[Interview] Lillian Sharpley, AfriNIC

The second annual West Africa IGF starts today and Diplo had an interview with Lillian Sharpley, from AfriNIC!

DIPLO IGCBP: Lillian, can you tell us more about Adiel Akplogan?

LILLIAN: Adiel A. Akplogan is the Chief Executive Officer of AfriNIC and currently serves as the Chairman of the NRO Executive Council (Number Resource Organization – www.nro.net). Withmore than 15 years experience in the Internet Technology environment, he has worked as New Technology Director at CAFENet (an IT service company based in Togo –1994-2000), then as IT Director of Symbol Technologies in France (2001-2003). He has been a member of the UN Secretary General Internet Governance Forum Advisors Group from 2006 to 2009 and the OIF (Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie) group of Experts on Internet Governance since 1999. He served in the African Technical Advisory Committee of the United Nation Economic Commission for Africa (ATAC/UNECA) from 2005-2006.

He is an Electrical Engineer and holds a M.Sc. in E-Business and New Technology Management.

DIPLO IGCBP: And what is AfriNIC?

LILLIAN: The African Network Information Centre (Headquarter in Cyber City, Mauritius)
AfriNIC, the Internet Number Registry for Africa, is one of the five Regional Internet Registries world-wide which form the Number Resource Organization (NRO). AfriNIC operates as a non-governmental and not-for-profit member-based organization. Since its inception, in 2005, AfriNIC ensures a fair distribution and management of IP addresses and related resources.

VISION
Spearheading Internet technology and policy development in the African region.

MISSION
To serve the African community by providing professional and efficient management of Internet number resources, supporting Internet technology usage and development, and promoting Internet self-governance.

DIPLO IGCBP: Over the next days we will have the second annual West Africa IGF. What can you tell us about the inaugural meeting last year?

LILLIAN: The 1st W. African Internet Governance workshop held in Dakar, Oct 2008, was organized by AfriNIC and ARTP, with the objective of improving the communications and cooperation with the National Regulatory Authorities in W. Africa. It proved to be successful event with about 40 persons in attendance and the request
to have subsequent events, hence the 2nd WAIGF which will begin today.

DIPLO IGCBP: What are the expectations for the meeting this year?

LILLIAN: Benefits/Anticipated Outcomes

We believe that the concepts of Internet Governance as established by the UN World Summit through the WSIS process are sound and global concepts, and are therefore being used as a reference for the creation of the WAIGF. However, it is important to note that continuation of the WAIGF is not dependent on the future of IGF. It is hoped that the following benefits and outcomes are achieved after this event:

O That relationships are established, promoted and strengthened;
O That a more global platform will be established to consolidate key issues and concerns affecting development of the Internet throughout Africa;

An output that we hope to achieve from the WAIGF event is a document based on a multi-stakeholder framework by which we can exchange ideas, information, resources, knowledge; work more effectively together. Not only
to participate effectively at IGF this year or the next. So the way forward, will include concrete steps for w Africa in terms of structure; organize at national levels on key issues, then coordinate and expand these discussion at regional levels, i.e. WAIGF.

DIPLO IGCBP: What are specific actions that readers can take right now to be more involved and participate on the meeting even though they might not be able to physically attend?

LILLIAN: To take part of this process, please join the waigf-discuss@waigf.org mailing list, visit our website for additional information and to learn about related events, www.afrinic.net
get involved in policy discussions, and attend the IGF2009 event in Sharm El Sheikh or follow the workshops online where if possible. Other key mailing list:

Internet community in Africa and more precisely for those involved or willing to be involved in the ICANN processes. AfrICANN africann@afrinic.net
AfriNIC Announce announce@afrinic.net
Resource Policy Discussion List rpd@afrinic.net