Changes

Other Trust programs identified by DCA include Miss.africa, Generation.africa and driving the capacity of the African ccTLDs.

Other Trust programs identified by DCA include Miss.africa, Generation.africa and driving the capacity of the African ccTLDs.

   

   

The Yes2dotafrica campaign is a multi-lingual advocacy campaign that was set up as part of the trust program of DotConnectAfrica's (DCA) established in 2007 and has gained global recognition and been given credence as a platform for advocacy of the benefits of DotAfrica gTLD and technology transfer to Africa.  As a result, the campaign has received a huge amount of positive feedback and global media coverage since its inception<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11041902-brains-behind-africa-reports-diplomat-eastafrica-profiling-bekeles-work.html "Brains behind .africa" reports Diplomat EastAfrica, profiling Bekele's work]</ref>   

The Yes2dotafrica campaign is a multi-lingual advocacy campaign that was set up as part of the trust program of DotConnectAfrica's (DCA) established in 2007 and has gained global recognition and been given credence as a platform for advocacy of the benefits of DotAfrica gTLD and technology transfer to Africa.  As a result, the campaign has received a huge amount of positive feedback and global media coverage since its inception <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11041902-brains-behind-africa-reports-diplomat-eastafrica-profiling-bekeles-work.html "Brains behind .africa" reports Diplomat EastAfrica, profiling Bekele's work]</ref>   

      

      

DCA has been invited to share its knowledge and experiences at major Universities in the U.S<ref>[http://www.ggu.edu/events/display/retrieve_event.do?id=1080 Golden Gate University]</ref>   

DCA has been invited to share its knowledge and experiences at major Universities in the U.S<ref>[http://www.ggu.edu/events/display/retrieve_event.do?id=1080 Golden Gate University]</ref>   

==First Multilingual Social Media based Campaign==

==First Multilingual Social Media based Campaign==

The Yes2dotAfrica campaign is the first ever multilingual (English, French, Arabic) social media based outreach platform implemented at the time.  It used Facebook and Twitter platforms and numerous other Social media platforms in these languages to create the awareness and advocacy for the .africa domain. The successful social media outreach in combination with road shows in major African countries allowed it to  gain recognition over mainstream media.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1107603285696.html Join our "Yes2dotAfrica" campaign,]</ref>

The Yes2dotAfrica campaign is the first ever multilingual (English, French, Arabic) social media based outreach platform implemented at the time.  It used Facebook and Twitter platforms and numerous other Social media platforms in these languages to create the awareness and advocacy for the .africa domain. The successful social media outreach in combination with road shows in major African countries allowed it to  gain recognition over mainstream media.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1107603285696.html Join our "Yes2dotAfrica" campaign,]</ref>

[[File:Multilingual_dotafrica.jpg‎|right|upright|[[Multilingual Yes2dotAfrica Campaign]]]]

[[File:Multilingual_dotafrica.jpg‎|right|upright|Multilingual Yes2dotAfrica Campaign]]

==Global Campaign Outreach, Advocacy and Sponsorships==

==Global Campaign Outreach, Advocacy and Sponsorships==

==Early Recorded Championship of Yes2dotAfrica campaign==

==Early Recorded Championship of Yes2dotAfrica campaign==

DCA through the Yes2dotAfrica  campaign  has been an active supporter of the ICANN new gTLD process, and is a global stakeholder in actively promoting and campaigning for the introduction of the new gTLDs and Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). The “generation.africa” thus is an established a theme, to empower the youth to adapt the powers of the internet and its use, thus enjoying a great following thus far. Some of the early recorded activities to champion the campaign include:

DCA through the Yes2dotAfrica  campaign  has been an active supporter of the ICANN new gTLD process, and is a global stakeholder in actively promoting and campaigning for the introduction of the new gTLDs and Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). The “generation.africa” thus is an established a theme, to empower the youth to adapt the powers of the internet and its use, thus enjoying a great following thus far. Some of the early recorded activities to champion the campaign include:

[[File:United Domains Dotafrica.jpg|left|upright|[[United Domains DotAfrica New gTLD]]]]

[[File:United Domains Dotafrica.jpg|left|upright|United Domains DotAfrica New gTLD]]  

===Yes2dotAfrica Campaign Triumphs at ICANN 42 Dakar===  

 

DotConnectAfrica (DCA) was one of the principal participants and silver-level sponsor of the ICANN-42 international gathering, and was involved in various activities that took place throughout the week-long meeting in Dakar. DCA also mounted a well-attended exhibition on DotAfrica, and its Yes2DotAfrica campaign, which was visited by the Senegalese President and Head of State, H.E. Monsieur Abdoulaye Wade, and the Senegalese Minister for Telecommunications and Information/Communications Technologies, Monsieur Moustapha Guirassy. ICANN-42 was a great opportunity to focus positive attentions on DCA's Yes2DotAfrica Campaign, and we are pleased to present a summary of the main activities and important accomplishments for the benefit of our Pan-African constituency. <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1108602153904.html Yes2dotAfrica Campaign Triumphs at ICANN 42 Dakar]</ref>  

===Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe===

Brussels ICANN no. 38 held in June 2010 was a success for DotConnectAfrica as sponsor & presenting Africa's common position. In the forum was also expected that dotafrica will provide African languages with the same opportunities and allow the benefits of initiatives such as Yes2dotAfrica campaign to flourish.<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>

 

The Yes2dotAfrica  campaign was first launched in East Africa during the 2010 AITEC East Africa ICT Summit held from 7-8 September 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya. The initiative is meant to give Africa a regional identity and global presence. Sophia Bekele, executive director, DotConnectAfrica made the announcement during the summit in her Keynote speech, in the presence of hundreds who attended and a panel of other advisory board and interests discussants.<ref>[http://www.aganoconsulting.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/Programme-East-African-ICT-Summit-NEW1.pdf "Lead speaker Sophia Bekele at the "Launch of the Dot Africa East African campaign"- AITEC EAst Africa Summit]</ref> <ref>[http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/410/16/52038.html Dot Africa campaign to brand continent]</ref><ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/a-dotafrica-generation-soon-be-born A DotAfrica generation soon to be born]</ref> <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11041902-brains-behind-africa-reports-diplomat-eastafrica-profiling-bekeles-work.html "Brains behind .africa" reports Diplomat EastAfrica, profiling Bekele's work]</ref><ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/join-campaign/ Yes Campaign]</ref>  

===Yes2dotAfrica successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, California===

===Yes2dotAfrica successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, California===

The Yes2dotAfrica campaign also participated in several ICANN meetings such as the March 2011, ICANN 40 San Francisco, California also home to DCA, where ".africa" was first initiated as an African Diaspora project. The vision of a 'New African generation' was born here.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11385309-yes2dotafrica-campaign-successful-at-icann-40-in-san-francisco-ca.html Yes2dotAfrica Campaign successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, CA]</ref>

The Yes2dotAfrica campaign also participated in several ICANN meetings such as the March 2011, ICANN 40 San Francisco, California also home to DCA, where ".africa" was first initiated as an African Diaspora project. The vision of a 'New African generation' was born here.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11385309-yes2dotafrica-campaign-successful-at-icann-40-in-san-francisco-ca.html Yes2dotAfrica Campaign successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, CA]</ref>

===Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe===

===Yes2DotAfrica Campaign reported .Africa amongst top fifty (50) hottest domains===

Brussels ICANN no. 38 held in June 2010 was a success for DotConnectAfrica as sponsor & presenting Africa's common position. In the forum was also expected that dotafrica will provide African languages with the same opportunities and allow the benefits of initiatives such as Yes2dotAfrica campaign to flourish.<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>

DotConnectAfrica’s joint marketing efforts with United Domains resulted in an announcement on its pre-registrations ranking that included .Africa among the top fifty (50)hottest domains.<ref>[https://www.uniteddomains.com/new-top-level-domain/africa-domain-registration/?utm_source=3+DCA+TedBits+-+Prague%2C+post+gTLD+%22reveal%22+%2C+ICANN+New+Leadership%2C+what+&utm_campaign=DCA+TedBits+-+Prague%2C+post++gTLD+%22reveal%22+%2C+ICANN+New+Leadership%2C+what+is+next%3F+&utm_medium=archive  .africa domain]</ref> 

 

===Yes2dotAfrica Campaign Triumphs at ICANN 42 Dakar=== 

DotConnectAfrica (DCA) was one of the principal participants and silver-level sponsor of the ICANN-42 international gathering, and was involved in various activities that took place throughout the week-long meeting in Dakar. DCA also mounted a well-attended exhibition on DotAfrica, and its Yes2DotAfrica campaign, which was visited by the Senegalese President and Head of State, H.E. Monsieur Abdoulaye Wade, and the Senegalese Minister for Telecommunications and Information/Communications Technologies, Monsieur Moustapha Guirassy. ICANN-42 was a great opportunity to focus positive attentions on DCA's Yes2DotAfrica Campaign, and we are pleased to present a summary of the main activities and important accomplishments for the benefit of our Pan-African constituency. <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1108602153904.html Yes2dotAfrica Campaign Triumphs at ICANN 42 Dakar]</ref>

[[File:Sophia_Bekele_with_President_Abdoulaye_Wade.jpg|right|upright|Sophia Bekele with President Abdoulaye Wade of [[Senegal]] at the "Yes2dotAfrica " Campaign Exhibition in [[Dakar]] [[Senegal]] Oct. 2011]]

 

==DCA Major Milestones==

To date, DCA’s body of work accomplished on DotAfrica (.africa) has set the ground breaking for potential of what a gTLD can contribute for Africa and has set the trend and innovation and informed the African and Global public.

 

It was the first credible organization to make an EOI to operate & manage the DotAfrica registry from ICANN and also a  Multi-stakeholder governance model Best Practice promoter which brought awareness of ‘DotAfrica’ to the African ICT constituency, leaders and policymakers thereby receiving, Early endorsements from the continental policy makers and other stakeholders.

 

Some of the major accomplishments and major milestones include:

*DCA Announces the Establishment of a World Class Registry System<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1109794123904.html DCA Announces the Establishment of a World Class Registry System]</ref>

*Official sponsors at : The ICANN 42 Dakar Senegal <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1109794123904.html DCA Announces the Establishment of a World Class Registry System]</ref>, The ICANN38 Brussels -The 1st African TLD registry to sponsor International Conference <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10803421-progress-towards-africa-at-icann-38-in-brussels-the-capital-of-europe.html The ICANN38 Brussels -The 1st African TLD registry to sponsor International Conference]</ref>; EAIGF Kampala, Uganda <ref>[http://www.eaigf-uganda.blogspot.com/ EAIGF Kampala, Uganda]</ref>, AITEC East Africa ICT Summit <ref>[http://www.aitecafrica.com/event/view/62 AITEC East Africa ICT Summit]</ref>

*Yes campaign launched in Kenya <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10916169-dotconnectafrica-lauched-its-official-africa-campaign-at-the-aitec-ict-summit.html Yes campaign launched in at the AITEC East Africa ICT Summit]</ref>

*The Making of .Africa in Nairobi: Announcement of endorsement at ICANN 37<ref>[http://dotafrica.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html The Making of .Africa in Nairobi: Announcement of endorsement at ICANN 3]</ref>

*DCA endorsed by the Economic Commission for Africa <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10497979-african-union-endorses-the-domain-name-africa-to-dotconnectafrica-organization.html DCA endorsed by the Economic Commission for Africa]</ref>

*Letter of Notification to ICANN for Applying for Delegation of DotAfrica (.africa) TLD <ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/99725682/Letter-of-Notification-for-ICANN-for-Applying-for-Delegation-of-Dotafrica-TLD-Chairman-ICANN Letter of Notification to ICANN for Applying for Delegation of DotAfrica]</ref>

*DotAfrica was introduced and presented to ITU officials in Africa. <ref>[http://www.itu.int/ibs/ITU-D/200710kigali/index.html DotAfrica was introduced and presented to ITU officials in Africa.]</ref>

 

   

   

==Trust Programs==

==Trust Programs==

Aside from the "Yes2dotAfrica campaign" Trust program, which has been widely successful, DCA has already undertaken initiatives under its Trust program which include the following:  

Aside from the "Yes2dotAfrica campaign" Trust program, which has been widely successful, DCA has already undertaken initiatives under its Trust program where it seeks to reinvest surplus of the registry business in socio-technological development projects significant to the Pan-Africa and African constituency. This is intended to build a successful program that can benefit Africa’s youths and women in ICT.

 

The trust programs include the following:  

===Miss.africa:===

===Miss.africa:===

The miss.africa programme is a gender-focused initiative targeted mainly at female youth audiences in Africa to increase their personal involvement in early technology use and adoption with a view to improving their digital self-awareness and empowerment, and overall self-esteem.  It was inspired mainly by the DNS Women’s group of ICANN. The "Miss.Africa" program is envisioned as one of the central pillars of DCA’s corporate social responsibility program and was first launched and publicized during the ICANN gala event in Singapore <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1108602153904.htm/ Mission]</ref><ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11563212-dotafrica-africa-made-history-with-icann-in-singapore ICANN gala event in Singapore]</ref>and continued in Dakar. It is aimed at attracting more young girls and women to the Internet platform to enable them form a sizable demographic of Internet users in Africa, thereby involving them in complementary gender development initiatives that improve the lives of young girls and women<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11083155-africa-music-dance-performance-by-dca.html ".africa" music & dance performance]</ref>

The miss.africa programme is a gender-focused initiative targeted mainly at female youth audiences in Africa to increase their personal involvement in early technology use and adoption with a view to improving their digital self-awareness and empowerment, and overall self-esteem.  It was inspired mainly by the DNS Women’s group of ICANN. The "Miss.Africa" program is envisioned as one of the central pillars of DCA’s corporate social responsibility program and was first launched and publicized during the ICANN gala event in Singapore <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1108602153904.htm/ Mission]</ref> <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11563212-dotafrica-africa-made-history-with-icann-in-singapore ICANN gala event in Singapore]</ref>and continued in Dakar. It is aimed at attracting more young girls and women to the Internet platform to enable them form a sizable demographic of Internet users in Africa, thereby involving them in complementary gender development initiatives that improve the lives of young girls and women<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11083155-africa-music-dance-performance-by-dca.html ".africa" music & dance performance]</ref>

===Generation.africa:===

===Generation.africa:===

Generation.africa is a youth focused program launched by DCA to empower a new generation of Internet users in Africa using its generation.africa theme. It is intended to target different youth audiences and encourage them to be involved in discussions that define and increase their common stake-holding in the development and evolution of the Internet and how this affects them. e.g<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/generation-africa generation.africa]</ref><ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11681274-generationafrica-on-their-high-at-the-6th-igf-held-in-nairobi-kenya.html Generation.africa On their High at IGF Kenya]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1105302100111.html Generation.africa hailed "Yes2dotAfrica" at DCA's Headquarters in Mauritius]</ref>

Generation.africa is a youth focused program launched by DCA to empower a new generation of Internet users in Africa using its generation.africa theme. It is intended to target different youth audiences and encourage them to be involved in discussions that define and increase their common stake-holding in the development and evolution of the Internet and how this affects them. e.g<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/generation-africa generation.africa]</ref><ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11681274-generationafrica-on-their-high-at-the-6th-igf-held-in-nairobi-kenya.html Generation.africa On their High at IGF Kenya]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1105302100111.html Generation.africa hailed "Yes2dotAfrica" at DCA's Headquarters in Mauritius]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11036620-generationafrica-spoke-at-tandaa-symposium.html Generation.africa spoke at Tandaa Symposium]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11036620-generationafrica-spoke-at-tandaa-symposium.html Generation.africa spoke at Tandaa Symposium]</ref>

[[File:Yes2dotafrica_campaign_dakar.jpg‎|right|upright|[[Yes2dotAfrica Campaign]]]]

[[File:Yes2dotafrica_campaign_dakar.jpg‎|right|upright|Yes2dotAfrica Campaign Dakar]]

===African ccTLD’s:===

===African ccTLD’s:===

DCA has noted that African ccTLDs are at a great disadvantage and have stagnated for a very long period of time. DCA’s DotAfrica initiative has strongly advocated for African ccTLDs and proposed to work with them based on a beneficial cross-marketing scheme that would help grow the base of user registrations and also improve the technologies and businesses of the African ccTLDs eg.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10835407-domain-africa-at-kampala-an-invasion-of-armies-cannot-stop-an-idea-whose-time-has-come.html Domain .africa at Kampala - "An invasion of armies cannot stop an idea whose time has come"]</ref>

DCA has noted that African ccTLDs are at a great disadvantage and have stagnated for a very long period of time. DCA’s DotAfrica initiative has strongly advocated for African ccTLDs and proposed to work with them based on a beneficial cross-marketing scheme that would help grow the base of user registrations and also improve the technologies and businesses of the African ccTLDs eg.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10835407-domain-africa-at-kampala-an-invasion-of-armies-cannot-stop-an-idea-whose-time-has-come.html Domain .africa at Kampala - "An invasion of armies cannot stop an idea whose time has come"]</ref>

The organization has received extensive coverage, credits and recognition from local and global media including foreign language news media, ranging from over 80 diverse online and print global media coverage with readership over a billion combined and over 21 foreign media coverage nearing over 50 million readers, as well as on DotConnectAfrica championing the .africa initiative.

The organization has received extensive coverage, credits and recognition from local and global media including foreign language news media, ranging from over 80 diverse online and print global media coverage with readership over a billion combined and over 21 foreign media coverage nearing over 50 million readers, as well as on DotConnectAfrica championing the .africa initiative.

Throughout its campaign and has been featured on Yes2dotafrica has received a very high number of global media coverage throughout its campaign and has been featured on Bloomberg TV Africa program,<ref>[http://www.bloombergtvafrica.com/video/african-women-to-watch-26102013/ "African Women to Watch" - Sophia Bekele on Bloomberg TV"]</ref>

Throughout its campaign,  and has been featured on Yes2dotafrica has received a very high number of global media coverage throughout its campaign. Most of the coverage in foreign and English languages are maintained on its website.  

CNN discussion of "Yes2dotAfrica" campaign in Dakar Senegal,<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/07/tech/africa-domain-name/ Scramble for 'dot africa' internet domain name]</ref> Africa 7 TV Channel in Senegal<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUAtpDEzeoE Africa 7's Zara DERIBE in a conversation with Sophia Bekele on DotAfrica and being a Woman-In-Charge]</ref> and Nation Television (NTV) on "doing Business in Africa", <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smd6Sxp6h6U Nations TV calls Sophia Bekele on business in Africa + the new Domain for Africa]</ref> as well as Kenya's leading TV station  K24's Capital Talk "Movers and Shakers of Africa" <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfjOAtv-fMs Capital Talk, Movers and Shakers of Africa]</ref> KASS Media International,<ref>[http://dotafrica.podomatic.com/entry/2011-03-21T20_58_04-07_00 KASS Media International on her international work by CBS International and DCA activities]</ref> Radio Netherland<ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/radioshow/mobile-banking-africa%E2%80%99s-next-revolution Africa in Progress - Mobile banking: Africa’s next revolution]</ref> and a DotAfrica generation soon to be born<ref>[http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/a-dotafrica-generation-soon-be-born A DotAfrica generation soon to be born]</ref>  as well as Startup Success Radio in the US.[http://www.prlog.org/11631681-start-up-success-san-francisco-web-20-meets-yes2dotafrica.html Start-Up Success San Francisco-Web 2.0 meets "Yes2dotAfrica"]</ref>

<ref>[http://dotconnectafrica.org/media/dca-global-media-coverage/ Global Media Coverage]</ref>

===Selected media coverage===

===Selected media coverage===