<div dir="ltr">Dear NCUC members,<div><br></div><div><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-edfadd11-7fff-ee30-c898-873fad90e59a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">STATEMENT NCUC EC AFRICA</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Name: </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Benjamin Akinmoyeje</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Region: </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Africa</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Gender: </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Male</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Employment: </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Research Student</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Any conflicts of interest: </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">None</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">1    </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">   Why do you want to serve on the EC?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Serving as  NCUC EC Africa representative for the last one year has been a learning experience, I have had the privilege to motivate my constituency's engagement. We have seen increased participation of non-English speaking members. We have made some efforts to interpret announcements in french as often as possible. Finally, we succeeded in getting the second edition of Policy writing course for members with English as a second language.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Subsequently, I hope to increase the engagement of NCUC in the policy development process assertively. I hope to champion the process of simplifying topical issues for the participation of new members and the group. I hope to improve the visibility of NCUC within ICANN by ensuring a consistent push of the civil society and non-commercial agenda in  providing</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">My charge this term will be to consolidate on some of the gains we have made, by increasing NCUC participation and contribution in policy discussion and outreach in Africa.  I will endeavor to put NCUC in every IG event in Africa wherever ICANN GSE is present or not. I will work with the other ECs and the chair to improve capacity building and help strengthen the mentee’s and mentor’s engagement in NCUC.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The spread of COVID-19 is causing disruption worldwide, forcing conference cancellations, and leaving everyone scrambling for alternative ways of disseminating the work that was to be presented. This has caused an unprecedented demand for digital technologies not only to facilitate containment of the spread of COVID-19 but also to enable business continuity across all continents, including Africa. With this in mind, I will work to make sure the participation of NCUC members across Africa and elsewhere takes part in NCUC discussions.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2.     </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> Provide a brief biography of recent experience, associations, and affiliations relevant to serving</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">I have a specialization in ICT4D and Digital Health with over 10 years’ experience working in international development. I am currently a DAAD postgraduate research scholar at the Namibia University of Science and Technology and Regional Coordinator of</span><a href="http://ict4si.org/" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,255);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ICT4si.org</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> .</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">An active member of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group of NIGF, Alumni of the first AfriSIG, Alumni of AfriNIC and ICANN fellow, member of ISOC Nigeria and Namibia Chapter.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">I am a member of Nigeria Coalition of Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), consistently advocating for affordable and inclusive Internet access.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">I belong to the coalition of Africa Center for Citizens Orientation (ACCO), championing improving access for women and girls to up-to-date ICT education and some existing ICT facilities in Abuja and northern Nigeria.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">My area of research is Persuasive Technologies for health behavior change and personal informatics. I have over ten years’ experience working as an ICT4D manager in an international NGO and in public health in Nigeria. Participate in the last IGF remotely.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Experience within ICANN</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Fellowship Alumni AfrICANN group</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span class="gmail-Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">   </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Universal Acceptance Technical Working Group - </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">member</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> - participates in regular calls.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span class="gmail-Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Cross-Community Working Party - Human Right - </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">member - </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">attend calls and contributes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span class="gmail-Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">   </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In collaboration with the NCUC - EC and ICANN Staff  organized the Policy Writing course.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span class="gmail-Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">     </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Developed a blog to enlist members for the webinar</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Rights Protection Mechanisms (RPMs) in all gTLDs PDP Working Group – </span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">member – regularly on call of this WG</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-left:47pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">He is a member of other committees: ISOC IoT SIG, Nigeria ICANN Multi-Stakeholder Group, </span><span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">   </span><span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span class="gmail-Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">   </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Member and (Cybersecurity) Alumni Diplo Foundation, ISOC Namibia & Nigeria chapters.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">3 </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> The EC performs several functional responsibilities for the Constituency. What level of time commitment can you bring to your EC role on a weekly and overall basis? Describe any concerns or limitations on your ability to attend online meetings of the Executive Committee and ICANN Meetings in person.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> I  commit 8 hours or more per week and I am readily available for emergency calls or assignments. I have been committed to the course and development of the visions and missions of NCUC and ICANN. I am a full-time researcher and a student of Informatics. I am dedicated to the service of NCUC.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">4  </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> Communication with membership is critical. How would you keep members apprised of your EC-related activities?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">As a member of EC representing the African region, I have engaged my constituency actively using social media (skype, Facebook, twitter, etc). This has led to some increased interest in engagement and commitment. I hope to scale that up by moving our communication to the mailing lists with regular communication.I  will continue to explore more ways to interpret and simplify the topical issues in order to get improved participation from our members.  I will use available channels of communications such as emails, newsletters, blogs, and targeted social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Zoom, and Google Meet. Also, I will work with existing NCUC communications strategies and members to advance the work I am doing in the NCUC EC. I hope to drive engagement by linking my EC activities to some of the real-life issues and benefits of NCUC activities to the African users, especially on the issues of Access, Local Content, Human Rights, Development, Privacy, and Multilingual Internet. These issues, when addressed, will ultimately grow the domain name business in Africa. Ultimately reinforcing the stability, security and resilience of the global network</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">I hope to consolidate the gains we made in reducing Gender-gap participation from Africa in NCUC, I will continue to champion increased recruitment of female members.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">5        </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">How do you foresee NCUC’s function, scale, or role changing in the future? What areas of ICANN policy, if any, need more attention and why?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The  PIR - ISOC issue has been a major issue of discussion for the past months, and  NCUC’s view in this conversation is critical.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">With the ongoing Evolving  ICANN’s Multistakeholder  Model - it is certain NCUC engagement will evolve in the process.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">With the ongoing Evolving ICANN’s Multi-stakeholder Model - it is certain NCUC engagement will evolve in the process.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The pandemic has changed everything, also it will change  NCUC’s engagement and functions; we need to evolve to online engagement and advocacy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Our recruitment effort and inclusion of more academia, CSOs, and other non-commercial users from developing countries online is paramount.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We need to ensure the noncommercial interest or space is not reduced during the online-only engagement.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Post Covid19 era requires innovation to engage our members actively in policy development processes, this challenge is critical. I am committed to help develop solutions to sustaining NCUC members' engagement online.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Areas ICANN policy needs attention</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The great PIR -ISOC sale is a major policy concern moving forward.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ICANN Africa Strategy 2021- 2025  will see more NCUC contributions during implementation and hopefully we bring best practice to the region’s DNS market growth.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">New gTLD Auction Proceeds Cross-Community Working Group: the mechanism to utilize the resources should help improve and grow the Internet where it is lacking, especially in Africa.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">I look forward to continuing to serve the community to improve the participation of all diverse groups, especially those from developing countries and newcomers to ICANN.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Kind regards,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.554;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Benjamin Akinmoyeje</span></p></span><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></div></div>