Here is IGP's take on the Amazon decision
http://www.internetgovernance.org/2017/07/23/amazon-win-sets-good-precedent/
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NCSG-Discuss [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Renata Aquino Ribeiro
> Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 2:20 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Statement - Amazonians speak about .amazon
>
> This statement is open now to sign up endorsements
>
> https://bestbits.net/amazon/
>
>
> Amazonians speak about .amazon
>
>
> We, the people in the Amazon, would like you to stop talking about us without
> hearing us first
>
>
> *****
> This is a response about the latest decision in the delegation process of the
> .amazon new gTLD domain by the Independent Review Panel at ICANN to
> Amazon
>
> https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/irp-amazon-final-declaration-
> 11jul17-en.pdf
>
> The context of this dispute is summarised in this article
>
> http://domainnamewire.com/2017/07/18/amazon-com-gets-big-win-
> domain-battle-may-yet-get-amazon-domain/
> ****
>
> In light of the twists in the process of the new gTLD .amazon, many parties
> have come forward speaking "for the benefit of the people of the Amazon"
> and staking their claim that they were doing what is best for the region
> development.
>
>
> Not once, during all this time, anyone cared to ask what our thoughts are or
> what we think the best for our region is.
>
>
> Well, we would like to ask all parties to stop talking about us as if we can't
> speak for ourselves. It must not be forgotten that the Amazon region involves
> the population of nine South American nation-states.
> For us, this is a time of challenges over the Amazon such as illegal mining,
> deforestation, water pollution among others. Any policy decision about the
> region or its name (in any language) is a matter of great interest for all of us,
> and we cannot be left aside.
>
>
> Let's start with the view of .amazon being a brand as well as a region and a
> river. We were never asked, again, when the name was used in the first place.
> The consequences of this can be seen now, when we are mistaken as a
> faceless, plain, uncharacteristic area in a world map without content or
> people, an exoticly empty part of the world to be conquered and debated
> abstractly by trademark lobbyists, private companies and governments.
>
>
> We have faces, names, content, history. Using our name to tell another story,
> a company's history, would de-characterize us? Likely not. We will not
> disappear. Instead the Amazon is a vibrant region, which bets on sustainable
> development and becomes increasingly more involved with internet
> governance, alongside with Northeast Brazil, which hosted IGF2015.
>
>
> However, using our name without acknowledging our importance is certainly
> a mistake. Using our name refers directly to a vast land of rich diversity, with
> much to uncover and with many cultural gems already discovered. So if using
> our name, at least acknowledge us, respect us. Give back to the "lung of the
> Earth," to a river which hosts hundreds of communities by its riverbanks.
> Invest on us. We want the same you do, more education, a thriving internet
> market and respect to sustainable development for a better future.
>
>
> It is also important to note that ICANN's Independent Review Panel comes at a
> moment when the discussion about the use of geographical names is very
> controversial, as it was seen in meetings in Johannesburg. And it is surprising,
> given there is no consensus yet about this theme in the community.
>
>
> Governments of nine nations also speak our name. With such ownership and
> familiarity that you could sometimes forget that we do not belong only to one
> of them. The Wikipedia, which also does not belong to only one company or
> government, can enlighten that:
>
>
> "This region includes territory belonging to nine nations. The majority of the
> forest is contained within Brazil, with 60% of the rainforest, followed by Peru
> with 13%, Colombia with 10%, and with minor amounts in Venezuela,
> Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. States or departments
> in four nations contain "Amazonas" in their names. The Amazon represents
> over half of the planet's remaining rainforests, and comprises the largest and
> most biodiverse tract of tropical rainforest in the world, with an estimated
> 390 billion individual trees divided into 16,000 species."
>
>
> This means that even if you agree with nine governments on whatever
> decision they take on the Amazon, you could still be in disagreement to half of
> the planet, and their thoughts on the importance of our region. Governments
> representational crisis is real and does not belong to one country or another.
> Governments should listen to their citizens. Yet, none of our major political
> powers are located in the Amazon and have not spoken to us about any
> aspect of the recent process.
>
>
> This becomes much more complicated when the Amazon is referred to as an
> area of indigenous population. Our indigenous population was not asked
> when colonized, the majority did not elect the government of the nine nation-
> states which comprise the Amazon. Likely, the majority of our indigenous
> population suffers from abandonment, land conflicts, health crisis and lack of
> an education system. More importantly, our indigenous population wants,
> just as companies or governments, an internet market which provides jobs
> and enables development.
> Indigenous population may not speak only Portuguese or Spanish but they can
> speak too.
>
>
> So why does everyone insists on talking about us without listening to us?
>
>
> The rainforest is disappearing fast. This process is not going to slow down
> unless there is responsibility from all stakeholders in a dialogue about our
> region and how to respect it. When referring to the new gTLDs or any issue of
> public policy, public and private sector need to address us, we are all part of a
> cross border region and an strategic navigation channel and this dialogue has
> to take this unique situation in account. It must not be forgotten that, after all,
> the multistakeholder model that we all support to have a free and open
> Internet, involves multiple parties. This is not only an issue of the private
> sector and governments, the population is a key participant, that in this
> particular matter was never consulted.
>
>
> So please, consult us.
>
> Don't take our name without talking to us.
>
> Stop talking about us as if we can't speak.
>
>
>
> Renata Aquino Ribeiro - Brasil
>
> Worked with Amazon region researchers and maintains an independent
> research group with collaborators in the region. Mixed ethnicity with relatives
> and friends in the region. Lives in NE Brazil. NCUC ICANN LAC representative.
> IGF MAG Civil Society 2016-2017.
>
> Lilian Ivete Deluque Bruges - Colombia
>
> Lives in Barranquilla, Colombia. Works in local government with indigenous
> population and vulnerable groups. Mixed ethnicity. Alumni from the South
> School of Internet Governance 2016. LACNIC27 fellow.
>
>
> Bertnell Auclene Malisa Richards - Guyana
>
> Lives in Georgetown, Guyana. Works with education and technology.
> Plans on creating IGF Guyana. ICANN58 fellow. NCUC ICANN member.
> LACRALO ICANN Member, ISOC Guyana.
>
> Patricia Vargas - Peru
>
> Researcher, PhD Candidate, School of Information Studies, Syracuse
> University. .
>
>
> Lia Solis - Bolivia
>
> LACNOG Program Committee member, LACNIC member, ICANN Fellow,
> LACRALO ICANN participant, ISOC Bolivia Board.
>
>
> Maureen Hernandez - Venezuela.
>
> ISOC Venezuela board of directors. Systems Engineer working with
> community networks in Central and Latin America. Born and raised in
> Venezuela and has been meeting indigenous communities for connectivity
> development for the last 2 years.
>
>
> Jessica Botelho - Brazil
>
> Journalist. Researcher at the Federal University of Amazonas / CNPq.
> Member of the ISOC Youth Observatory and the Center for Studies and
> Practices in Cyberculture (Manaus, Amazonas, Northern Brazil). Student of the
> Brazil Internet Governance School 2016 and the InternetLab School 2017.
>
>
> Maurília Gomes - Brazil
>
> Public Relations. Master in Communication Sciences. Researcher of
> cyberculture and social activism. Member of ISOC Brazil. Lives in Manaus,
> Amazon. Member of the Popular Audiovisual Center (CPA), an organization
> that works on human rights, indigenous population, land conflicts and climate
> change. Is also a member of the Center for Studies and Practices in
> Ciberculture (NepCiber). Mixed ethnicity with indigenous descent. Alumni
> from the Brazilian School of Internet Governance 2015.
>
>
> Hemanuel Veras - Brazil
>
> Journalist. Master in Communication Sciences. Researcher of cyberculture
> and democracy. Lives in Manaus, Amazon. Member of the Popular
> Audiovisual Center and the Center for Studies and Practices in Ciberculture
> (CPA/NepCiber). Alumni from the Brazilian School of Internet Governance
> 2016.
>
>
> Allan Gomes - Brazil
> Journalist. Researcher of cyberculture. Lives in Manaus, Amazon.
> Coordinator of the Popular Audiovisual Center (CPA) and member of the
> Center for Studies and Practices in Ciberculture (NepCiber). Approved to the
> Brazilian School of Internet Governance 2017.
>
>
> Sebastian Roa - Brazil
>
> Currently lives in the state of Amazonas. Journalism student and researcher of
> the study group of urban anthropology. Also research adolescents indigenous
> in the urban context and TICS. Currently work with UN with the Venezuelan
> emergency. Member of the Center for Studies and Practices in Ciberculture
> (NepCiber). Approved to the Brazilian School of Internet Governance 2017.
>
>
> Sinuhe Nascimento e Cruz - Brasil
>
> Born and raised in the State of Acre, the most werstern state in the brazilian
> amazon. Currently lives in São Paulo, where is developing a bachelor’s degree
> in Law at the University of São Paulo. Founder member of the Nucleum of
> Studies on Technology and Society of the University of São Paulo and also a
> member of the Environmental Law Clinic Paulo Nogueira Neto at the Law
> School of the University of São Paulo.
>
>
> Paola Perez - Venezuela
>
> Vice - president ISOC Venezuela and co- Chair LACNIC Public Policy Forum,
> OEA Cybersecurity Bootcamp fellow 2017, South School internet Governance
> 2016 alumni, ICANN LACRALO and NCUC member.
>
>
> Luã Fergus
>
> Researcher, born and raised in the Amazon region, Master's degree student in
> Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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