<nettime> Democracy in Cyberspace Campaign...

["andrew garton [c2o]" <agarton@c2o.org>]

apologies for cross-posts.

=============================================
ICANN & CIVIL SOCIETY
=============================================

Who controls the Internet?  
ICANN wants to.
Register to vote in the ICANN elections by July 31 
and ....
PROMOTE DEMOCRACY IN CYBERSPACE.

=============================================

WHAT IS ICANN? 
==============
ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is an
NGO  which was created after calls by the US government for a body to be
set up to administer policy for the Internet name and address system (DNS). 


WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT ICANN? 
==============================

Until now, ICANN has been dominated by commercial and technical
interests. Such a homogeneous body has every potential to become a
'World Trade Organization in cyberspace', defining policy and
legislating changes to the Internet which will affect us all, and which
favour big business over individuals.  Already certain decisions taken
by ICANN have clearly demonstrated this bias.

Now, for the first time, ICANN is opening up and accepting five
non-technical, non-commercial Board directors; one from five of the
world's regions.  These new directors will be elected by ICANN's 'at
large' members.  Anyone can register to become an 'at large' member.  

Register to vote, so together, we can get pro-social justice,
pro-development candidates from civil society elected to the ICANN
Board. 


HOW CAN I PROMOTE DEMOCRACY IN CYBERSPACE?
==========================================

o Become an ICANN at-large member by July 31: Register to vote at

http://members.icann.org/join_now.htm. 

It will take you five minutes. Voting registration ends July 31.

o Vote pro-civil society/pro-development at the ICANN Board elections:
Candidates are being nominated currently. Voting takes place in October 2000. 

o After *you* register to vote, send this message to five friends
encouraging *them* to register.

o For more information write to apc-policy@apc.org and write "Open up
ICANN" in the subject line, or visit APC Internet Rights:

http://www.apc.org/english/rights/


c2o
 - Community Communications Online       | Andrew Garton
 - PO Box 304                            | agarton@c2o.org
 - Richmond 3121 Victoria AUSTRALIA      | http://www.c2o.org

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