Hi everyone,

For those that don't know me, I am a member of the Middle East and Adjoining Countries Special Working Group (MEAC-SWG), and I want to provide some context.

The two main staff members engaged in this process are Baher Esmat and Fahd Batayneh. Both are incredibly dedicated to our region (Middle East and Adjoining Countries) and work very hard with us (the MEAC-SWG). The working group is also quite small, and most of us working in it know each other. It's a very collegial, inclusive, and professional environment, and it includes respected professionals such as Walid Al-Saqaf, Manal Ismail, and Farzaneh.

To be clear -- at least from my perspective and not speaking about other staff members -- neither Fahd nor Baher have ever done or said anything to exclude non-commercial users. Fahd is the ICANN staff member that is tasked with preparing the document, but all of the text (excluding what was included in the 2016-2020 ICANN strategy document) was written by the individual members of the MEAC-SWG and (copy) edited by me. The exclusion of non-commercial users was not intentional but an oversight that Farzaneh noticed and addressed. I strongly supported her suggestion (such as this document), and will also advocate for it.

Also, the document is not perfect, but that's why comment periods exist. If anyone does not like how it is currently written, feel free to suggest edits.

Best,
-Michael
__________________

Michael J. Oghia
iGmena communications manager
2016 ISOC IGF returning ambassador
Independent #netgov consultant & editor

Belgrade, Serbia
Skype: mikeoghia

On Sun, Nov 13, 2016 at 11:26 AM, Kathy Kleiman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi Farzi and All,

I support submitting Farzi's documentary as a comment in this matter. Farzi's concern about ICANN staff leaving out specific consideration of Noncommercial Registrants and Noncommercial Users is a huge one for us.

There is an ICANN tradition of submitting comments late when the deadlines fall during a meeting, or just after. So I support the submission of these comments as soon as they are approved.

Best, Kathy

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Public comment for "Middle East and Adjoining Countries 2016-2019 Strategy"
Local Time: 10 November 2016 1:16 PM
UTC Time: 10 November 2016 13:16

Thank you for raising this Farzaneh and taking the lead on it. I support the points as is and don't have anything else to add.

Best,
-Michael


On Thu, Nov 10, 2016 at 2:10 PM, farzaneh badii <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi everyone,

Today is the last day to comment on the public comment on MEAC strategy:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eFUFkftBUwUjCAQVjcMMyG-R2vFZYHjnIC9d3uxoCwE/edit?usp=sharing


I have not received any response from NCSG members about whether they would accept the comments drafted in google doc.

Wanted to submit this as NCSG public comment but if members do not act on this, then perhaps I can leave it to NCSG policy committee for approval. 

On 8 November 2016 at 23:29, Hamza Ben Mehrez <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Thank you Farzaneh for your constant reminder! 








Hamza Ben Mehrez 
Policy Analyst Lead 
Internet Governance MENA Region Program 
T + 216 21 415 833 | I www.igmena.org 


On Tue, Nov 8, 2016 at 11:27 PM, farzaneh badii <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hello,

Just a reminder to comment on the Middle East Strategy public comment until Thursday. If you accept the document as is would be grateful if you could express your support.

Best 

Farzaneh

On 5 November 2016 at 10:10, farzaneh badii <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi everyone,

There is a public comment request by the MEAC group on "Middle East and Adjoining Countries 2016-2019 Strategy" 




Here is the page for the public comment announcement: https://www.icann.org/public-comments/meac-strategy-2016-10-27-en



Please comment by 10th November, the deadline for submission is 17 Nov, it would be good to give PC some time for submission.

Thanks 

--
Farzaneh





--
Farzaneh






--
Farzaneh