Changes

CBS International, is a private California-based firm engaged in technology transfer to emerging economies, which also set up SbCommunications Network, an Ethiopian IT company.  In 2002 SbCNet was known for being successfully awarded a highly controversial bid for a government contract to build an integrated information network infrastructure for the Ethiopian Parliament.<ref>[http://cbsegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/auditor-says-parliament-award-improper.pdf Ethiopian Parliament Integrated Information Network Infrastructure]</ref>

CBS International, is a private California-based firm engaged in technology transfer to emerging economies, which also set up SbCommunications Network, an Ethiopian IT company.  In 2002 SbCNet was known for being successfully awarded a highly controversial bid for a government contract to build an integrated information network infrastructure for the Ethiopian Parliament.<ref>[http://cbsegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/auditor-says-parliament-award-improper.pdf Ethiopian Parliament Integrated Information Network Infrastructure]</ref>

Bekele has served on United Nations-sponsored committees and initiatives, such as the UNECA-sponsored African Information Society Initiative (AISI), UNGAID, and UNPAN, where she represents the private sector in discussions about the economic development of Africa.<ref>[http://sophiabekele.com/leadership/ Sophia Bekele Leadership]</ref>  She was elected member of the ICANN Council of the GNSO (Generic Names Supporting Organization)<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-04nov05-en.htm Sophia Bekele ICANN GNSO]</ref>, which advises on global internet policy. During her term at [[ICANN]], she has championed the IDN Policy Dialog for the international community. Concurrently, Bekele initiated the first African-run Registry for a .africa TLD, under DotConnectAfrica Trust, and run a successful 6-year “Yes2dotAfrica” global awareness campaign.  <ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/Governments-have-no-role-in-managing-gTLDs Governments have no role in managing gTLDs]</ref> <ref>[https://thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/living-and-the-arts/lifestyle/item/324-an-ethiopian-woman-fighting-for-africa-a-new-generic-top-level-domain An Ethiopian woman fighting for .africa, a new generic Top-Level Domain]</ref>

Bekele has served on United Nations-sponsored committees and initiatives, such as the UNECA-sponsored African Information Society Initiative (AISI), UNGAID, and UNPAN, where she represents the private sector in discussions about the economic development of Africa.<ref>[http://sophiabekele.com/leadership/ Sophia Bekele Leadership]</ref>  She was elected member of the ICANN Council of the GNSO (Generic Names Supporting Organization), which advises on global internet policy.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-04nov05-en.htm Sophia Bekele ICANN GNSO]</ref>  During her term at [[ICANN]], she has championed the IDN Policy Dialog for the international community. Concurrently, Bekele initiated the first African-run Registry for a .africa TLD, under DotConnectAfrica Trust, and run a successful 6-year “Yes2dotAfrica” global awareness campaign.  <ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/Governments-have-no-role-in-managing-gTLDs Governments have no role in managing gTLDs]</ref> <ref>[https://thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/living-and-the-arts/lifestyle/item/324-an-ethiopian-woman-fighting-for-africa-a-new-generic-top-level-domain An Ethiopian woman fighting for .africa, a new generic Top-Level Domain]</ref>

In 2013, Bekele was named Top <b><i>“50 Trailblazers – A future made in Africa”</i></b>, by the influential UK’s NewAfrican Magazine, a <i>“Collector’s Edition”</i> which coincide with the continent’s 50th anniversary celebrations of the African Union, and featured individuals <i>“who are realizing significant achievements in their specific field of endeavor” and who are “breaking ground, making Africa proud and propelling it into a future of great hope.”  </i><ref>[http://techmoran.com/juliana-rotich-jason-njoku-alex-okosi-sophia-bekele-barrack-obama-named-top-50-african-trailblazers-by-uks-newafrican-magazine/,Sophia Bekele, A future made in Africa-50 Trailblazers under 50 MADE IN AFRICA!_New African]</ref> <ref>[http://issuu.com/icpubs/docs/na0513_combinedissue_lowres?e=6326645/2549184,A future made in Africa-50 Trailblazers under 50 MADE IN AFRICA!_New African page 59]</ref>  

In 2013, Bekele was named Top <b><i>“50 Trailblazers – A future made in Africa”</i></b>, by the influential UK’s NewAfrican Magazine, a <i>“Collector’s Edition”</i> which coincide with the continent’s 50th anniversary celebrations of the African Union, and featured individuals <i>“who are realizing significant achievements in their specific field of endeavor” and who are “breaking ground, making Africa proud and propelling it into a future of great hope.”  </i><ref>[http://techmoran.com/juliana-rotich-jason-njoku-alex-okosi-sophia-bekele-barrack-obama-named-top-50-african-trailblazers-by-uks-newafrican-magazine/,Sophia Bekele, A future made in Africa-50 Trailblazers under 50 MADE IN AFRICA!_New African]</ref> <ref>[http://issuu.com/icpubs/docs/na0513_combinedissue_lowres?e=6326645/2549184,A future made in Africa-50 Trailblazers under 50 MADE IN AFRICA!_New African page 59]</ref>  

==ICANN Work==

==ICANN Work==

Ms. Bekele was nominated  to serve on [[ICANN]]'s [[GNSO]] policy board from 2005-2007, under the Chairmanship of [[Dr. Vinton Cerf]]. Elected by the [[NomCom]], Sophia was the first African to serve and hold a seat on the GNSO. During her tenure, Sophia worked and participated on the development of policy over the New gTLD programme for ICANN that which is now approved for implementation and saw the application of 1930 new gTLDs at ICANN. Sophia was instrumental in initiating policy dialogue over [[IDN]]s as well as the formation of an [[IDN]] working group. Ms. Bekele initiated the formation of the AfriICANN grouping within [[ICANN]]

Ms. Bekele was nominated  to serve on [[ICANN]]'s [[GNSO]] policy board from 2005-2007, under the Chairmanship of [[Dr. Vinton Cerf]]. Elected by the [[NomCom]], Sophia was the first African to serve and hold a seat on the GNSO. During her tenure, Sophia worked and participated on the development of policy over the New gTLD programme for ICANN that which is now approved for implementation and saw the application of 1930 new gTLDs at ICANN. Sophia was instrumental in initiating policy dialogue over [[IDN]]s as well as the formation of an [[IDN]] working group. Ms. Bekele initiated the formation of the AfriICANN grouping within [[ICANN]]</ref> <ref>[http://nomcom.icann.org/candidate-bios-2005.htm GNSO-IDN-WG, IDN Chair Nomination, Oct 2006]</ref>

::<i> "I am most interested in the issues of emerging economies and the use of ICT and the growth of Internet or lack thereof over these environments. Therefore, the policies developed by ICANN over issues governing the global Internet particularly domain names could determine the gap in the digital divide within these economies...I have also initiated and pursuing the efforts for a successful launch of the '.Africa' continental domain name project within ICANN and the global African community” <b>Sophia Bekele, Statement of Interest ICANN, 2005-2007</b></i> <ref>[http://mex.icann.org/node/4985, Statement of Interest]</ref>

::<i> "I am most interested in the issues of emerging economies and the use of ICT and the growth of Internet or lack thereof over these environments. Therefore, the policies developed by ICANN over issues governing the global Internet particularly domain names could determine the gap in the digital divide within these economies...I have also initiated and pursuing the efforts for a successful launch of the '.Africa' continental domain name project within ICANN and the global African community” <b>Sophia Bekele, Statement of Interest ICANN, 2005-2007</b></i> <ref>[http://mex.icann.org/node/4985, Statement of Interest]</ref>