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Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

Since 2000 Rudi Vansnick is president of the Belgian chapter of the Internet Society, an organisation focusing on the promotion of a stable, accessible and safe internet for everyone. He participates in national debates with federal and regional governments on topics such as cyber criminality and security issues related to Belgian citizens. In November 2004 he became more and more involved in Internet issues and debates all around the world - in Bangladesh, Tunis, Hannover. Later, he joined ISOC-ECC board (vice-chair) and was one of the signatories for the creation of EURALO (European Regional At Large Organisation – ALAC). Actually he serves in the board of EURALO and participates in several working groups, especially with focus on privacy and security of the Internet.

In 2005 he became the national expert for the World Summit Awards and one of the 38 Grand Jury members from all over the world in electing the 40 best e-Content projects worldwide. For 2008 he will accomplish this task again.

2006 saw him focusing on breaching the Digital Divide through projects in regional and European organisations. His goal: to capture the voices of the Internet user, individual as well as in an organisational environment, understanding the needs and burdens of each. He considers the most difficult hurdle to be the fact that while culture and technology are far away from each other, they should be mutually supportive. December 6^th 2006, Rudi participated in the FOSI International Conference in Washington focusing on the Rights and Protection of Children in the Web 2.0 World. An issue he was already involved in during the Round table in June 2006 in Brussels, in presence of Ms. Viviane Reding and several other important authorities. The technical evolution of the Internet keeps Rudi's attention on the initial mission of ISOC, safe access to the Internet while the openness is an increasing item of vulnerability, imposing new rules and policies, not only from government but also from the industry. A taks in which he wants to participate actively in the coming months.

In regards participation in ICANN, in particular in the ALAC structure, being an Euralo board member, I would enjoy bringing in my contact with internet users, (I'm chairing an ISOC Chapter and vice-chair ISOC European Chapters Coordinating Council) having specific needs in regards services to be delivered and rules to be applied to by ccTLD's. Aside this topic I have seen a lot of discussions popping up during the ongoing ICANN meetings in Cairo, putting ccTLD's and gTLD's in some "fights" and I'm willing to get the best out of these debates for the user.