ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018

Support to Internet Society chapter members engagement in upcoming Plenipotentiary 2018
(ISOC PP-18 Fellowships)
Applications are now closed.

The Internet Society invites expressions of interest from chapter members for fellowships to the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference on 29 October to 16 November 2018 in Dubai, UAE.

ISOC Objectives at PP-18

As a Sector Member of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization (ITU-T) and ITU Telecommunication Development (ITU-D) Sectors the Internet Society will participate at the Plenipotentiary as an observer.  As an observer, ISOC’s team will work with partners, colleagues, and stakeholders to promote our perspective on a range of substantive policy, technical, and development related issues. We will provide neutral technical advice and provide perspectives, based on our core values and our years of experience. From the Internet of Things to secure-routing, from bottom-up Internet governance issues we will strive to provide trusted, neutral, expert advice, while growing our community of interest. 

About the Fellowship

The fellowship provides travel support to cover costs of the meeting in Dubai. It includes roundtrip economy class airline ticket, hotel for 20 days, visa expenses (if needed) and per diem for meals and ground transportation.

Internet Society Chapters are local communities that share an interest and belief in our principles and mission and who are committed to furthering our goals and objectives within your geographic or special interest area. Therefore, chapter members are a powerful voice locally to inform their national delegations about the importance of an open, reliable and secure Internet, as well as to providing voices during Plenipotentiary to advance Internet Society positions in the several parallel sessions. In this spirit, the Internet Society would like to extend the opportunity to three (3) members by supporting their attendance at Plenipotentiary 2018.

We strongly encourage members with prior participation in an ITU Conference or Assembly to apply. However, you must not have received an ISOC fellowship to an ITU event in the past. ISOC is a global community and is committed to gender and regional diversity in its fellowship.

Selection process

Any chapter member interested to apply should review and fully understand the criteria and responsibilities outlined below. The selection process will take place as follows:

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest by 17 June 2018 outlining:

  • How their experience and expertise will contribute to the Internet Society efforts at Plenipotentiary 2018. This could include active chapter events on topics/issues relevant to Plenipotentiary, publications, articles or previous participation on relevant national delegations (e.g. WTSA, WCIT, ITRs, Plenipots);
  • How they fulfill the criteria set out below; and
  • Provide a referee, e.g. another Internet Society chapter or member.
  • A selection committee will review the applications based on the criteria below;

Selected chapter members will be announced on or by 29 June 2018. Please email applications to <[email protected]>. 

Criteria for Selection

Selected Chapter members will play a critical role in efforts to promote Internet Society principles and positions at Plenipotentiary 2018. Selected individuals will be expected to be part of the preparations for Plenipotentiary 2018 and participate fully in the work on the ground in Dubai, UAE.

Commitment – Selection as an Internet Society representative entails commitment by the individuals to attend sessions, prepare assignments and assist in the overall accomplishment of objectives for the meeting.

Advocacy – for Internet Society agreed principles, mission and specific positions for each event so that anyone representing the Internet Society will be speaking and responding with the same context.

Preparation – delegates are responsible for delegation preparation, planning and specific assignments to develop Internet Society positions for the conference.

Empowerment – regional diversity is important. Delegates from developing countries or emerging economies will be preferred;

Expertise– clear and demonstrable awareness of ITU Conferences (such as WTSA, WTDC, Plenipotentiary, WCIT).

Communication skills – working language is English and the candidate must have full professional proficiency in English.

Selection Committee

The role of the Selection Committee is to:

  • Appoint a Chair and establish timeline for completion of work
  • Establish Weighting for each criteria and scoring method
  • Review nominations and qualifications criteria
  • Third Party Notification and Acknowledgement
  • Establish short list and verify qualifications

Selection Committee Members 

  • Mark Buell, ISOC Staff (North America Bureau)
  • Avri Dori, ISOC New York Chapter
  • Verengai Mabika, ISOC Staff (Africa Bureau)
  • Yrjö Länsipuro, ISOC Finnish Chapter
Responsibilities of appointees

Serving on the Internet Society delegation is an important undertaking and will require significant commitment and effort by the representatives. Below you can find a non-exhaustive list of expected activities that will be required from selected candidates: 

  • Active participation in Internet Society preparatory meetings both prior to and during Plenipotentiary 2018;
  • Regular communication and updates to the Internet Society delegation regarding national/regional developments ahead of and at Plenipotentiary 2018;
  • Full report highlighting the progress made and impact of the meeting results in your country/region;
  • Must adhere to and promote Internet Society principles and strategic objectives;
  • Cooperation with Internet Society staff and other Internet Society Chapter representatives to promote engagement and advocacy efforts on the ground; and
  • Must commit to being at the conference on 29 October 2018.
Timeline
  • Call opens for applications: 14 May 2018
  • Call closes for applications: 17 June 2018
  • Selection announcement: 29 June 2018*

For further information, please contact, Elizabeth Oluoch: [email protected]


*Announcement could be earlier depending upon early conclusion of the Selection Committee work. 

Date and Time

Monday 29 October 2018 –

Friday 16 November 2018

Location

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Related articles

See all articles
Plenipot 2018 – What’s Up for the Internet?
Fellowships to ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 Thumbnail
Internet Governance 29 October 2018

Plenipot 2018 – What’s Up for the Internet?

Two weeks ago, the Editorial Board of the New York Times published a piece predicting that the Internet is heading...

Splintering the Internet: The Unintended Consequence of Regulation
Fellowships to ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 Thumbnail
Public Policy 18 October 2018

Splintering the Internet: The Unintended Consequence of Regulation

In early 2000, two Paris-based, anti-racism groups sued Yahoo on the basis that its auction’s site was exposing French people...

We Need to Talk… about the State of Internet Governance
Fellowships to ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 Thumbnail
Internet Governance 12 October 2018

We Need to Talk… about the State of Internet Governance

In about a month, some of the key stakeholders in Internet Governance will come together in Paris and talk about...

Related resources

See all resources
Internet Society Background Paper on ITU Plenipotentiary 2018
Internet Governance 3 May 2018

Internet Society Background Paper on ITU Plenipotentiary 2018

This background paper provides a general overview of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and our perspectives on some of the main issues which may be discussed.

A policy framework for enabling Internet access
Growing the Internet 14 September 2016

A policy framework for enabling Internet access

This policy framework provides recommendations policymakers can use to flexibly create their own Internet-enabling environment.

The Internet and Extra-Territorial Effects of Laws
Public Policy 18 October 2018

The Internet and Extra-Territorial Effects of Laws

How to avoid rule-setting and decision-making that will constrain the Internet around the world The Internet is global, so regulations...