Name: Julf (Johan) Helsingius Declared region of residence: EU (Netherlands) Gender: Male Employment: Chairman of the Board, BaseN (IoT service provider based in Finland) Any conflicts of interest: None
Reasons for willingness to take on the tasks of the particular position: Having spent 5 years on the GNSO Council, and been involved with ICANN much longer, I am painfully aware of both the challenges facing ICANN and the community, as well as how the non- commercial and civil society viewpoints tend to be ignored. I am hoping I can make a positive contribution to representing and focusing the interests of the community
Qualifications for the position: Coming from a technical background, I have been involved with the Internet community for something like 35 years, and strongly defended freedom of speech and civil rights (earning me the EFF Pioneer Award back in 1997), and been part of many different internet governance and policy processes and forums. I have served 2 years as NomCom appointee to the GNSO Council, 3 years as the GNSO liaison to the GAC, as well as chair of the GNSO Standing Selection Committee. I am currently serving as the chair of the Finnish chapter of Internet Society, and co-chair of the RIPE cooperation (permanent) working group.
I also used to be a member of the cypherpunks movement that resulted in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies (I piloted David Chaum's eCash technology back in the 90s), so quite familiar with the "web 3.0" technologies that might threaten the current DNS system.
Statement of availability for the time the position requires: My current day job as Chairman of the Board for BaseN takes approximately 2 days a week, and my other duties a day or so more, leaving 2 days per week free for NCSG duties (if needed).
Optionally, any other information that the candidate believes is relevant: Cultural reference - while I am an European white male with a grey beard, I am culturally confused (Swedish-speaking Finn living in the Netherlands, married to an American).
