This is my candidate statement for the position of NCUC Chair. I hope you do not mind if I take a few minutes of your day to speak with you directly about why I am running for this seat, and what I can bring to the table.
I hope this is the beginning of an ongoing conversation.
The NCUC is a fantastic group, and this election has great candidates for all the positions, so we should take this moment to reflect on what we have accomplished so far and what could be the next steps. I'm grateful for all of the expressions of support that I received on-list and privately. It really has been very humbling.
###Experience in ICANN
My first involvement with ICANN was in Buenos Aires for ICANN 53 (2015). At this meeting, I was an ICANN Fellow, and since then I have joined working groups as an observer, have volunteered widely throughout the community, and have had the privilege of serving as an alternate - and have been appointed to important committees, such as the GNSO’s Standing Selection Committee - as a full, voting member. My first leadership position within ICANN was as the representative for Latin America and the Caribbean on the NCUC Executive Committee. If you sometimes think I talk too much about my region, that’s why. I was elected to do that and also to help outreach and inreach globally. I have taken my role on the NCUC Executive Committee very seriously, and if I was to become Chair, I’d definitely make a point to continue what I’m doing -- but with a global focus. In addition, I have been an ICANN Coach and Mentor multiple times. It’s one of my favourite roles. I love teaching and helping others realise their full potential. It is why I defend teaching so much and respect acquired experience that I will always use the wisdom of the veterans and work towards NCUC goals. I also understand NCUC goals and our limited mission which is to work on domain name policy and not always broader internet governance issues.
###Vision of ICANN and NCUC
ICANN is a great Internet policy space, and specialising in DNS-related themes is a pathway towards understanding much larger issues which would greatly benefit from civil society engagement and energy. The NCUC has grown significantly since I joined, and this is definitely due to the amazing commitment and inspiration that our members instill in newcomers of this group. The NCUC is dynamic and combative, being vocal when there are truths which need to be spoken. Not only is NCUC "the conscience" of ICANN but also its arms and legs; without the movement that civil society brings to debates on Internet policy issues, ICANN would have no destiny.
###Short, mid and long term goals
I have been reflecting deeply on whether or not I should accept this nomination. It was not an easy decision for me to make, because I have really enjoyed serving my region on the Executive Committee, and I knew that I would only be reading to step forward and take on the role of Chair if I thought I could really bring something new to the table. I think that I can, and I’d like to explain to you what that is. The role of the Chair is to work with the other elected Executive Committee members to strengthen the NCUC's strategic plan. It requires a strong coach to help mould the other members into being good teachers themselves, and it requires someone who can help build consensus. I have experience in doing both of these things. There are also a few actions which I believe NCUC leadership can work together with our energised members to achieve mutual goals.
Short-term goal: My immediate priority if elected will be to increase our in-reach efforts. We’ve got so many great members, and I want to help people like you become more engaged in our policy work. I’ll begin by mapping out NCUC members who are involved in working groups, and then I’ll see what skill gaps exist and what knowledge and interests others have which are not being utilised. In 2018, the need for this work is growing in urgency because the NCUC has updated its bylaws and developed new operating procedures. The time is now to harness YOU and all that you bring to the table, so we can have more and more successes in the ICANN policy space. We'll also work together for putting into practice projects NCUC has started recently, like our policy writing course.
Mid-term goal: I will look to build an ideal quotient of participation in working groups, aiming to redistribute the workload among our currently active volunteers so to reduce burn-out. I believe that the NCUC leadership should work more closely with the NCSG’s Policy Committee, helping build effective participation in working groups and creating process flows to help manage volunteers workload.
Long-term goal: I will work on following and applying our operating procedures for the NCUC. My idea is to focus on how can we routinely, and without missing anyone, consistently run our in-reach and outreach capacity building efforts? I will also explore innovative new strategies for expanding the NCUC budget. Together with member collaboration we will apply for grants, find new donors, and expand our travel support programme and the NCUC Fellowship.
###About me
I'm from the northeast of Brazil. I live in Fortaleza, Ceará state. Here I'm a researcher, teacher, and founder of a research collective. I am very involved in Internet governance activities outside of ICANN. You might already know that I am on the Multistakeholder Advisory Group of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, where I am a voice for civil society. Other communities I participate in are the Internet Freedom Festival, and the Fórum da Internet do Brasil (Internet Governance Forum Brazil). I have participated in Schools of Internet Governance in Brazil, India, and the United States. I earned a PhD in education from the Catholic University of São Paulo in 2012. Prior to this, I lived in the United Kingdom for 4 years and studied my Master’s degree at the University of Westminster, graduating in 2003. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from PUC-SP 1998.
I will try to keep it as short as possible.I’ve been on the list for more than 5 years but i never intervened as i was serving on the AFRINIC board and i felt it would be a conflict of interest and interpreted as a board member from an RIR giving views. So as much as it is i try to be as much as ethical about these matters. I leave personal judgement behind and look at the house in a view that the NCUC takes a different turn and re-achieves its glaring light not with the judgement that other houses pass on to GNSO and all its constituencies within.
I am from Mauritius but that does not make me less african than any african countries. I have always believed in the potential of human beings there are no lesser ones as we are equal and opportunities and learning that makes us different in our knowledge and understanding. Cultural differences is what makes the garden bloom and looks beautiful and bring the natural delight of different views to the table.
I’ve been on all five WT so far and at times i feel frustrated that we cannot a iota. There are big numbers of people on list that i have had pleasure to meet. Be up with the difference of thinking which is understandable and if everyone were to think the same way perhaps there would be nothing interesting. I also am a member of the ALAC as much as NCSG. But my background of the internet involvement started from the AFRINIC RIR. I spent a year as Nomcom and i ended on the list to be elected as Board. I learned one thing you never know enough and you keep learning, i chaired the finance and also audit committees. My background has those knowledges as i walked through it, ISOC was my other love that i believe in and got to be one of the Moderators.
In ending i will not say or even dare say what my vision or objectives will be because i see challenges everywhere and within a leadership position our personal views are also dictated by its membership it is not a one person show but i believe and stand the view that a Chair helps drive and ensure the stability by listening, understanding and then make up the right views in the interest of all. We never can keep all happy but it surely states that it is not a position of dictatorship but of listening and guidance and i of all like to see consensus before moving but surely when its a fight it needs order and compassion and understanding all because of cultural challenges.
This is the only statement i bring forward as i believe in being practical and objective.
I take this time to thank Fouad who has belief in me and ability. I also believe in the abilities of the many others as well and humbly request everyone to be objective in their decision be it me or others i respect that notion as we are freewill people.
Thank you again as we fight for a better internet which is a challenge more and more these days. Have a nice week-end to all.