[NCUC-EC] NCUC Outreach Activity during ICANN81

Fri Oct 18 22:25:18 CEST 2024

Amin, thank you for continuing to raise this issue. IMO, if there is an opportunity for engagement with local institutions that are aligned with our mission, then we should do what we can to be inclusive. 

I do not think that an outside event is feasible due to cost and other factors. However, there should be opportunity to engage within the context of the ICANN meeting itself. 

We already have plans in place for the Issue Forum and the NCUC Membership meeting, so we will need to find another way. I recall that it is sometimes possible to get a room that is not used at some point during the meeting. I forgot what this is called, but it is an unused room without any services, such as connectivity, meaning we cannot have a zoom component and won’t be on the schedule. While a wider audience would be nice, it is not essential for an interaction between local civil society and NCSG/NCUC/NPOC members.

The only issue is that the local NGO members would need to register for ICANN81, but that should not be a problem as it is free for all to attend. 

Perhaps Andrea can assist with letting us know if this is possible.

Also, let me know what you think.

Ken

From: NCUC-EC <ncuc-ec-bounces at lists.ncuc.org> On Behalf Of Amin Hacha
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2024 3:09 PM
To: Benjamin Akinmoyeje <benakin at gmail.com>
Cc: Exec. Comm <ncuc-ec at lists.ncuc.org>
Subject: Re: [NCUC-EC] NCUC Outreach Activity during ICANN81

Benjamin,
I need to address something important with you. We're here to work together as professionals, not to give or take orders. It's crucial that we make decisions together rather than you trying to manipulate the situation. I won't participate in that kind of behavior; and it's not the approach I support.

Seher (ICANN staff in the Istanbul office) replied to us on 9 August, and you, Ines, and Pedro were also copied on the email. She mentioned:

" ... I reached out 4 civil society organizations who are primary focusing on internet users rights, and the issues at the intersection of technology, society and culture.Two of them already confirmed their attendance to ICANN81. If NCUC session date/time is fixed, we can also expand the context of invitation and  invite them to join your session.  I talked to our friends from universities, scheduling a lecture/seminar at the time of ICANN event would not be preferred as it is very much likely conflict with exam period." ...

I don't want to remind you of how you underestimated the significance of what I was saying concerning this subject during the followed EC meeting.
Anyway, in her email Seher pointed out the challenges of scheduling meetings during the exam period for universities. She also proposed four civil society organizations, with two already confirmed to attend. On the other hand, nothing clear yet regarding ISOC Istanbul, just as you did not share with us details about Adam's reply to you. 

On my part, in addition to my communication with Seher, I communicated by email to the NCUC members, and I did not say that we could not proceed with the session or anything similar. We had assistance from Seher, which you rejected. The main questions I have been asking from the beginning, and I will repeat: if you want to organize the event outside the convention, can you tell us where? Who do you think is ready to organize and invite several local people interested to meet us? What do you have to offer them? Is there a clear project we can discuss with the attendees or the NGOs? Especially considering that you want to hold the meeting in the middle of a working day, taking into account what Seher mentioned about the exam period for university students. Also, I raised the challenge of navigating Istanbul due to our unfamiliarity with the city. This could potentially result in significant time loss as we attempt to meet with maybe two or three individuals.

I don't want to continue analyzing or explaining further. You were not clear, and you didn't respect the work of others.

As EC members, we are responsible for identifying any opportunity that can serve the NCUC mission. I propose organizing a meeting after the opening ceremony at the convention center, where we can invite ISOC Istanbul and other NGOs and academies who are supposed to be at the ICANN opening ceremony. In order to proceed with organizing this meeting, it is essential that the EC members recognize its potential to enhance the NCUC during ICANN81, or EC find that our two other sessions are deemed sufficient.

Thank you all for your attention. Let's keep the focus on replies only for the next steps, please.
Regards,
Amin

On Fri, Oct 18, 2024 at 12:45 AM Benjamin Akinmoyeje <benakin at gmail.com <mailto:benakin at gmail.com> > wrote:

Dear Amin,
Thank you for your email and for bringing up this issue.

We floated the idea of outreach in August, and we connected with ISOC TR, and you were supposed to help lead the process. Still, as indicated by the engagement with Seher, you returned that it was not advisable to have an offsite event.
Onsite, we already have two events to share in response to the email. 

I requested that you allow us to discuss the issue (those willing to) on WhatsApp because you keep telling us in the chat that we can not do outreach (since   ICANN staff said we must not do it).

Is your concern because we are exploring opportunities to have an outreach offsite?
I mentioned your concerns about transportation around Istanbul and other challenges you raised to the ECs.

There is still no guarantee that the event will happen. The discussion with Adam Peak was to seek his guidance, and he offered to connect us to a civil society org.

Please share the two NCUC meetings at ICANN with Seher to share with the local communities.

Kind regards,

Benjamin 

On Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 7:23 PM Amin Hacha <aminhacha at gmail.com <mailto:aminhacha at gmail.com> > wrote:

Dear EC members,
I’m reaching out to seek clarification on the NCUC Outreach session during ICANN81. I must express my discomfort with the recent handling of this matter.

Previously, I was instructed to liaise with Seher, an ICANN staff member working in Istanbul office and in charge of communication with the local community. I have attached Seher's positive reply, which was CC'd to all of us (Ines, Pedro, and Benjamin) on 9 August. During our recent meeting, I expressed my desire to resume communication with Seher. I didn’t do it because of Benjamin's response, suggesting to keep out the ICANN staff. However, later Benjamin said that he is communicating with Adam (ICANN staff) without sharing any emails or communication with us.

I also raised concerns about the location of the session being outside the convention center in Istanbul, which could pose logistical challenges. We lack vital details about the attendees and the venue, which is disconcerting. As visitors to Istanbul, we risk losing precious time, in a day with other agendas, finding our way to the location. Despite my recommendation to host the meeting at the convention center, Benjamin rejected the idea.

Furthermore, I sought clarity on the arrangements for the location and other pertinent details. However, I received a response suggesting that I stay out of this session. Given our shared responsibility and that this will be published as a NCUC EC organized initiative, I am seeking to better understand the objectives we aim to achieve.
Regards,
Amin

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