Charter for the AFRALO Capacity Building and Fellows Network
- Mission and Scope
The African Regional At-Large Organization (AFRALO) Capacity Building and Fellows Network seeks to enhance the knowledge, skills, and engagement of individuals and organizations within AFRALO, This network will support the empowerment of future leaders, advocates, and experts who will contribute to the evolution and governance of the Internet, particularly in Africa, within the framework of ICANN's mission and vision.
Fellows, NextGen and Newcomers will lead this initiative to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment, where they will lead initiatives that strengthen and develop the skills of the At-large community. This group will also allow the community to benefit from their fresh perspectives and valuable insights.
- Purpose
The purpose of this group is to give an opportunity to newcomers, NextGen and fellows to lead this group and actively contribute to the skills and capacity development of AFRALO and the wider At-large Community. The group aims to strengthen participants’ Knowledge, leadership skills and engagement activities through webinars, workshops, collaborative initiatives and activities.
The network is designed to achieve the following key objectives:
- Capacity Building: Deliver training, mentorship, and resources to build the technical and policy-related capacity of individuals and communities in Africa.
- Networking: Establish a collaborative network of individuals engaged in ICANN-related activities and Internet governance, specifically focused on Africa.
- Advocacy and Outreach: Promote awareness and encourage deeper participation in Internet governance processes, particularly ICANN-related activities, through outreach programs and collaborations.
- Strengthening AFRALO: Support the overall goals of AFRALO by enhancing its engagement with communities, ensuring broader and more inclusive regional involvement.
- Terms of Reference (ToR)
3.1 Structure and Governance
Leadership:
The leadership team will consist of AFRALO Newcomers, NextGen and Fellows from the past two years, with the timeframe beginning at the conclusion of the ICANN Annual General Meeting
Composition:
An Executive Committee (EC) comprised of 9 members as follows:
- A Chair
- Two Vice Chairs
- Six members
Membership:
Membership is open to all AFRALO members
Communications:
Electronic mailing lists
- Membership: The AFRALO Capacity Building and Fellows Network is open to all AFRALO members, especially past fellows who are involved or interested in Internet governance, policy development, or other ICANN-related activities. Members of the network must commit to the mission of the group, actively participate in activities and contribute to capacity-building initiatives.
- Leadership:The leadership team will consist of AFRALO Newcomers, NextGen and Fellows from the past two years, with the timeframe beginning at the conclusion of the ICANN Annual General Meeting. The leadership will be elected by its members, for a non-renewable two-year term consisting of nine individuals, including two co chairpersons, two vice-chairpersons and six members.
- Meetings: The AFRALO Capacity Building and Fellows Network will hold regular virtual meetings, once every two months, to review progress on initiatives, share updates, and discuss opportunities for future activities. Special meetings may also be held to address emerging needs or challenges.
3.2 Roles and Responsibilities
- Co-Chairpersons: The co-chairpersons shall oversee the overall operation of the network, facilitate meetings, and represent the network at AFRALO and ICANN events.
- Vice-Chairpersons (One per region): The vice-chairpersons will assist the chairperson in their duties and serve as acting chairperson in their absence. They will also be responsible for coordinating the activities of various subcommittees. (Program, Communications, Logistics, Evaluation & Feedback and Technical)
- Secretary: Two persons
- Members: These individuals will focus on specific program areas, including contributing to strategies, capacity-building initiatives, support, networking, and outreach.
3.3 Key Activities
The key activities of the AFRALO Capacity Building and Fellows Network include but are not limited to:
- Workshops and Webinars: Organize regular training, webinars, and workshops to develop knowledge on ICANN, DNS, Internet governance, and regional policy issues in live sessions or via the ICANN learn platform.
- Regional Outreach and Advocacy: Rely on the current AFRALO plan for activities on regional outreach and advocacy within the African continent to encourage active participation from underrepresented groups.
- Research and Documentation: Document key learnings and conduct surveys to assess regional capacity-building needs and the impact of the network's initiatives.
- Collaboration with other ICANN Stakeholders: Build and maintain relationships with ICANN’s other Supporting Organizations, Advisory Committees, and regional stakeholders to align and collaborate on relevant initiatives.
3.4 Expected Outcomes and Impact
- Increased Participation: Encourage and facilitate greater participation in ICANN's decision-making processes by individuals and organizations from Africa, particularly those from underserved or underrepresented communities.
- Empowered Leaders: Cultivate a new generation of leaders within the Africa region who are well-equipped to engage in Internet governance and contribute to policy development.
- Stronger AFRALO: Enhance the impact of AFRALO through the development of a more active and skilled community that supports the mission and goals of ICANN in the Africa region.
3.5 Reporting
- Annual Reports: The AFRALO Capacity Building and Fellows Network steering committee will provide an annual report on the progress and achievements of the network, including recommendations for improvements and future directions.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular evaluation of network activities will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of programs, identify gaps, and refine strategies to meet the group's objectives.
3.6 Resources and Funding
- Funding Sources: The AFRALO Capacity Building and Fellows Network will explore potential funding sources via AFRALO to support the network's activities if needed, including workshops, and other capacity-building efforts.
- In-kind Contributions: The network will also seek in-kind support such as volunteers, mentors, and experts who can contribute their time, knowledge, and experience.
Communications:
Electronic mailing lists