Changes

==DotConnectAfrica Initiative for DotAfrica TLD==

==DotConnectAfrica Initiative for DotAfrica TLD==

===Endorsements to DCA===

===Endorsements to DCA===

The proposal to develop the DotAfrica TLD was first introduced by Sophia Bekele to the African Members of the [[ICANN]] Board and different African organizations of the ICANN community during the [[ICANN 28]] meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in 2007. She emphasized the importance of the .africa domain name for the benefit of the African region’s internet development and it will serve as global identity for African internet users just like [[.asia]] and [[.eu]]. Furthermore, Bekele pointed out to her colleagues that the DotAfrica initiative is in compliance with the objective and policies of international organizations to enhance the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) of the African continent including the WSIS, African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). <ref>[http://www.slideshare.net/Nyosef/dotafrica .Africa's Map in the Digital Inclusion: A Common Voice for Africa By Sophia Bekele]</ref> During the [[ICANN 32]] International ICANN Public Meeting, Bekele officially announced her bid to apply for the DotAfrica TLD through DotConnectAfrica.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2008/06/22-june-2008-paris-icann-dot-africa-initiative-announced-icann-paris-meeting/ 22 June 2008 – Paris ICANN: DotAfrica Initiative announced at ICANN Paris meeting]</ref> The organization received endorsement and support from the African Union Authority (AUA) through its’ chairman Jean Ping on August 27, 2009. Ping expressed that AUA is willing to assist DCA in coordinating the DotAfrica initiative to the African ministers and governments.<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/31565131/African-Union-AU-Endorsement-of-DotConnectAfrica#fullscreen:on African Union Commission Letter, Subject: Endorsement of the Dot Africa (.africa) Initiative]</ref> In addition, Amina Salima, head if the AU Mission in Washington also supported DCA’s DotAfrica initiative. Salima said, "one of the objectives of the African Union mission in the USA is to mobilize the African Diaspora efforts. Towards this end, the AU mission would like to express support for the .africa initiative".  Abdoulie Janneh, UN under-secretary-general and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission of Africa (ECA) also sent a letter of endorsement to DCA stating the following, "I write to express my support on behalf of ECA.  This is a worthwhile initiative that will contribute substantially to helping Africa bridge the digital divide.  It will certainly help the continent to derive similar benefits from the successful experience from the European Union which has the .eu domain and that of Asia with its .asia domain.” Other high ranking officials from different  governments in Africa also supported DCA’s initiative.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10497979-african-union-endorses-the-domain-name-africa-to-dotconnectafrica-organization.html African Union endorses the domain name “.Africa” to DotConnectAfrica Organization]</ref> During  the [[ICANN 37]] Meeting at Nairobi, Kenya in 2010, the members of the Nairobi technical community who attended the public forum also expressed their support to DCA.<ref>

The proposal to develop the DotAfrica TLD was first introduced by Sophia Bekele to the African Members of the [[ICANN]] Board and different African organizations of the ICANN community during the [[ICANN 28]] meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in 2007. She emphasized the importance of the .africa domain name for the benefit of the African region’s internet development and it will serve as global identity for African internet users just like [[.asia]] and [[.eu]]. Furthermore, Bekele pointed out to her colleagues that the DotAfrica initiative is in compliance with the objective and policies of international organizations to enhance the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) of the African continent including the [[WSIS]], African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). <ref>[http://www.slideshare.net/Nyosef/dotafrica .Africa's Map in the Digital Inclusion: A Common Voice for Africa By Sophia Bekele]</ref> During the [[ICANN 32]] International ICANN Public Meeting, Bekele officially announced her bid to apply for the DotAfrica TLD through DotConnectAfrica.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2008/06/22-june-2008-paris-icann-dot-africa-initiative-announced-icann-paris-meeting/ 22 June 2008 – Paris ICANN: DotAfrica Initiative announced at ICANN Paris meeting]</ref> The organization received endorsement and support from the '''African Union Commission (AUC)''' through its’ chairman Jean Ping on August 27, 2009. Ping expressed that AUA is willing to assist DCA in coordinating the DotAfrica initiative to the African ministers and governments.<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/31565131/African-Union-AU-Endorsement-of-DotConnectAfrica#fullscreen:on African Union Commission Letter, Subject: Endorsement of the Dot Africa (.africa) Initiative]</ref> In addition, Amina Salima, head if the '''African Union Mission'''' in Washington also supported DCA’s DotAfrica initiative. Salima said, "one of the objectives of the African Union Mission in the USA is to mobilize the African Diaspora efforts. Towards this end, the AU mission would like to express support for the .africa initiative".  Abdoulie Janneh, UN under-secretary-general and Executive Secretary of the '''Economic Commission of Africa (ECA)''' also sent a letter of endorsement to DCA stating the following, "I write to express my support on behalf of ECA.  This is a worthwhile initiative that will contribute substantially to helping Africa bridge the digital divide.  It will certainly help the continent to derive similar benefits from the successful experience from the European Union which has the .eu domain and that of Asia with its .asia domain.” Other high ranking officials from different  governments in Africa also supported DCA’s initiative.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10497979-african-union-endorses-the-domain-name-africa-to-dotconnectafrica-organization.html African Union endorses the domain name “.Africa” to DotConnectAfrica Organization]</ref> During  the [[ICANN 37]] Meeting at Nairobi, Kenya in 2010, the members of the Nairobi technical community who attended the public forum also expressed their support to DCA.<ref>

[http://www.prlog.org/10609436-nairobi-technical-community-urged-icanns-strong-support-for-dcas-efforts-on-africa-domain.html Nairobi Technical Community urged ICANN's strong support for DCA's efforts on '.africa' domain!]</ref>

[http://www.prlog.org/10609436-nairobi-technical-community-urged-icanns-strong-support-for-dcas-efforts-on-africa-domain.html Nairobi Technical Community urged ICANN's strong support for DCA's efforts on '.africa' domain!]</ref>