Changes

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

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

Despite the EU's retraction of support, DCA continued to campaign and promote its bid for .africa, particularly 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 take part in the policy debate that would help shape the position of the African community on the implementation of ICANN's [[New gTLD 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>

Despite the AU's retraction of support, DCA continued to campaign and promote its bid for .africa, particularly 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 take part in the policy debate that would help shape the position of the African community on the implementation of ICANN's [[New gTLD 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>

At [[ICANN 39]] in Cartagena, Columbia on December 2010, Bekele shared a statement during the public forum urging the ICANN Board not to delay the application process for new gTLDs, and enumerated the three key principles that serve as the foundation of DCA's governance for the .africa gTLD. These principles were: 1) branding the African continent's products and services through the .africa gTLD in order to inform people around the world about the positive things Africa has to offer; 2) DCA created “generation.africa” as a theme to empower the youth in Africa, helping them to adapt and use the power of the Internet; and 3) to shift the local domain name market from the US market of .com and .org to Africa, empowered by the DotAfrica registry to 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>

At [[ICANN 39]] in Cartagena, Columbia on December 2010, Bekele shared a statement during the public forum urging the ICANN Board not to delay the application process for new gTLDs, and enumerated the three key principles that serve as the foundation of DCA's governance for the .africa gTLD. These principles were: 1) branding the African continent's products and services through the .africa gTLD in order to inform people around the world about the positive things Africa has to offer; 2) DCA created “generation.africa” as a theme to empower the youth in Africa, helping them to adapt and use the power of the Internet; and 3) to shift the local domain name market from the US market of .com and .org to Africa, empowered by the DotAfrica registry to 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>

In March 2011, during the [[ICANN 40]] Meeting in San Francisco, DCA and its delegation introduced its Yes 2 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 supported her initiative. Bekele also said that DCA welcomed all African internet agencies and international partners that were willing to collaborate and provide guidance in the bid to apply for the .africa 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>

In March 2011, during the [[ICANN 40]] Meeting in San Francisco, DCA and its delegation introduced its "Yes2DotAfrica 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 supported her initiative. Bekele also said that DCA welcomed all African internet agencies and international partners that were willing to collaborate and provide guidance in the bid to apply for the .africa 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 in June 2011, and [[ICANN 42]] in Dakar, Senegal in October of 2011 respectively. During these events, Bekele promoted the Yes 2 DotAfrica campaign. In Senegal, the organization provided a booth featuring its vision for the .africa gTLD, and brought in many local youths participating in their generation.africa program.<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 in June 2011, and [[ICANN 42]] in Dakar, Senegal in October of 2011 respectively. During these events, Bekele promoted the Yes 2 DotAfrica campaign. In Senegal, the organization provided a booth featuring its vision for the .africa gTLD, and brought in many local youths participating in their generation.africa program.<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>