Internet Pioneer to Speak About Internet Growth in Africa

DURBAN, South Africa, — Dr. Nii Quaynor, often referred to as the “Father of the Internet in Africa,” will join ICANN CEO and President Fadi Chehadé (http://www.icann.org), Board Chair Dr. Stephen Crocker, and Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement for Africa Pierre Dandjinou at a news conference on Monday, 15 July – the first day of ICANN’s 47th public meeting in Durban, South Africa.

A recent inductee into the Internet Hall of Fame, Dr. Quaynor has spent two decades promoting the Internet’s growth across the African continent. He will answer questions about the expansion of the Internet in Africa and how increased online access is expanding business potential and information access across the region.

The news conference will also address ICANN’s role in Internet growth and its increased efforts to internationalize the organization.

In addition to taking questions on the global expansion of the Internet, the four will also answer questions on a variety of other ICANN related subjects, ranging from the new expansion of Domain Names to ICANN’s plans to increase its presence in Africa.

Journalists are also encouraged to attend the Welcome Ceremony and President’s Opening Session on Monday, 15 July at 0830.  Dr. Elham Ibrahim, the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy will be among the speakers.

Journalists who are unable to attend the Durban meeting are encouraged to remotely participate in the news conference via a live video web stream or an international toll-free telephone connection.

A recording of the news conference will be posted to the press page of the ICANN web site (http://www.icann.org/en/news/press) after the event.

A list of other newsworthy sessions during the ICANN meeting can be found here: http://www.icann.org/en/news/press/kits/durban47/events-schedule-10jul13-en.pdf.

Here are the details of the News Conference: 

WHAT: News Conference

WHO: Nii Quaynor (http://www.internethalloffame.org/inductees/nii-quaynor), Internet Hall of Fame Inductee, Fadi Chehadé (http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/chehade-en.htm), President and CEO and Dr. Stephen Crocker (http://www.icann.org/en/biog/crocker.htm), Chair of Board of Directors, Pierre Dandjinou (http://www.icann.org/en/about/staff/dandjinou.htm), Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement – Africa.

WHEN: Monday, 15 July 2013, 1630-1730. Durban, South Africa (1430-1530 UTC).

WHERE: Hall 3B – Durban International Convention Center (Durban ICC) (http://www.icc.co.za/Home.aspx), 90 M4 Durban, South Africa.

OFF-SITE ACCESS: Journalists from around the world can participate in the news conference via remote access.

•          A live video webcast may be accessed at http://icann.adobeconnect.com/dur47-press.

•          Telephone access may be obtained by dialling an international access number obtained from this listhttp://www.adigo.com/icann. The toll free access number in the U.S. is +1.800.550.6865. Once you have reached the conferencing center, dial 25594.

Here are the details of the Welcome Ceremony: 

WHAT: Welcome Ceremony and President’s Opening Session

WHO: Dr. Elham Ibrahim (http://ie.au.int/en/commissioner/biography), African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Fadi Chehadé (http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/chehade-en.htm), President and CEO and Dr. Stephen Crocker (http://www.icann.org/en/biog/crocker.htm), Chair of Board of Directors.

WHEN: Monday, 15 July 2013, 0830 – 1000  Durban (0630 – 0800 UTC).

WHERE: Hall 6 – Durban International Convention Center (Durban ICC) (http://www.icc.co.za/Home.aspx) 90 M4 Durban, South Africa.

OFF-SITE ACCESS: Journalists from around the world can participate in the news conference via remote access.

•          A live video webcast may be accessed at   http://icann.adobeconnect.com/dur47-hall6.

•          Telephone access may be obtained by dialling an international toll-free number obtained from this listhttp://www.adigo.com/icann. The toll free access number in the U.S. is +1.800.550.6865. Once you have reached the conferencing center, dial 25594.