Just a quick reaction, Fellows shouldn't be expected to speak English to be selected because ICANN meetings work with all UN languages (though English is their working language). It is still indeed a barrier because the application form is in English and I remember having serious issues to fill it some time ago (as a native French speaker). I think this needs to be looked into very seriously to ensure inclusion and diversity ------------------------ **Arsène Tungali** Co-Founder & Executive Director, *Rudi international <http://www.rudiinternational.org>*, CEO,* Smart Services Sarl <http://www.smart-serv.info>*, *Mabingwa Forum <http://www.mabingwa-forum.com>* Tel: +243 993810967 GPG: 523644A0 *Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo* 2015 Mandela Washington Felllow <http://tungali.blogspot.com/2015/06/selected-for-2015-mandela-washington.html> (YALI) - ISOC IGF Ambassador <http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programmes/next-generation-leaders/igf-ambassadors-programme/2015Ambassadors> <http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programmes/next-generation-leaders/igf-ambassadors-programme/2015Ambassadors>- Blogger <http://tungali.blogspot.com> - ICANN Fellow <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-07-18-en>. The HuffingtonPost UK <http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/liza-bel/drc_b_8958150.html> 2016-06-15 14:06 GMT+02:00 Ayden Férdeline <[log in to unmask]>: > Thanks for sharing this, Mamadou. Mama J has proposed some very sensible > changes to the Fellowship programme here. I will review the supporting > documents more closely over the coming weeks and respond to the > consultation activity in my personal capacity, but I would hope that this > renewed mandate and focus of the Fellowship programme is something we as > the NCSG are able to support. From a cursory glance at the documents, I'm > glad to see that we now acknowledge that there are factors other than > nationality which contribute to inequality — so trying to bring voices in > from women, indigenous people, the LGBT community, and those with > disabilities is a push we need. I would also suggest that linguistic > barriers remain in this proposal (I believe Fellows must speak English to > participate?), but that's a much harder obstacle to overcome and I > certainly don't have any solutions. The proposed changes to the Fellowship > programme will see it being more goal-driven and merit-based: it has my > support. > > - Ayden > > > > On Wed, Jun 15, 2016 12:52 PM, Mamadou LO [log in to unmask] wrote: > >> FYI >> >> Mamadou >> >> Envoyé depuis mon smartphone Samsung Galaxy. >> >> >> >> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 15, 2016 3:15 AM >> *Subject:* ICANN News Alert -- ICANN Fellowship Program Application >> Process Review >> >> >> >> [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> >> News Alert >> >> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-06-14-en >> ------------------------------ >> ICANN Fellowship Program Application Process Review >> >> 14 June 2016 >> >> *Open Date:* >> >> 14 June 2016 >> >> *Close Date:* >> >> 29 July 2016 >> >> *Originating Organization:* >> >> Development and Public Responsibility Department >> >> *Categories/Tags:* >> >> Reviews/Improvements >> >> *Brief Overview:* >> >> Leading up to the ten-year anniversary of ICANN's Fellowship program, the >> organization has evaluated this successful initiative in order to address >> the needs of the global community and provide appropriate enhancements to >> ensure that the program will continue to thrive while addressing today's >> ICANN and its capacity-building needs. In this regard, the ICANN staff have >> identified areas of improvement, mainly to the language used to describe >> Applicant Selection Criteria and the application assessment process. In >> doing so, ICANN staff is looking to ensure that the Fellowship selection >> process remains accountable, transparent, and independent while continuing >> to strengthen the ICANN Multistakeholder Model. >> >> *Link:* >> >> >> https://www.icann.org/public-comments/fellowship-application-process-review-2016-06-14-en >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Fellowships-alumni mailing list >> [log in to unmask] >> https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/fellowships-alumni >> >> > > Ayden Férdeline > Statement of Interest > <https://community.icann.org/display/gnsosoi/Ayden+Férdeline+SOI> >