Dear IETF, I'm happy that Meetecho is gradually improving our remote participation experience. However, as a matter of fact, that is still not quite the same thing as in person participation. Question: Consider a WG which is really in need of a face to face meeting. A very important participant, such as the editor of the main WG document, however, would only participate remotely, because he is an independent consultant and lacks specific funds. Can the WG --in such case-- set up some arrangements, e.g. take a collection up from the other participants, or anything to a similar effect? Are there provisions or limitations? IMHO, participation of individuals and small businesses is not less important than that of newcomers from emerging and developing economies. TIA for any hint. Ale -------- Original Message -------- From: Steve Conte <conte@xxxxxxxx> Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:34:02 -0700 To: Alessandro Vesely <vesely@xxxxxxx> Cc: Leaders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Public Software Mailing List <pubsoft@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: The Internet Society Fellowship to the IETF Dear Mr. Vesely, Thank you for your email regarding the ISOC Fellowship to the IETF Programme. This specific programme is designed to increase IETF participation from emerging and developing economies. The IETF has tools in which to participate remotely. We encourage those who are not able to physically attend an IETF meeting to utilize those tools so as to remain active in their participation. Sincerely, Steve Conte On Sep 5, 2012, at 4:38 AM, Alessandro Vesely <vesely@xxxxxxx> wrote: > Dear ISOC, > one of the points for qualifying for the programme is: > > Originate from and reside in a emerging or developing economy, > which traditionally have low rates of participation in the IETF. > http://www.internetsociety.org/node/9476 > > I understand the intent and the limits of the programme, but I also > notice that the IETF "works for those who pay its members."[1] That > fact may imply unwanted consequences, as far as free development (free > as in "free speech") of open standards is concerned. Do you address > such topic on the ISOC web site? > > For example, I know the case of a guy who is the editor of a standard > specification within a IETF working group, but doesn't participate to > IETF meetings because he has no funds for that. He is an US citizen, > hence does not qualify for the programme because of the point quoted > above. Indeed, that situation is quite frequent for small companies > and individuals. Wouldn't it be possible to widen the participation, > for the sake of a democratic development of the Internet? > > Thanks for your attention > Sincerely > AV > > [1] JFC Morfin - Mon Sep 3 16:20:27 PDT 2012 > [PubSoft] OpenStand and "modern" paradigms > https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/private/pubsoft/2012-September/002307.html