Changes

DCA criticized AUC’s statement and plan to implement the EOI submission competition process before providing its endorsement to the  DotAfrica application with the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]]. DCA said that AUC’s objective for accountability and transparency is “hollow and unbelievable” because the Commission did not even acknowledge the previous endorsement issued by Chairman Ping. Furthermore, DCA pointed out that the EOI process is bias because the AU Task Force already expressed its support for AfTLD during the 2011 annual African [[ccTLD]] event in Ghana. DCA encouraged all organizations  to disregard the AU EOI process and asked AUC to stop it.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11503736-yes2dotafrica-say-no-to-african-union-expression-of-interest-eoi-for-dotafrica.html Yes2DotAfrica Say "No" to African Union Expression of Interest (EOI) for DotAfrica]</ref><ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150-101/Post_Event_Press_release_final+AftLD.pdf event in Accra]</ref>

DCA criticized AUC’s statement and plan to implement the EOI submission competition process before providing its endorsement to the  DotAfrica application with the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]]. DCA said that AUC’s objective for accountability and transparency is “hollow and unbelievable” because the Commission did not even acknowledge the previous endorsement issued by Chairman Ping. Furthermore, DCA pointed out that the EOI process is bias because the AU Task Force already expressed its support for AfTLD during the 2011 annual African [[ccTLD]] event in Ghana. DCA encouraged all organizations  to disregard the AU EOI process and asked AUC to stop it.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11503736-yes2dotafrica-say-no-to-african-union-expression-of-interest-eoi-for-dotafrica.html Yes2DotAfrica Say "No" to African Union Expression of Interest (EOI) for DotAfrica]</ref><ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150-101/Post_Event_Press_release_final+AftLD.pdf event in Accra]</ref>

===Continuous Promotional Campaign at ICANN Meetings===

===Continuous Promotional Campaign at ICANN Meetings & Other Forums===

DCA continued to campaign and promote its bid to sponsor and operate the DotAfrica gTLD particurly during ICANN Meetings. During the [[ICANN 38]] in Brussels, DCA served as one of the event sponsors. The organization also sponsored a delegation from Africa to become part of the policy debate that would help shape the position of the African community regarding the issue on the implementation of ICANN's new gTLD expansion program.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10803421-progress-towards-africa-at-icann-38-in-brussels-the-capital-of-europe.html  Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe]</ref>

DCA continued to campaign and promote its bid to sponsor and operate the DotAfrica gTLD particurly during ICANN Meetings. During the [[ICANN 38]] in Brussels, DCA served as one of the event sponsors. The organization also sponsored a delegation from Africa to become part of the policy debate that would help shape the position of the African community regarding the issue on the implementation of ICANN's new gTLD expansion program.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10803421-progress-towards-africa-at-icann-38-in-brussels-the-capital-of-europe.html  Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe]</ref>

During the [[IGF|Internet Governance Forum]] in Kenya on July 29, 2010, DCA urged the participants to support its application as the sponsor and  registry operator for the DotAfrica gTLD. During the event, Bekele informed the attendees that DCA already submitted its EOI to ICANN. According to her,''"After the high level endorsments we received as per the application, we are now in the process of reaching out to the technical community to gain support based on the merit and the benefits of the initiative, and hoping that such forums as IGF would create a neutral platform for debate and raising issues with the .africa domain name and internet governance."'' She also said that the DCA governance model is based on the Kenya Network Information Center's (KeNIC) multi-stakeholder model.<ref>

During the [[ICANN 39]] in Cartagena, Columbia on December 2010, Bekele shared her statement during the public forum urging the ICANN Board not to delay the applcation process for new gTLDs and enumerated the three key principles that will serve as the foundation of DCA's governance to the DotAfrica gTLD. These principles include: Branding the African continent's product and services through the DotAfrica gTLD to inform people around the world about the positive things Africa has to offer, DCA created “generation.africa” as a theme to empower the youth in Africa, adapt and use the power of the internet; and to shift the industry from US market of .com and .org  to Africa empowered by the dotafrica registry, which will be located in the continent.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11150099-dotconnectafrica-statement-to-icann-public-forum-cartegena-colombia.html DotConnectAfrica statement to ICANN public forum, Cartegena, Colombia]</ref>

[http://www.prlog.org/10810259-dotconnnectafrica-calls-for-support-of-africa-at-kenya-internet-governance-forum-igf.html DotConnnectAfrica calls for support of ".africa" at Kenya Internet Governance Forum (IGF)]</ref>

On March 2011, during the [[ICANN 40]]  Meeting in San Francisco, DCA and its delegation introduced its '''Yes to DotAfrica Campaign.''' During the event, Bekele spoke to registry vendors about DCA's EOI to apply for .africa. She claimed that majority of the ICANN community support her initiative. Bekele also said that DCA welcomes all African internet agencies and international partners that are willing to collaborate and provide guidance in the bid to apply for the DotAfrica TLD. <ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2011/03/yes2dotafrica-campaign-successful-icann-40-san-francisco-ca/ Yes2dotAfrica Campaign successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, CA]</ref>

On March 2011, during the [[ICANN 40]]  Meeting in San Francisco, DCA and its delegation introduced its '''Yes to DotAfrica Campaign.''' During the event, Bekele spoke to registry vendors about DCA's EOI to apply for .africa. She claimed that majority of the ICANN community support her initiative. Bekele also said that DCA welcomes all African internet agencies and international partners that are willing to collaborate and provide guidance in the bid to apply for the DotAfrica TLD. <ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2011/03/yes2dotafrica-campaign-successful-icann-40-san-francisco-ca/ Yes2dotAfrica Campaign successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, CA]</ref>

DCA also attended the [[ICANN 41]] meeting in Singapore on June 2011 and [[ICANN 42]] in Dakar, Senegal on October of 2011 respectively. During the two previous events, Bekele took the opportunity to promote the Yes to DotAfrica campaign. In Senegal, the organization provided an exhibit to participants featuring its vision for the DotAfrica gTLD.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11563212-dotafrica-africa-made-history-with-icann-in-singapore.html DotAfrica (.africa) made History with ICANN in Singapore!]</ref> <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11716873-successful-yes2dotafrica-campaign-at-the-icann-42-meeting-in-dakar-senegal.html A Successful Yes2dotAfrica Campaign at the ICANN-42 Meeting in Dakar, Senegal!]</ref>

DCA also attended the [[ICANN 41]] meeting in Singapore on June 2011 and [[ICANN 42]] in Dakar, Senegal on October of 2011 respectively. During the two previous events, Bekele took the opportunity to promote the Yes to DotAfrica campaign. In Senegal, the organization provided an exhibit to participants featuring its vision for the DotAfrica gTLD.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11563212-dotafrica-africa-made-history-with-icann-in-singapore.html DotAfrica (.africa) made History with ICANN in Singapore!]</ref> <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11716873-successful-yes2dotafrica-campaign-at-the-icann-42-meeting-in-dakar-senegal.html A Successful Yes2dotAfrica Campaign at the ICANN-42 Meeting in Dakar, Senegal!]</ref>

==DCA Preliminary Advisory Board & Team Members==

==DCA Preliminary Advisory Board & Team Members==