
>>> country.
>>>
>>> To achieve greater geographical representation, we have the following
>>> plans in place:
>>>
>>> a. Upon the launch of ISOC-Yemen, we plan to launch an official
>>> gathering in Sana’a with all founding members present and media invited to
>>> cover the event. There we will send press releases to as many parties
>>> possible so as to inform residents in various provinces about the
>>> initiative and invite members to join.
>>> b. Among our projects is to hold regional activities and meetings to
>>> introduce ISOC-Yemen and let people sign up on the spot and inform them of
>>> the benefits of joining and how together we could work to achieve its goals
>>> c. Apart from those meetings, member recruitment activities will
>>> include:
>>> - visiting colleges, schools, and giving presentations;
>>> - publishing announcements and news items in the media (print,
>>> radio) inviting members to apply
>>> - using various projects (workshops, conferences, etc.) as a
>>> means to recruit new members
>>>
>>> In essence, we are eager to have ISOC-Yemen be inclusive and have
>>> representatives across Yemen but find that starting with this group of
>>> founding members will be a good start, especially as it is now high time to
>>> form such an entity given the rapid growth of Internet usage.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 2) Opportunities for funding ISOC-Yemen and creating
>>> sustainable income
>>>
>>> We certainly have a plan for the first year to find sources of funding
>>> and means of sustaining our operations and implement our projects. There
>>> are several avenues that we see most fitting to achieve that:
>>>
>>> 1) We have agreed on having membership fees of YR 2,000 ($10) per month
>>> per member. We will be giving a discount 50% to students so they could
>>> afford joining. With over 30 committed members from the start, this would
>>> constitute $300 per month, which is good enough to pay for the rent of a
>>> small apartment and as we get more members, we will be able to cover other
>>> expenses such as accessories, furniture, printing material, etc.
>>> 2) We have good connections with several national agencies that support
>>> such initiatives. Among them is the Social Development Fund, which could
>>> provide capacity building funds to help furnish our apartment, buy
>>> equipment, and cover costs of basic services such as Internet and power.
>>> 3) We can use the resources of the founding members as means of
>>> introducing ISOC-Yemen and creating visibility. Some founding members have
>>> pledged to provide space on their prominent websites, provide office space,
>>> and other available resources such as computers and other equipment
>>> 4) Partners, businesses and international organizations will be
>>> approached to help fund workshops and seminars related to Internet issues
>>> and some of the budgets will be allocated for capacity building and
>>> purchasing equipment and accessories that could be used for future
>>> activities.
>>> 5) Administrative fees to be paid to ISOC-Yemen for running projects
>>> (trainings, field work, researching Internet-related subjects, etc.) will
>>> be an added source of income to sustain ISOC-Yemen and help it be
>>> productive and creative.
>>> 6) ISOC-Yemen Chapter takes into consideration that all its projects
>>> should have an element of sustainability in its activities. This is
>>> achieved by making the training programs, researches, and other consultancy
>>> services paid by the candidates and beneficiaries seeking admission in it.
>>> This sector of Chapter generates income that covers some of the running
>>> costs of Chapter.
>>>
>>> In essence, we feel confident that the financial aspect of ISOC-Yemen
>>> will be safe and sustainability will not be an issue provided that the
>>> commitments shown by founding members and partners will be kept and because
>>> the whole country is really witnessing a booming Internet-driven period
>>> with many good and positive prospects for success.
>>>
>>> […]
>>>
>>>
>>> Kind regards,
>>> Sabrina Wilmot
>>> Internet Society
>>>
>>>
>>> On 22 Jul 2013, at 09:15, Hanna Kreitem wrote:
>>>
>>> > Dear Sabrina,
>>> >
>>> > I happen to know one of the founding members, Ahmed AlMarwani, we have
>>> volunteered together at Arab Digital Expression Camps, summer camps that
>>> expose Arab youth to freedom of expression, use of technology in
>>> expression, and open culture. He was a dedicated person with interest in
>>> human rights and freedom of expression.
>>> >
>>> > I have a comment on the application regarding funding, there doesn't
>>> seem to be a clear plan on how will they fund their activities, is this
>>> required with the application?
>>> >
>>> > Regards,
>>> > Hanna.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > On Fri, Jul 19, 2013 at 5:49 PM, Joly MacFie <joly at punkcast.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> > Hi Sabrina,
>>> >
>>> > I have in fact spent an extended period of my youth in Yemen, in Aden.
>>> A time I remember fondly.
>>> >
>>> > I notice that all the founding members are based in Sana'a. I wonder
>>> if there could be some representation from Aden, or whether there might be
>>> a possibility for a separate or sub chapter to later be established there.
>>> >
>>> > joly
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > On Fri, Jul 19, 2013 at 8:42 AM, Sabrina Wilmot <wilmot at isoc.org>
>>> wrote:
>>> > Dear Colleagues,
>>> >
>>> > The following application for a Chapter in Yemen has been received. It
>>> is being sent to this list for peer comment and review.
>>> > Please note that the Chapter is not yet formed and has not officially
>>> been recognised by the Internet Society.
>>> > If there are people on this list that know the individuals proposing
>>> to establish the Chapter, feedback is especially welcome.
>>> > The period allowed for comments is two weeks and the deadline is 3
>>> August 2013.
>>> >
>>> > Please do not hesitate to contact me on or off list.
>>> >
>>> > Thanks,
>>> > Sabrina Wilmot
>>> > Manager, Chapter Formation
>>> > Internet Society
>>> >
>>> > -------------------------------
>>> >
>>> > A. Proposed name of the Chapter
>>> > ISOC Yemen Chapter (short for Internet Society Yemen Chapter)
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > B. Community of Interest the Chapter will serve
>>> > Anyone in Yemen as well Yemeni expatriates abroad could become part of
>>> the community of interest.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > C. Purpose and scope of Chapter
>>> > The chapter will be serving the interests of the Internet users by
>>> pursuing the following key areas within the boundaries of Yemen as its
>>> scope:
>>> > • Raising awareness among the public about the benefits of using
>>> the Internet and good practices that would minimize security and other
>>> risks to end users as well as promoting the efficient consumption of
>>> bandwidth.
>>> > • Encouraging websites to implement new services (applies to
>>> governmental, commerce, educational, cultural and other service-oriented
>>> websites) and hold contests to recognized distinguished websites.
>>> > • Promoting technical solutions to obstacles preventing
>>> effective use of the Internet such as slow speed, malware, etc.
>>> > • Providing opportunities for training, education, networking
>>> and knowledge sharing.
>>> > • Cooperating and partnering with entities from the government,
>>> civil society, private sector, international community and others to
>>> promote the free and effective use to the Internet for the benefit of the
>>> society.
>>> > • Promoting a stronger and more robust infrastructure that could
>>> allow remote areas to gain access to the Internet in an easy and affordable
>>> manner.
>>> > • Promoting reforms and measures to grant allow the private
>>> sector to operate facilities, protocols and standards including but not
>>> limited to IXPs, DNSSec, IPV6, that promote healthy competition to provide
>>> better services to the public.
>>> > • Supporting governmental efforts to establish e-government
>>> projects to provide citizens with easier access to various public services.
>>> > • Participating in decision-making processes on all levels that
>>> involve Internet services so as to promote the interests of Internet users.
>>> > • Expanding the use of the Internet by lowering costs, enhancing
>>> quality of service, and providing a greater array of possibilities.
>>> > • Advocating freedom of expression online and opposing
>>> oppressive practices that could limit such freedom
>>> > • Building the capacity of ISOC Yemen members in internet
>>> governance issues, and keep them informed about national, regional and
>>> international internet affairs.
>>> > • Supporting the development of local content on the web.
>>> > • Promoting the growth and evolution of the Internet
>>> architecture .
>>> > • Initiating and supporting educational and research projects
>>> related to the Internet.
>>> > • Collection and dissemination of information related to the
>>> Internet, including histories and archives.
>>> > • Contributing to the localization and building cultural bridges
>>> between Yemen and other nations using the Internet.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > D. Outline of key priorities for the first year of Chapter
>>> > For the first year after inauguration, the focus will be on the
>>> following areas and the given timelines:
>>> > Key priorities for the first quarter (months 1->3):
>>> > 1- Creating a not-for-profit entity to represent ISOC Yemen
>>> Chapter and give it the required official status and recognition to receive
>>> tax-exempted funds to carry out its various activities. This includes
>>> renting an apartment, printing letterheads, creating a stamp, printing
>>> leaflets and other material necessary to introduce the event.
>>> > 2- Forming the Standing Committees that will execute the plan set
>>> up for the first year.
>>> > 3- Creating a PR campaign about ISOC Yemen Chapter.
>>> > 4- Preparing and organizing a conference introducing the chapter
>>> under the theme ‘Internet in Yemen: Challenges and Prospects’
>>> > 5- Networking and visiting potential partners and supporters as
>>> well as future funders and member organizations that will be helpful in
>>> supporting the chapter’s future activities.
>>> > Key priorities for the rest of the year (3-12):
>>> > 1- (months 3-12): Developing a series of workshops in areas
>>> related to:
>>> > a. Cyber security (best practices in dealing with
>>> malware, hacking, DDoS, pirated software. etc.)
>>> > b. Internet for beginners (workshops for those who have
>>> just started using the Internet and need guidance)
>>> > c. Internet for intermediaries (providing tools and tips
>>> on using social networking, firewalls, online storage)
>>> > d. Website development (basic training in purchasing a
>>> hosting plan and starting a small-scale CMS- based website
>>> > 2- (months 6-12) Holding meetings with government officials on
>>> the needs and aspirations of Internet users so as to address issues related
>>> to cost, speed, reliability, infrastructure, etc.
>>> > 3- (months 6-12) Launching media campaigns to raise awareness
>>> about Internet use as well as visiting educational institutes such as
>>> schools and universities and give lectures on the importance of Internet
>>> accessibility.
>>> > 4- (months 6-9) Writing proposals for projects that call for
>>> establishing e-government services in some sectors of the government (we
>>> shall start with small-scale operations and move to bigger ones in the next
>>> years)
>>> > 5- (months 9-12) Preparing for the annual summit and preparing
>>> with surveys and questionnaires to be sent to members to set up the agenda
>>> of the meeting and potential projects to be carried out in the next years
>>> towards achieving the goals of the chapter.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > E. Founding members of the Chapter
>>> > Below is the full list of the 31 founding members of ISOC Yemen
>>> Chapter. A meeting took place on July 3, 2013 with many of those founding
>>> members and the plan, bylaws, resources, etc. were all agreed upon and it
>>> was also agreed that it was time to submit the application to ISOC for
>>> consideration. The list includes their names, affiliations and contact
>>> information as well as the username they used to register as individual
>>> members at Internet Society’s website.
>>> >
>>> > Full Name, Affiliation & Location:
>>> > Abdellah Fayea, Engineer, Tafeel for IT Co. Ltd. - Sana’a
>>> > Abdulsalam Arif, Student, U. of Science & Technology - Sana’a
>>> > Abrahim Alahdal, IT Engineer, Yemen Net - Sana’a
>>> > Adli Al-Kharasani, Trainer and activist (Sana’a)
>>> > Ahmed Alashawl, Web Programmer, Yemen-Hosting - Sana’a
>>> > Ahmed Almarwani, Logistics Assistant, WFP, Hodeidah
>>> > Ahmed Abdulsattar, Computer Engineer - Aden
>>> > Aiman Al-Wasai, System Analyst, Ibda'a Soft - Sana’a
>>> > Akram AlMulsi, Marketing Manager, Yemen Net - Sana’a
>>> > Ala’a Assamawy, Lecturer, Sana’a Community College – Sana’a
>>> > Ameen Algithi, Freelancing network engineer - Sana’a
>>> > Ammar Alareefi, Sana’a University Student - Sana’a
>>> > Amr Sattar, Network Assistant, Orient House - Sana’a
>>> > Aws Aleryani, General Manager, Design Group - Sana’a
>>> > Ebraheem Al-Moayed, TEDxSanaa Volunteer - Sana’a
>>> > Hizam Alahdal, IT Engineer, Ministry of Telecom. Sana’a
>>> > Ibtihal Muharram, Billing Support Engineer – Y Telecom - Sana’a
>>> > Madiha Kamal, Management Assistant & PR officer, AlKurby Co for Oil
>>> Services - Sana’a
>>> > Mishaal Thabit, Security Engineer, Y. Telecom., Sana’a
>>> > Mohamed Abdulmalek, YouTube clip presenter and producer (Coosh Malek),
>>> Sana’a
>>> > Mona Alhadadi, Radio anchor on Yemen FM - Sana’a
>>> > Mulk Khaleel, Software engineer, Yemen Soft - Sana’a
>>> > Nagib Abse, Executive Manager, Socotra Holidays - Socotra
>>> > Osama Mostafa, Software developer, WHO - Sana’a
>>> > Sami Qhtani, Trainer, General Telecom. Institute - Hodeidah
>>> > Waleed Saleh, Charging Engineer, Y Telecom - Sana’a
>>> > Walid Al-Saqaf, University Lecturer & Software Developer (Sana’a,
>>> Yemen and Orebro, Sweden)
>>> > Yusri Alathwari, CEO of Warzan E-Marketing - Sana’a
>>> > Zakaria Alaya, Freelance designer and photographer - Sana’a
>>> > Zakaria AlKainai, Software Developer - Sana’a
>>> > Mohammed Rashed Al-Dhaifi, Head of System and Hosting Department - ,
>>> Yemen Net - Sana’a
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > F. List of supporters and partner organizations
>>> > Below is a list of organizations and bodies will believe will be
>>> supporting or partnering with our chapter. We have established preliminary
>>> contacts with those organizations and have received encouraging statements
>>> of support from key staff members once ISOC Yemen Chapter is launched.
>>> > - Corporate
>>> > • YemenNet – Official Internet Service Provider for
>>> Yemen (Run by Ministry of Telecommunication)
>>> > • TeleYemen – Registrar of .ye domains and international
>>> carrier
>>> > - Educational
>>> > • Computer Science Department – Sana’a University
>>> > • General Telecommunication Institute
>>> > • Darassalam International University
>>> > • University of Modern Sciences
>>> > • Limkokwing University (Yemen).
>>> > - Private Sector
>>> > • Sahafa.net – Yemen’s most widely viewed website (news
>>> aggregator)
>>> > • Warazan – An e-marketing and e-commerce portal
>>> > • Design Group – For website design and development
>>> > • Yemen Sat – VSAT Service provider for Yemen
>>> > - Civil Society
>>> > • Lawyers Syndicate – advocating for Internet access as
>>> one of its main points of their concern
>>> > • Teachers Syndicate – advocating for Internet access to
>>> schools including staff and students
>>> > • Labor Union – advocating for reducing cost of access
>>> to laborers
>>> > • International organizations (there are several
>>> international organizations and bodies that will be approached for support
>>> including UNDP, Oxfam, Mercy Corp) for support in projects that involve
>>> using the Internet for development
>>> > • Democracy School in Yemen – advocating promoting
>>> democracy by expanding access to the Internet to all sectors of the Yemeni
>>> population
>>> > • Yemeni Women Union – advocating for gender equality in
>>> access to the Internet
>>> > • Youth Leadership Development foundation (YLDF) for
>>> support in projects that involve using the Internet for development, also
>>> advocating for gender equality in access to the internet.
>>> > • Yemeni Association for IT (yait.org)
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > G. Membership
>>> > Members will be invited to join through a number of methods including
>>> the following:
>>> > - Social networking: A Facebook page will be created to invite
>>> members and ask them to join by indicating the benefits and dues to join
>>> > - Media coverage: Some of the founding members have good
>>> connections to the media and they will be producing news reports and press
>>> releases about the chapter and will use the media to invite members to join
>>> and support the chapter.
>>> > - The conference to kick start the activities of ISOC Yemen
>>> Chapter will be a great opportunity to introduce the chapter to potential
>>> members and call upon attendees to sign up for membership on the spot and
>>> introduce them to the Internet Society as well as ISOC Yemen Chapter.
>>> > - Various training activities that will involve non-members will
>>> be used to attract members and explain to them the advantage of joining
>>> > - Students will be approached via university and high school
>>> visits and banners as well as other similar activities to invite them to
>>> join, indicating the 50% discount for full-time students.
>>> > - There will also be other creative methods to get members to
>>> join and those will be developed and encouraged as time progresses.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > H. List of requirements
>>> > The requirements to form a not-for-profit organization includes having
>>> all the required documents (application, bylaws, etc.) plus a fee and a
>>> bank deposit of around $5,000 (YR 1 million). There is also an annual
>>> renewal fee of less than $100. The founding members of ISOC Yemen Chapter
>>> would also be the founding members of the organization.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > I. Additional information
>>> > Yemen is among the countries that are well below the world average in
>>> terms of Internet penetration and quality of service. The Web Index 2012
>>> showed Yemen on the bottom of all surveyed countries, reflecting an urgent
>>> need to help improve Internet services and expand access to the whole
>>> population. The poor infrastructure, stringent regulations, slow speed, low
>>> bandwidth, low awareness, service monopoly, and high costs are some of the
>>> obstacles keeping the Internet from growing and prospering in the country.
>>> Although there were a few ad-hoc events and appeals to address those severe
>>> problems, there was really no institutional effort to do so and we feel
>>> that ISOC Yemen Chapter could be the real start of such an effort.
>>> > Our efforts will focus primarily on making the Internet used more
>>> effectively to serve development and progress and to make it more
>>> accessible, free and of high quality by pursuing the goals set forth in the
>>> application and bylaws. Luckily, Yemen has a large youth population that is
>>> increasingly interested in using the Internet for various purposes such as
>>> education, career advancement, work, etc. and hence, ISOC Yemen Chapter
>>> comes at a very good time to help bring the Internet to its true potential
>>> for Yemen’s development.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > J. Your contact information >
>>> > Name: Walid Al-Saqaf
>>> > Affiliation: Director/Founder, Alkasir (alkasir.com) - Lecturer,
>>> Orebro University
>>> > Yemen
>>> >
>>> > ----------------------
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
>>> > to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
>>> > Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> > Joly MacFie 218 565 9365 Skype:punkcast
>>> > WWWhatsup NYC - http://wwwhatsup.com
>>> > http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com
>>> > VP (Admin) - ISOC-NY - http://isoc-ny.org
>>> > --------------------------------------------------------------
>>> > -
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
>>> > to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
>>> > Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org
>>> >
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
>> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
>> Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
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>> _______________________________________________
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>> Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
> Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org
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