Domain .africa at Kampala - "An invasion of armies cannot stop an idea whose time has come"

Sept. 4, 2010 - PRLog -- Kampala, Uganda:  The 3rd EA-IGF, 2010 was held in Kampala, Uganda from 11th - 13th  August,  2010.  Hosted by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), I-Network Uganda, Collaboration on International ICT policy for East and Southern (CIPESA), and Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET).

The meeting explored national and regional perspectives and the following issues: Cyber crime, Policy regulatory requirements, Consumer issues, Critical Internet resources, New gTLDs, Access to broadband.

DCA presented its ".africa" project as its premier and only initiative at the meeting and was warmly received by the participants. Nearly 70% of participants raised their hands in acclamation, when asked if they would like a ".africa" identifier.  DCA's presentation covered many areas including its approach to strengthening ccTLDs,  which was the heartbeat of the forum.  Additionally. it presented the state of Africa's internet penetration, DCA's achievements and challenges to date.

Bekele, who was at the meeting made strong interventions on the heavily debated  topic 'strengthening ccTLDs'.  She said  "such IGF meetings should encourage the various forms of business models, naming amongst five the three invited ccTLDs; the nonprofit model  of ".ke", private-public-partnership of ".ru" and the pure private model like ".ug".  As long as public policy aspects can be addressed, all the models should be fully acceptable.  ICANN cannot push one model as perfect and should not interfere with government policies.  The contract is between two parties".

The other issue that Sophia clarified is how the ".africa" TLD should not be seen as a competition to ccTLDs or even regional blocks, rather, Bekele stated, "we will cross market and increase the visibility of every ccTLD that wants to work with us.  The .africa name should raise the profiles of all ccTLDs and regional blockings such as EAC or COMESA.  

"The ".africa" name was presented as a compliment rather than a competitor to existing ccTLDs",  says highlights ^ resolutions of Diplo the Internet Governance Community in its record for ".africa". http://www.diplointernetgovernance.org/profiles/blogs/3rd...

"DCA continues to seek and gain endorsements.  Many large and small businesses and stakeholders want to be identified by ".africa" name.  Additionally, we have built our online presence through our substantive websites, and social media networks informing of our activities transparently to the public and creating "generation.africa".    We have also traveled and campaigned across Africa building constituencies and getting support, as we were given mandate and appointed official sponsors to this initiative.  We are willing to be inclusive of everyone's vision".

Noting the audience's reactions to the popularity of the ".africa" name and talking to the press, Bekele said, "I quote Victor Hugo; no army is so powerful to stop an idea whose time has come.  The ".africa" TLD, it is here to stay.  I said the same when I championed IDNs at ICANN, which has turned into a success".

DCA was a supporter and sponsor of EAIGF Kampala forum. A sincere vote of thanks to the organizers and participants.

EAIGF Report: http://eaigf.or.ke/files/EAIGF_2010_Report.pdf

Press coverage in Kampala:
http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=7C756947-1A64-6A71-CE373...
http://www.newsciencejournalism.net/index.php?/news_articles/view/is_dot_eac_domain_needed/

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DCA is a not-for-profit, non-partisan org incorporated in Mauritius Africa & will sponsor, establish & operate a TLD registry with global recognition & regional significance dedicated to the needs of Pan-African &African community. DCA Reg.ID.CT8710DCA90.