[ICANN]<http://www.icann.org/> News Alert https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2016-09-19-en ________________________________ Inauguration of the Centro de Emprendimiento e Internet in Paraguay Center Calls for Applicants for the First Training Course 19 September 2016 The Centro de Emprendimiento e Internet is an open initiative from Paraguay's National Secretariat for Information and Communication Technologies (SENATICs<https://www.senatics.gov.py/>), the Latin American and Caribbean Country Code Top-Level Domain Association (LACTLD<https://www.lactld.org/>) and ICANN<https://www.icann.org/>. The goal in establishing the Center is to contribute to the evolution of the Internet ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean region. The Center will serve as a knowledge repository and networking point for acquiring and sharing expertise, resources, training and support for the implementation of initiatives and projects in digital environments. Initially, the Center's focus will be on regional capacity building on the topic of the Domain Name System (DNS) industry ecosystem. The training and education will provide opportunities to team up with relevant partners to share experiences, build a network of experts and find new avenues to advance and strengthen the sector. The idea for the Center came from discussions between SENATICs and ICANN. These discussions resulted in an agreement to support the development of the Internet DNS industry in Paraguay and in the region. LACTLD joined the efforts to create synergies among the regional country code operators. The Center is now open and is seeking a wide range of partnerships from the industry. Regional stakeholders from the Internet governance community formed an Advisory Committee to guide the implementation and strategies of the Center. The committee is composed of Andres Piazza (General Manager of LACTLD), Antony Harris (Executive Director of CABASE), Ernesto Bojorquez (Commercial Director of NIC.mx), Gabriela Szlak and Celia Leman Friedman (eInstituto), Gonzalo Navarro (CEO at ALAI), Leon Sanchez (Partner at Fulton & Fulton SC), Mark King (Caribbean Region, Barbados), Rubens Kuhl (Manager NIC.br) and Vanda Scartezini (Polo Consultores Associados). The Center's inauguration event will be on 12 October 2016 in Asunción, Paraguay. This celebration will coincide with the first day of the Center's first training course. The Center seeks community participation: * Call for applicants for the first training course. The Center asks candidates from the region to apply for the Center's first course. The course, to be held on 12-14 October, will cover the business, marketing and legal aspects of the DNS industry. The Center will grant travel support for the 10 candidates who best demonstrate an interest in developing the domain name industry in the region, sharing what they learn in their local communities, developing business models and contributing for the further development of the Center. Learn more and apply<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-3-2016-09-19-en>. * Call for partnerships. The Center invites contributions from interested partners (regional organizations, private sector companies, individuals) to contribute to the consolidation of the Center, including replicating activities in other countries. If you are interested, email daniel.fink@icann.org<mailto:daniel.fink@icann.org>.