[Chapter-delegates] ISOC donations/Beyond the Net

[Brandt Dainow]

I think it clear that the demand that all ISOC chapters must engage in political advocacy for ISOC objectives as a condition of being a chapter is unsustainable.  However, people want to interpret it, there is no doubt that promoting ISOC aims to “community leaders, press and regulators” has a clear aim of influencing policy development within a country.  There are many other ISOC objectives which can also be fulfilled, but which do not risk controversy.  While we have focused on legal limits on foreign-funded organisations, there are plenty of countries where this will generate wider social resentment, especially in countries with strong anti-colonialist or anti-US interference feelings.  Helping people get access to internet services, promoting technical standards, offering education, etc., are not activities which are likely to attract anything but positive reactions.  There is plenty any chapter can do to promote ISOC aims without this restrictive clause.  It is unsustainable as a formal command for chapter existence.  If chapters want to do it, there is nothing to stop them, but it should not be compulsory.

 

 

Regards,

Brandt Dainow

brandt.dainow at gmail.com

 

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Brandt_Dainow

http://www.imediaconnection.com/profiles/brandt.dainow

 

From: Chapter-delegates [mailto:chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org] On Behalf Of Glenn McKnight
Sent: 10 August 2017 12:18
To: ISOC Chapter Delegates
Subject: [Chapter-delegates] ISOC donations/Beyond the Net

 

Interesting article from transparency.org  on the closing down of Civil Society in Azerbaijian and the their rules on not accepting monies from abroad. 
As discussed before we need to be aware on how some chapters are at risk 

 

https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/azerbaijan_closing_down_civil_society


Glenn McKnight
mcknight.glenn at gmail.com
skype  gmcknight
twitter gmcknight

289-830 6259
.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/private/chapter-delegates/attachments/20170810/88b1abfc/attachment.htm>