LOS ANGELES - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced a fresh approach to its regional engagement in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, building on years of commitment to increasing its global presence and fostering local involvement, according to the official website of ICANN.
Several years ago, ICANN took an important step to strengthen its outreach by bringing key focus areas—such as policy discussions, capacity development, and other initiatives—directly to communities in various countries around the world.
As part of this strategy in the LAC region, the "LAC-i-Roadshow" was introduced, playing a crucial role in ICANN's efforts to internationalize its work. Now, after a period of successful implementation, ICANN is taking this engagement to the next level by transitioning from an event-based model to a more tailored, country-focused experience.
Under a new program, ICANN Near You: Local Action, Global Impact, ICANN's LAC engagement team, in collaboration with ICANN subject matter experts, will visit five countries in the region each year. These in-country visits will allow the ICANN team to spend several days in each location, addressing the specific needs of local communities, from advancing technical capacity development to enhancing participation in ICANN's multistakeholder model. Our team intends to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, the technical community, the private sector, academia, and civil society.
This shift in approach is a reflection of ICANN's ongoing commitment to engaging with local communities, and that this engagement aligns with the broader context of the global Internet ecosystem. ICANN Near You: Local Action, Global Impact will continue to provide a platform for important discussions about ICANN's role in shaping the future of the Internet, while focusing on local action and regional priorities.
Through this initiative, ICANN seeks to be more accessible, responsive, and in tune with the unique needs of the LAC region. This new approach underscores ICANN's dedication to fostering stronger, more meaningful connections with stakeholders throughout the region.