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Global Indigenous Ambassador Program

From ICANNWiki

The Global Indigenous Ambassador Program (GIAP), established in 2017, is an At-Large program that establishes two Indigenous Ambassadors to be selected from underrepresented indigenous communities to participate in ICANN International Meetings.[1] Through the inclusion of a broader and more diverse base of knowledgeable constituents, ICANN will be better equipped to support the next generation of the global Internet community.

History[edit | edit source]

The GIAP was designed in 2015 at ICANN At-Large first as regional and pilot program within NARALO. After about one year bringing voices from North America to the community, the program expanded to being global. All RALOS, the Regional Association of At-Large Organizations, which are associations of internet end-users interested in participating in ICANN, began to outreach to indigenous communities all over the world.[2]

Responsibilities[edit | edit source]

As part of the program, Indigenous Ambassadors are expected to:

  • Work with an indigenous mentor for the duration of the conference.
  • Attend the ICANN Newcomer Sunday meeting with a Public Responsibility Support team representative who will facilitate the session to ensure inclusion.
  • Participate in the Fellowship Morning sessions Monday through Thursday to gain an understanding of and experience with ICANN and its multi-stakeholder community.
  • Submit a detailed report within 30 days after the conference – describing activities and assessing the Ambassador's experience. These reports help ICANN in evaluating future Fellowship efforts.

ICANN60[edit | edit source]

On June 17, 2017 ICANN announced a call for a volunteer to serve as a mentor for the Global Indigenous Ambassador Program (formerly the Global Tribal Ambassador Program) during ICANN 60.[3] The selected Mentor received travel, hotel, and per diem for the ICANN60 Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, held 28 October – 3 November 2017.

The Evaluation Committee selected Renata Aquino Ribeiro, from Brazil, to be the Indigenous Mentor to the Ambassadors. Matthew Rantanen is an Honorary Mentor and ICANN60 Fellow.

Geoffrey Blackwell and Ruben Hilare-Quispe, from the United States and Bolivia respectively, were the two Ambassadors to attend ICANN60 selected by the Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee consisted of Loris Taylor, Eduardo Diaz, Glenn McKnight, Judith Hellerstein, Renata Aquino Ribeiro, Sarah Kiden, and Maureen Hilyard.

ICANN61[edit | edit source]

The first Indigenous Ambassador program round opened on 23 October - 17 November 2017 for ICANN61, which took place in Puerto Rico, held 10-15 March 2018.[4]

A second call for a volunteer to serve as a mentor for the GIAP was announced on 20 December 2017 and concluded on 8 January 2018.[5]

Two women, Chyloe Healy and Lilian Bruges, from Indigenous communities in Canada and Colombia respectively, and ICANN60 Mentor Geoffrey Blackwell were selected by the Evaluation Committee.[6]

Future[edit | edit source]

At this time, there are no further updates regarding the Global Indigenous Ambassador Program.[6]