Apparently there have been so many issues in discussion regarding Internet Governance, Development, Human Rights and Innovations as a way of finding measures of making the Internet an assert for the future generations. However this applies to activities as diverse as the coordination of technical standards, the operation of critical infrastructure, development, regulation, legislation and many more that comprises varied methodologies within the Internet ecosystem scope.
It was through the #ICANN 50 fellowship meeting where all this issues were addressed and discussed with an in-depth vigour to try solve problems and recommend best solutions that could benefit industries and the various partners, stakeholders and the major concerned party (End-Users). The Internet Corporation Assigned Name and Number is committed to seek, create a broader and more regionally diverse base of knowledgeable constituents by reaching out to the less developed regions of the world to build capacity within the ICANN MultiStakeholder Model. It was through the Fellowship program that i was selected to participate in this years ICANN 50th meeting held in London as a Mozilla Representative from Southern African Region. First, i must appreciate ICANN for the amazing opportunity they offered me to have access to such a high delegate meeting. I must believe that it is because of the desire, passion and commitment in advocating for an Open Web that landed me this opportunity to participate at this event. My role in the Internet space drives me to contribute to the development processes in discussion recently as a fellow alumni.
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| ICANN 50 Fellows |
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| Fellows - Photo Group |
More than 2 years on issues of Internet Development there seize to be something really amazing and new for me in Mozilla. Actually there is always a new experience for me to remember, challenges and learning all this things together. In my experience as a Mozilla Rep one of the recurring things i have been trying to focus on has been Community Development through Open Source and sensitizing issues related to Internet Privacy which i believe brings in many aspects of the Internet ecosystem (net-mundal &Internet Security). No matter how many ways i decided to contribute but i decided to draw much of my focus on a few things..the urge and self drive to expand the mission of Mozilla within and around my local community and region and support current contributors whenever possible.
Back to the ICANN fellows meeting, well this was probably one of the best events i have ever attended as a Mozillian and as Rep or better still as an (Internet Enthusiast). Maybe i feel this way because i have really been yearning to attends such a high delegate meeting since my contribution to the Internet industry. As one of the worlds recognized event under the Internet Societies/ Internet Governing bodies, being part of it was just a dream come true, its of no doubt about that now.
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| British Pass-Uk Visa Info |
Well then at least i was lucky enough to find myself not needing a Visa to enter into UK (Smiling now, just reminiscing on how happy i was to believe how easier it sounded to find me having access to Britain without struggling for a Visa). I remember when i actually got depressed when some of my fellows got denied Visa so they could attend this meeting but i really learned a lot about traveling abroad ( Very strict Embasy policies and its not an easy one trust me) if you thinking of attending the 51 meeting in Los Angels get ready for the pinch again :) .
Journey Begins
My flight was scheduled on a Friday late morning from my country with my other flight connection at OR-Tambo Int Airport. Preparations for my first trip to Europe (England,London) were of great standard because of high expectations. This was one of the longer flights (11hrs 20min) to London Hethrow Int Airport with South African Airways (SAA). I landed in Heathrow the next morning after long hours of sitting on air. Right as i disembarked my flight i was lucky to be picked up by a family member so i didn't worry much about getting lost in such a huge airport to my hotel.
I spend most of my day one with relatives, walking around London and familiarizing myself with the meeting venues (quiet confusing) and the area around my hotel, that's after my checking at my room. After long walking hours and socializing, i went back to the hotel for dinner and to get a nap, getting ready for my first meeting the following morning at Hilton Hotel which was almost 10 min walk away from my hotel ( quiet a good walk in a fresh morning summer).
Fellowship Meetings and Sessions
Day two started quite early with breakfast at 6am and then we’d proceed to Hilton Hotel by 7am. This was definitely going to be quite a busy day as we were to go learn about the core business of being at ICANN (Welcome Fellowship Session) . So it all begun with introductions on what to expect from there henceforth. Keynotes from the main hosts and organizers followed. We also got to hear from the space wranglers and session hosts just as a buildup and for us to know where each and every session was going to be conducted.
All sessions were so amazing but having to decide on which one to attend as a newbie was a big challenge in fact the sessions were all tempting though multitasking was absolutely impossible, so the advice was take is slow and digest. My most favorite sessions were DNSSEC Workshop,Welcome Ceremony, Fellowship morning/evening meeting, NextGen@ICANN, ISP & connectivity, DNS Risk Assessments , Tech Day, Civil Society in ICANN & Internet Governance, Internet Government Session; the reason being that this is my area of expertise and what really engrossed
my attention during my welcome. Oh! :) did i mention the "Fellowship
sessions" where we got to learn more of the things we didn't understand all day or previously, all pending questions were addressed in more
depth. This was one of the interesting sessions yet very (Strict) it really taught
me principles of "Time management" and focus on what business you come for at ICANN.
Mozilla Space London
One of the goals of my trip to London was to get to see the Mozilla London space. I got
to the Office at around 11AM after some good long walk from
Buckingham Palace . I got a warm welcome from everyone at the office and it was good
to meet Zack who happened to be my host for the day, having lunch together and taking me through the various sections of the space.
The space is quite small, but it has an interesting story behind it. The
office has a small meeting area where they host events such as hack-thorns and meetings on Air Mozilla. I was suppose to meet with Sarah and William as my host unfortunately they happened to be out of office but Zack went fourth and took care of my presence. One of the key interesting issues we touched on was the state of the movement (Mozilla Botswana Community), its current developments and challenges. We talked more about various projects such as Firefox 0S which is still at an infant stage in my country and the most diverse project (Web-makers) and how it is developing in the country. I really enjoyed my entire day at the space and charting more on insightful issues affecting Southern Africa as far as Mozilla in concerned.
Finally Done & Getting Back Home
After a long week of learning, networking, sight seeing, my trip to London has come to an
end. I must say, I enjoyed every moment of it, yes even though I was
lost most of the time. Being in London helped me understand what its like
to be a tourist.Traveling around London wasn't that challenging I must say, London has one of the well organized transport systems in the world. I always had
my maps and a guide book everywhere I went, but even then,
i was able to navigate the complex subway system.
Did i tell you about the wired so called "Summer" in London, actually they have long days and short nights. I cant believe i missed my evening flight traveling back home due to this weather. :) :D.
"Once a Fellow always a Fellow...."
Bantu Tech Tour Camp
opens up for a long term collaboration with Southern African
Innovation-Hubs between the existing Mozilla Communities in the region ( Botswana,
Zimbabwe & SA) to help establish active and strong Mozilla Communities in
this countries through their respective hubs (Namibia & Zambia). 
