[Chapter-delegates] Middle East Strategy and Bureau Director

[Mashhour Abudaka]

I can only wish you good luck, it's hard to find a place in the Middle East
that tolerates internet freedom and does not block websites or have
independent telecom regulator accountable to its community not to its
governing elite and above all respects travelers and free movement.
We got to try.
Regards
Mashhour Abudaka
Chair 
Palestine Chapter
 
From: chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org
[mailto:chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org] On Behalf Of Sofie
Maddens
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 2:38 PM
To: chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
Subject: [Chapter-delegates] Middle East Strategy and Bureau Director
 
Dear Chapter Delegates,
 
I am pleased to announce that after careful analysis and consultations, we
have defined an ISOC strategy for the Middle East, beginning Q4 of this year
and continuing into our 2014 - 2016 Business Plan.  Our thanks to all of you
who have participated in our a survey of a wide range of stakeholders,
including over 3000 Arab Chapters and members, and to all of you who have
otherwise given us such constructive advice.  Based on the strong majority
of views that we have received, we will be establishing a Middle East Bureau
and are recruiting for its first Bureau Director, who will be an Arabic
speaker and will be located in the region.  The Regional Bureau plan and the
job description for the Bureau Director are attached.
 
As you are aware, the Internet Society has long been interested in efforts
in the Middle East to support and preserve a global, open, robust and
accessible Internet. We have watched the numbers of ISOC chapters and
members in the region grow quickly, particularly in recent years. Until now,
the ISOC Africa and Asia Pacific Bureaus have included Arab chapters and
members in their activities.  However, we have heard from ISOC Chapter
meetings, discussions with members, and representatives from academic
institutions and governments that there is a strong interest in having a
stronger ISOC presence in the Middle East.  The survey that we conducted
during 2013 sought advice on a range of key questions, including the level
of presence, the geographic scope for the Bureau, and the critical issues
that stakeholder wished to see addressed.    
 
As a consequence of these consultations, we are seeking to build through the
appointment of a Bureau Director and his or her engagement with local
stakeholders an active and supportive presence in the region that can: help
advance key policy and technology initiatives, as well as capacity building
in the areas of ITE, local content and Internet governance; support growth
of chapters and strengthened engagement ISOC engagement with chapters, local
companies, academia and governments; and build organization and individual
membership and support for other ISOC activities.  Our objective is that
within 3-5 years, a majority of countries in the region will have embraced
the Internet Model, with governments and policy makers engaged alongside
ISOC staff, chapters and members to promote an open, resilient and
sustainable Internet throughout the region.
 
The decision on the location of the Bureau will take into account several
factors, including consideration of the place of residence of the Bureau
Director, the level of direct and/or indirect support and/or sponsorship for
a Regional presence or Bureau, as well as logistical and practical issues
(e.g. facility of visa, cost of living, etc.).  In terms of geographical
scope, stakeholders have voiced a preference for the geographical scope to
be limited to the Middle East and the Levant, and will include:  United Arab
Emirates, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen.  North African chapters will remain
part of the Africa Bureau but will be welcome to participate in relevant
Middle East Bureau activities. 
 
We are eager to move forward with the Bureau and a much more active
engagement with the region.  Please feel free to forward the job posting for
the Middle East Director as appropriate as we seek a strong leader for the
Middle East Regional Bureau who can ensure that the programmes of importance
to regional stakeholders can be moved forward and that the interests and
issues of the region are conveyed to  ISOC and appropriately addressed.
 
Kind regards,
 
Walda
 
Walda Roseman
Chief Operating Officer
The Internet Society
1775 Wiehle Avenue
Reston, VA 20190 USA
Office: +1 703-439-2764
Cell: +1 202 256 4843
email:  <mailto:roseman at isoc.org> roseman at isoc.org
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