DotConnectAfrica Communication and Endorsements
DotConnectAfrica Initiative has received endorsements and communications from regional and international institutions supporting its role in advancing African internet governance and the DotAfrica initiative.
Top Endorsers of the DotConnectAfrica Initiative
African Union (AU)
The African Union provided institutional recognition and engagement regarding the DotAfrica initiative through its internet governance and policy coordination structures.
African Union (AU) – Coordinates African Heads of State
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) engaged in regional coordination discussions supporting Africa’s digital identity and domain governance initiatives.
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) – Coordinates African Ministries
IDRU Endorsement
IDRU expressed support for DotConnectAfrica’s efforts in multilingual and internationalized domain name policy development.
IDRU Endorsement of DotConnectAfrica
Corporate Council on Africa (CCA)
The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in Washington DC engaged in discussions related to African digital infrastructure and governance cooperation.
Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) Washington DC, USA
Kenya Government Endorsement
The Government of Kenya was referenced in communications related to the DotAfrica policy and regional internet governance participation.
Kenya Government Endorsement of the DotConnectAfrica Initiative
Other Endorsements
AU Mission dotAfrica Endorsement
This endorsement reflects diaspora engagement in the DotAfrica initiative through AU Mission channels.
AU Mission dotAfrica endorsement, representing the African diaspora
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) – Ethiopia
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) in Ethiopia is referenced in relation to engagement and support for regional digital cooperation and the DotAfrica initiative, contributing to broader discussions on Africa’s digital identity and internet governance development.
MoTAC Ethiopia dotAfrica endorsement
Republic of South Africa – DotAfrica Engagement
The Republic of South Africa is associated with regional internet governance discussions and engagement related to the DotAfrica initiative, reflecting its participation in Africa’s digital policy and infrastructure development conversations.
South Africa dotAfrica endorsement
Kingdom of Lesotho – DotAfrica Endorsement
The Kingdom of Lesotho is referenced among African states engaged in discussions around the DotAfrica initiative, supporting regional efforts toward a unified African digital identity and internet governance framework.
Kingdom of Lesotho dotAfrica endorsement
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Internationalized Domain Names (IDN) Policy Leadership – Endorsements from Global Pioneers
During her tenure on the ICANN GNSO Council (2005–2007), Sophia Bekele championed the inclusion of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) into ICANN policy, working to ensure the internet serves the world’s non-Latin language communities. Her leadership in this effort earned endorsements from the engineers and policymakers who built the foundation for a multilingual internet.
David Allen, Executive Director, Internationalized Domain Resolution Union (IDRU)Internationalized Domain Resolution Union (IDRU)
IDRU Endorsement for Sophia’s IDN leadership
“Ms. Bekele, as a former GNSO advisor to ICANN, you have worked hard and long to champion Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). You have made the case within ICANN for a policy development process that will see IDNs in service of the world community – and you have done so successfully.”(December 5, 2010)
Yoav Keren, Registrars Constituency representative for the IDN President Advisory Committee, and CEO of Domain The Net Technologies Ltd., the registry for Hebrew domain names, May 20, 2008.
Testimonial on Sophia Bekele’s influential role in drafting IDN policy guidelines and advocating for the global IDN community.
Letter of Testimonial from Yoav Keren
“During her appointment, Ms. Bekele in her capacity as policy advisor to ICANN has worked very hard to influence the policy initiation and discussion with ICANN. These issues to overcome were contentious and controversial with complicated political and commercial implications and interest. Ms. Bekele strongly advocated and navigated through the complexities and we formed the formal IDN working group to discuss the policy issues.
Ms. Bekele further went on to aggressively bring the voices of many early adaptor of IDN businesses and countries who implemented IDNs, to the policy dialog of ICANN. She also was very instrumental in drafting the IDN policy guideline within the working group, as well as develop a framework for leading a language group.
Towards this end, in her key leadership role at ICANN, Ms. Bekele has demonstrated that she can initiate debate, lead and successfully launch a policy initiative to effect change. (May 28, 2008)
Dr. Tin Wee Tan, Associate Professor, National University of Singapore, Internet Hall of Famer
Testimonial on Sophia Bekele’s role in championing IDNs and her persistence, courage, and integrity
Letter of Testimonial from Dr. Tin Wee Tan.
“During my acquaintance with Sophia, she was championing IDNs which I had previously implemented in March 1998… Sophia pushed very hard for a policy dialog through the GNSO Board and finally through the ICANN Board, where we now have IDN policy formally. I found Sophia to be a quick learner on new issues, persistent, and courageous. She is a team player with integrity.” (April 2009)
Dr. Subbiah Subramanian, Chairman, iDNS.net International, Ex-Stanford University, Co-Inventor of IDN:
Testimonial on Sophia Bekele’s role in confirming Sophia Bekele’s role in reversing ICANN’s IDN policy and initiating the pan-African .africa brand.
Letter of support from Dr. Subbiah,
“The call https://dotconnectafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SAB-Support-Letter_SubbiahS1.pdffor such a Pan-African brand was largely initiated by Sophia Bekele, who is no newcomer to spearheading new ways of thinking at ICANN. Years ago, her heroic efforts during her tenure as a newbie GNSO advisor to ICANN in reversing the disastrous and misguided course that IDN policy took within ICANN at that time is now well documented and attested to by the opposite direction in which the IDN portion of the new gTLD process at ICANN has since gone as bespeaks a true visionary, while she never been shy of controversy, under her stewardship DCA for the past 5 years continued with tireless effort to promote the cause and need for .africa gTLD. The Tireless campaign for .Africa has earned DCA respects in the ranks of internet technology movers and shakers.” (April 2009)
Note: Dr. Tin Wee Tan, Dr. Subbiah Subramanian, and Yoav Karen also served as members of the DotConnectAfrica Global Advisory Leadership Board, reflecting their ongoing commitment to our mission and their confidence in our work.
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AU Deputy Erastus Mwencha Letter to DCA Read
Letter to AU Chairman on Dotafrica Endorsement – Response to Deputy’s Comment Read
Follow-up comments on AU Endorsement Read
DCA Commentary: Response to the AU Commission Communiqué (Clarification on DotAfrica) Read
A Press Briefing -African Union & UNIFORUM SA should beware of Wrongdoing over DotAfrica Read
