As you may be aware, the purpose of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) is to advise the U.N. Secretary General on the programme and schedule of the annual Internet Governance Forum. The MAG comprises of 55 members from government, the private sector, and civil society, and currently includes NCSG members Avri Doria, Renata Aquino Ribeiro, and Ephraim Percy Kenyanito, among others (apologies if I have missed any names). Those nominated are expected to attend two virtual MAG meetings per month as well as three face-to-face meetings per year.
I would like the NCSG to consider
nominating one of our members, Michael
Oghia, to serve on the MAG for 2017. I see Michael
as a bridge between stakeholder groups and regions, as he represents:
- Developed nations (having been born and raised in the
United States);
- MENA region (he is Lebanese, works with iGmena, and does
considerable work in the region);
- Europe (he currently lives in Serbia);
- Youth (he is 28); and
- Civil society.
He is already heavily involved in IGF
processes, such as the IXP and IPv6 Best Practice Forums,
spearheading work with Dynamic Coalitions (DC), such as the DC on Core Internet
Values and the DC on the Internet and Climate Change, and has been involved in
national and regional IGF initiatives, such as the Southeastern European
Dialogue on Internet Governance (SEEDIG) and the European Dialogue on Internet Governance
(EuroDIG).
He has also been an Internet Society Ambassador to
the IGF twice, is an active member of the Youth Coalition on Internet
Governance where he advocates for more youth involvement in the field, was a
fellow at EuroDIG and its youth pre-event, and he has been an NCUC and NCSG
member for the past 12 months where he has been instrumental in developing the
charter for the Middle East and Adjoining Countries
Special Working Group.
Finally, I know Michael and he has the positive
energy and collaborative spirit that the MAG needs to get work done. He has a quick mind, the
ability to draw connections others don't see, and the ability to draw out the
talents of others. He is always listening and motivating others with
intelligent, constructive feedback. I can't imagine anyone I'd want to work
with more in the Internet governance space.
MAG nominations close
on 16 December - I appreciate this nomination has come through very last minute, but I hope we might consider lending our support to one of our members.