Since 2000 Rudi Vansnick is president of the Belgian chapter of the
Internet Society, an organisation focusing on the promotion of a stable,
accessible and safe internet for everyone. He participates in national
debates with federal and regional governments on topics such as cyber
criminality and security issues related to Belgian citizens. In November
2004 he became more and more involved in Internet issues and debates all
around the world - in Bangladesh, Tunis, Hannover. Later, he joined
ISOC-ECC board (vice-chair) and was one of the signatories for the
creation of EURALO (European Regional At Large Organisation – ALAC).
Actually he serves in the board of EURALO and participates in several
working groups, especially with focus on privacy and security of the
Internet.
In 2005 he became the national expert for the World Summit Awards and
one of the 38 Grand Jury members from all over the world in electing the
40 best e-Content projects worldwide. For 2008 he will accomplish this
task again.
2006 saw him focusing on breaching the Digital Divide through projects
in regional and European organisations. His goal: to capture the voices
of the Internet user, individual as well as in an organisational
environment, understanding the needs and burdens of each. He considers
the most difficult hurdle to be the fact that while culture and
technology are far away from each other, they should be mutually
supportive. December 6^th 2006, Rudi participated in the FOSI
International Conference in Washington focusing on the Rights and
Protection of Children in the Web 2.0 World. An issue he was already
involved in during the Round table in June 2006 in Brussels, in presence
of Ms. Viviane Reding and several other important authorities. The
technical evolution of the Internet keeps Rudi's attention on the
initial mission of ISOC, safe access to the Internet while the openness
is an increasing item of vulnerability, imposing new rules and policies,
not only from government but also from the industry. A taks in which he
wants to participate actively in the coming months.
In regards participation in ICANN, in particular in the ALAC structure,
being an Euralo board member, I would enjoy bringing in my contact with
internet users, (I'm chairing an ISOC Chapter and vice-chair ISOC
European Chapters Coordinating Council) having specific needs in regards
services to be delivered and rules to be applied to by ccTLD's. Aside
this topic I have seen a lot of discussions popping up during the
ongoing ICANN meetings in Cairo, putting ccTLD's and gTLD's in some
"fights" and I'm willing to get the best out of these debates for the user.
