Changes

==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]]<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-04nov05-en.htm, Nominating Committee Announces Final Selections for Key Leadership Positions within ICANN 4 November 2005]</ref> , 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>[http://nomcom.icann.org/candidate-bios-2005.htm GNSO-IDN-WG, IDN Chair Nomination, Oct 2006]</ref>  

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]]<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-04nov05-en.htm, Nominating Committee Announces Final Selections for Key Leadership Positions within ICANN 4 November 2005]</ref> , 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<ref>[http://gnso.icann.org/en/search/icann-search/sophia%20bekele, GNSO Activities]</ref>. 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>[http://gnso.icann.org/en/issues/vertical-integration/soi-vi-pdp-wg-01apr10-en#bekele, Vertical Integration Policy Development Process Working Group]</ref> <ref>[http://nomcom.icann.org/candidate-bios-2005.htm GNSO-IDN-WG, IDN Chair Nomination, Oct 2006]</ref> <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11222383-dotconnectafrica-open-letter-to-us-department-of-commerce.html, OPEN Letter to US Department of Commerce]</ref> <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1109084848076.html, DotConnectAfrica Welcome 2012 - The Year for new gTLDs]</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>