Listers, FYI Internet Society Hosts Seminar for Policymakers on Internet Standards Framework Event held in conjunction with the XXI Meeting of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission highlighted importance of open Internet standards [San Salvador, El Salvador, 11 September 2012] — The Internet Society, in collaboration with the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission’s (CITEL) Permanent Consultative Committee I, hosted a seminar yesterday for more than 70 policymakers and industry representatives to discuss the Internet Standards Framework. The event was held in conjunction with the XXI Meeting of CITEL, an advisory body of the Organization of American States that focuses on promoting the development of telecommunications and ICT in the Americas. The seminar provided the opportunity to acquaint high-level policymakers and key regional stakeholders with the global Internet standards framework, the broad range of standards organizations, how standards contribute to global interoperability, and the importance of collaboration amongst standards bodies. Speakers at the seminar included Adrian Farrel, IETF; Steve Mills, IEEE; Jeff Jaffe, W3C; Simao Campos, ITU; and Sebastian Bellagamba, Internet Society. The afternoon panel presented perspectives from across the industry with speakers, including Wayne Zeuch, CITEL; Pablo Brenner, Globant; Andres Piazza, LACNIC; Patrick Ryan, Google; and Jose Ayala, Ericsson. "We appreciate the opportunity to participate in the Internet Standards Framework seminar and share the power of open standards with the Latin American community," said Steve Mills, IEEE Standards Association President. "Access to knowledge is vital to sustaining the social and economic growth of the region, and the open Internet is a critical component of the knowledge infrastructure. As an organization that fully supports the principles of OpenStand (open-stand.org), which convey the power of collaboration and cooperation and support innovation and interoperability, we are committed to delivering standards that are open and accessible trusting that voluntary adoption through an open market will contribute the best possible value to humanity." “We were extremely proud to work together with CITEL on this important event to engage with policymakers and industry leaders from across the Americas,” said Sebastian Bellagamba, Internet Society Regional Bureau Director, Latin America and the Caribbean. “The event was highly successful in providing a productive discussion and opening the doors for future collaboration.” -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/