Let's first separate the issues.
One is participation, which is obviously open, and IMHO all folks who want to participate in full respect of the rules of behaviour (I am mentioning this only for those who are not on the ALAC public list, that is experiencing right now some disruptive behaviour) can join.
The other one is eligibility and voting rights. In this respect, ICANN has geographic regions, and ALAC is using these geographic regions in its internal rules. If I can make an example, ALAC appoints 5 NomCom members, one per region. Should Siranush volounteer for such position, it would be important to establish whether this would be done using the Euroean or the Asia-Pacific seat. Similar situation would apply for participants from mediterranean countries geographically (and according to ICANN rules) belonging to Africa.
Personally, I would like to see this issue solved before we do have a practical case in our hands, so that we can decide based on principles, and not with the potential bias of a specific case. Moreover, since this issue is of relevance for other components of the ICANN world, like for instance the ccTLDs, I would encourage coordination with them on a common solution.
Cheers,
Roberto

 

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From: Siranush Vardanyan  [mailto:siranush_vardanyan@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, 06 March  2008 07:23
To: Roberto Gaetano; 'Discussion for At-Large  Europe'
Subject: RE: thanks

 
Dear Roberto and Wolf,
 
Thanks for welcoming me in this  mailing list. I hope that sometimes the discussion points coming from another  developing country might also be helpful. You are right that Armenia  (being in the process of applying for EU membership) in many aspects  considered within European countries, but clarifications in this aspect might  be helpful and I welcome, Roberto, your suggestion to come to an agreement  within ALAC on this geographical issue.
 
According to different  sources Armenia is considered differently, for example according to The 2007  Time <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28magazine%29>  Almanac defines Armenia as one of 24  countries within Eastern Europe. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europe).  
 
Usually we say that Armenia is a Eurasia - both in Europe and  Asia:)
 
Thanks again
 
Siranush


> From:  roberto@icann.org
> To: euro-discuss@atlarge-lists.icann.org;  siranush_vardanyan@hotmail.com
> Subject:
> Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008  23:28:10 +0100
>
> May I join Wolf in welcoming Siranush. It is  really a joy to have people joining from Armenia.
> This reminds me,  though, that the issue of the redefinition of the geographic regions is still  up in the air. According to the ICANN definition, Armenia is in Asia-Pacific.  However, both the European ccTLD organization (CENTR) and the European RIR  (RIPE NCC) include Armenia within the geographical area they serve. There is  no reason why ALAC should not do the same, but it would be wise to come to an  agreement inside ALAC on how to deal with these geographical issues.
>  Cheers,
> Roberto
>
>
> > -----Original  Message-----
> > From:  euro-discuss-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org
> >  [mailto:euro-discuss-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org] On
> > Behalf  Of Wolf Ludwig
> > Sent: Monday, 03 March 2008 17:59
> > To:  Discussion for At-Large Europe; Siranush Vardanyan
> > Subject: Re:  [EURO-Discuss] Introduction
> >
> > Dear Siranush,
>  >
> > I am pleased to welcome you on the EURALO-list. And I  would
> > like to welcome some more fellows from the First  Summer
> > School on IG in Germany in 2007. We are looking forward  to
> > your comments and contributions on this list.
>  >
> > Kindest regards,
> > Wolf
> >
>  >
> > Siranush Vardanyan wrote Sat, 1 Mar 2008 13:21:
> >  >Dear EURALO mailing list members,
> > >
> > >Hope  that some of you know me personally, I am Siranush from
> > Armenia,  an alumni for the First Summer School on IG in
> > Germany in 2007  and 31st ICANN Fellow in New Delhi. I am
> > happy to become the part  of this group and also will try to
> > contribute from my side as  much as possible to the effective
> > discussions taking place  here.
> > >
> > >Congratulations everyone with the  Spring, more sun and smile
> > to all of
> > >you
>  > >
> > >Siranush
> > >
> >  >Armenia
> >  >_________________________________________________________________
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> > comunica-ch
> > phone +41 79 204 83 87
> >  www.comunica-ch.net
> >
> > http://blog.allmend.ch -
>  > Digitale Allmend
> >
> >  _______________________________________________
> > EURO-Discuss  mailing list
> > EURO-Discuss@atlarge-lists.icann.org
> >  http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/euro-discuss_a
>  tlarge-lists.icann.org
> >
> > Homepage for the region:  http://www.euralo.org


 

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