[Chapter-delegates] Decision to cancel Istanbul events

[Walda Roseman]

Dear All,



Thank you all for your support, assistance, and patience as we sought clarity on what we should do about our meetings in Istanbul.  As you know, this has been a very difficult decision, particularly as we considered the potential consequences it could have with our relationships in Turkey and in the larger Arab region, all of the work that has gone into building strong programs for the events, and the financial and logistical impact pulling out of Istanbul could have.  In the end,  we made the decision not to go to Istanbul because the potential risk to the people who would attend, including staff who were increasingly anxious about it, outweighed the other considerations.



We will now need to look to you to help with the following:



*         Help us ensure that what this decision does - and does not - mean in terms of our support for Turkey and other communities is clear and understood.  The core message that you can use is below.  Feel free to personalize it.

*         Help us - and particularly help Frederic - work out next steps

*         See what you can do to minimize travel losses.  All accommodations have been cancelled, but travel costs will still be an issue.



Also, for the regional directors, it remains very important that you participate next week in the SMT-RBD retreat.  It will be held in Reston next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning.  We hope that this new timing will allow you to preserve most of your weekends.  We understand that your visas for the March retreat were probably good for 90 days, so before trying to get a new one,  I suggest that you check to see whether your last visa is still good.  Please work with Ana and Sofie so that we know your plans and can try to help you trouble shoot.  If it still isn't possible for you to get to Reston, Karen and DSi will try to accommodate webex into how they conduct the meeting, but as you know, that's not ideal.



Again,  thanks so much.  Feel free to contact me with questions and concerns.



Best,



Walda

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Internet Society Statement on 2013 Internet Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Istanbul INET, Business Roundtable, and Chapter Workshop



The Internet Society today announced that it plans to change the location of its 2013 Internet Hall of Fame awards ceremony, and cancel the Istanbul INET, Business Roundtable, and Chapter Workshop, originally scheduled to take place next week in Istanbul, Turkey. The Internet Society, along with the rest of the world, has been watching developments in Istanbul and closely following the police and government response to demonstrators since the end of May. While we had remained hopeful that we would be able to proceed with these important events, the dynamic environment has unfortunately created an increasingly unstable situation in Turkey.



First and foremost, our concern is for the personal safety of everyone who would be associated with these events, including speakers, participants, Internet Hall of Fame inductees, Internet Society guests and staff, and support personnel on the ground.  Reports from our international security partner indicate that the protests in Istanbul have become more diffuse and unpredictable, and we do not want to take any unnecessary risks.



While it was a very difficult decision to postpone these events, we believe it is the right one to make taking into account the current information and unpredictable situation on the ground. The Internet Society is currently exploring new locations for the Internet Hall of Fame induction ceremony and will provide an update next week.  We will announce the 2013 Internet Hall of Fame inductees on June 26, as originally planned.  The Istanbul INET, Business Roundtable, and Chapter Workshop will be cancelled.



The Internet Society hopes for a peaceful and speedy resolution to the events that have unfolded in Turkey over the last two weeks.  We also send our support to those in Turkey and all over the world that advocate for the ongoing development of the Internet as an open platform that empowers people to share ideas and connect in new and innovative ways, and which serves the economic, social, and educational needs of individuals throughout the world.




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