1 Prague, Board Meeting, March Latin America and Caribbean Regional Bureau Sebastián Bellagamba, Manager

2 Prague, Board Meeting, March LAC Bureau Established late January 2007 (9 weeks of operation)Established late January 2007 (9 weeks of operation) Located in Buenos Aires, ArgentinaLocated in Buenos Aires, Argentina Coverage area includes 38 economiesCoverage area includes 38 economies –But only 8 chartered Chapters in region ArgentinaArgentina BrazilBrazil ColombiaColombia EcuadorEcuador MexicoMexico PeruPeru Puerto RicoPuerto Rico VenezuelaVenezuela

3 Prague, Board Meeting, March Bureau’s goals Promote and defend ISOC’s core valuesPromote and defend ISOC’s core values Drive regional and local recognition of ISOC, its policies and its missionDrive regional and local recognition of ISOC, its policies and its mission Promote activities and initiatives at regional and sub-regional levelsPromote activities and initiatives at regional and sub-regional levels Identify local and regional priorities for policy and educationIdentify local and regional priorities for policy and education Understand and support Chapter needsUnderstand and support Chapter needs

4 Prague, Board Meeting, March Chapter Development First tasks Get in contact with the chaptersGet in contact with the chapters – , phone calls, instant messaging Survey chapter activity levelSurvey chapter activity level –Result: 6 chapters considered active (Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico); 2 chapters considered inactive (Brazil and Venezuela)

5 Prague, Board Meeting, March Active Chapters Encourage regional chapter interaction and coordinationEncourage regional chapter interaction and coordination –Regional chapters mailing list –Website (in progress) –Instant message sessions, phone calls, Skype Provide support for local activitiesProvide support for local activities –ISOC Puerto Rico, Argentina and Brazil are planning events

6 Prague, Board Meeting, March Inactive Chapters Two inactive chapters, two different situations: VenezuelaVenezuela –No response from current officers – sent to all ISOC members –A new group was found and they are already working on a new charter BrazilBrazil –Current officers were found. Chapter set to be re- launched in mid-April with expanded membership

7 Prague, Board Meeting, March Next steps - Chapters Keep improving coordination and cooperationKeep improving coordination and cooperation In-person meeting in Venezuela (late May, with LACNIC)In-person meeting in Venezuela (late May, with LACNIC) –First regional chapter meeting –Outreaching event focused on Internet Governance (IGF in Rio!) Launch regional website (mid-April)Launch regional website (mid-April) Assist people willing to create new ChaptersAssist people willing to create new Chapters

8 Prague, Board Meeting, March Next steps - Policy Internet Governance Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as top priorityInternet Governance Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as top priority Participation in regional IG eventsParticipation in regional IG events –CITEL (OAS) - March and September –Caribbean Telecommunications Union (mid-April) –CARICOM (mid-August) –eLAC2007 (ECLAC, UN) - November A regional ISOC event on IG is being planned for SeptemberA regional ISOC event on IG is being planned for September

9 Prague, Board Meeting, March Next steps - Education Launching second phase of FRIDA small grants program (end of March) with LACNIC and IDRCLaunching second phase of FRIDA small grants program (end of March) with LACNIC and IDRC Continue to support WALC training programContinue to support WALC training program Identify priorities for new training programs in regionIdentify priorities for new training programs in region Already in talks with LACTLD for ccTLDs workshopsAlready in talks with LACTLD for ccTLDs workshops

10 Prague, Board Meeting, March Cooperation / coordination Already working with several organizations:Already working with several organizations: –LACNIC –ECLAC (UN) –ICANN –LACTLD –eCOMLAC –CITEL (OAS) –Caribbean Telecommunications Union Contacts made with:Contacts made with: –ARIN –APC

11 Prague, Board Meeting, March Questions? Thank you!