ICANN At Large Nomination Application

At Large Candidate Page

Sondlo Mhlaba

Email	Sondlo@aol.com
Region	North America

PROFESSIONAL
Employer(s)
Associate Professor, Applied Mathematics and Sciences, & Director, Academic Resource and Writing Centers, Wentworth Institute of Technology, 550 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
QUALIFICATIONS
Statement addressing the candidates qualifications and experience specifically relevant to (a) ICANN's technical and administrative responsibilities, and (b) your leadership and policy-level roles.
I am entering my name for candidacy because I believe that I can contribute in two key areas: 1) by providing an internationalist, policy-oriented, and end-user focused counterweight to the business-science-technology orientation of current and prospective members of the ICANN board, and 2) by helping to find commonground between members of the internet community from developed countries who tend to place a premium on free speech and privacy rights, and those from developing nations who tend to see a greater role for the internet in community-building and economic development. Although ICANN's mission is primarily technical, I believe that its technical initiatives can rarely be value-free. Thus, to the extent that these initiatives reflect values, America must take advantage of its leadership role in this field, to help ensure a globalist and future-oriented vision of the internet. Only in this way will American views remain relevant to the majority of humanity that is barely networked. I earned a PhD in Law, Policy and Society from Northeastern University, Boston. While I continue to teach applied mathematics and physics at Wentworth Institute of Technology, my interests have expanded to the areas of internet policy and law as well as to outcome comparisons between internet-based, and traditional education/training. I have written published papers on international regulation of the internet and on appropriate use policies for the internet in schools and homes. I recently served on ICANN's Membership Implementation Task Force (MITF).
ICANN RELATED INTERESTS
ICANN-related interests, including: (a) Employment and consulting relationships (b) Ownership or investment interests in any ICANN-related businesses (c) Official positions in any ICANN-related businesses or organizations
I have no ICANN-related interests. But I own several domain names and am the founder and head of The New Franchise Institute at http://www.NewFranchise.Orgwhich proposes and promotes more democratic governance for the UN and other international institutions.
BACKGROUND
Background information, personal statement, URL, or other information you would like posted in connection with your name on the ICANN website.
More detailed information about me can be found under Dr. Mhlaba's Profile on the web cite of The New Franchise Institute which I head. OFFICIAL STATUS
Status as an official of a national government or a multinational entity established by treaty or other agreement between national governments, such as an elected official or employee of a government or multinational entity.
No I am not.