About Us

The IGFSA
About Us

About the IGF Support Association (IGFSA)

 

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) brings people together from all stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on issues relating to the Internet. The IGF is inclusive and anyone can participate

The Internet Governance Forum Support Association (IGFSA) is set up to support the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The goal of the IGFSA is to provide stable and sustainable support for the IGF Secretariat and to fund related activities. The IGFSA was launched on September 1, 2014 at the ninth IGF meeting in Istanbul, Turkey.

What Drives Us

Our Mission

The purpose of IGFSA is to promote and support the global IGF as well as the national and regional IGF initiatives. It shall notably, support the general objectives of the IGF.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

IGFSA Executive Committee

The IGFSA Executive Committee is comprised of at least five and no more than nine members, elected by the General Assembly. Among its tasks are the preparation of the annual budget for approval by the General Assembly, developing communications materials and fundraising strategies; establishing principles for allocating funds raised on behalf of the IGFSA. The Executive Committee is supported by a Secretariat with responsibility for day to day activities and carrying out the Association’s operational tasks such as preparing for meetings and other regular office requirements.

IGFSA Executive Committee - Fiona Asonga

Fiona Asonga

TESPOK | BIO

IGFSA Executive Committee - Amrita Choudhury

Amrita Choudhury

IGFSA Chair | CCAOI
BIO

IGFSA Executive Committee - Joyce Chen

Joyce Chen

APNIC | BIO
IGFSA Executive Committee - Wisdom Donkor

Wisdom Donkor

AODIRF | BIO

IGFSA Executive Committee - Enriette Esterhuysen

Anriette Esterhuysen

IGFSA Executive Committee - Amado Espinosa

Amado ESPINOSA

Nigel Hickson

IGFSA Executive Committee - Christopher Mondini

Christopher Mondini

ICANN | BIO

IGFSA Executive Committee - Flávio R. Wagner

Flávio R. WAGNER

MARKUS KUMMER

MARKUS KUMMER

Chair Emeritus

Previous Executive Committee Members

Virat BAHTIA
Manu BHARDWAJ
Marilyn CADE
Subi CHATURVEDI
Edmon CHUNG
Brian CUTE
Avri DORIA
Raùl ECHEBERRIA
Makane FAYE
Tarek KAMEL
Markus KUMMER
Karen McCABE
Cheryl MILLER
Jimson OLUFUYE
Nilmini RUBIN
Eduardo SANTOYO

Remembering Our Friends

IGFSA Executive Committee - Makane Faye

MAKANE FAYE, 1954 – 2021

The IGFSA Executive Committee is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our colleague and friend Makane Faye. He was tragically killed in a car accident on 26 March. Makane was a pillar of the African Internet community and was held in high esteem in the global NRI network.

He served as Secretary of the African IGF which he had helped create. With his wisdom and his long experience in information technology and Internet governance, Makane was a mentor for many younger members of the community who sought his guidance and counsel. The Executive Committee valued his knowledge, good judgment and and above all his friendship. He will be sorely missed.

IGFSA members are encouraged to submit messages of remembrance to honour Makane in a book of condolences opened by his friends.

Former IGFSA Executive Committee - Marilyn Cade

MARILYN CADE, 1947 – 2020

IGFSA is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Marilyn Cade. She was a tireless champion and promoter of the IGF, the NRIs and the multistakeholder model and therefore also of IGFSA. Quite naturally, she was elected member of the Executive Committee at the IGFSA inaugural meeting in Istanbul on 2014 and throughout her tenure she maintained her dedication and continued to recruit new members and garner support for the Association. Her strong commitment to the NRIs translated into the trust and high esteem she was held in by the NRI network.

The Executive Committee and all IGFSA members valued her friendship, her energy and enthusiasm. Marilyn will be sorely missed.

IGFSA members are encouraged to to submit messages of remembrance on the IGF website.

Former IGFSA Executive Committee - Marilyn Cade

TAREK KAMEL, 1962 – 2019

The IGFSA Executive Committee is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Tarek Kamel.

Tarek was one of the founding members of IGFSA and elected to the Executive Committee s at the IGF in Istanbul in 2014. He was greatly respected for the role he played in the global Internet ecosystem and as an Internet pioneer in Africa. When he was ICT Minister of Egypt he hosted the first IGF annual meeting in Africa in 2009. After joining ICANN he continued to be a champion of the IGF, also through IGFSA. The Executive Committee valued his friendship, his wisdom and counsel and not least his great sense of humour. He will be sorely missed.

IGFSA members are encouraged to sign the book of condolences on the ICANN website.

Former IGFSA Executive Committee - Marilyn Cade

MANU BHARDWAJ, 1978 – 2018

The IGFSA Executive Committee is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Manu Bhardwaj.

Manu was an elected member of the Executive Committee at the 2017 IGFSA General Assembly. He cared deeply about equality, dignity and justice for all and believed in the promises the Internet holds for solving issues of inequality and exclusion. We will miss his energy and optimism.

* Makane FAYE photo courtesy AfriSIG (via Creative Commons 4.0)

THE IGFSA

SECRETARIAT

 

The IGFSA’s daily operations are run by the Secretariat. If you have any questions or want to reach out please e-mail us at [email protected].

The secretariat is supported in large part by, Ms. Jennifer Chung, DotAsia serving as Secretary and supported by Mr. Kelvin Truong, DotAsia. The IGFSA would also like to thank the Internet Society for providing further support.