I support to add the new region, hoping in future Africa gets its chance. IMO, I thought about it from another point of view. After a long time of having IETF meetings mostly in one region (as history of North America region gaining most meetings), the result of that was that IETF participants are majority from North America, so I think it MAY be a result of meetings held in one region (some will argue it is because experts individual-participants/company-participants come from North America, while giving no value of IETF marketing), However, IETF claims it is for the WORLD as Internet is, not for only one region's Internet. So giving now chance for other regions (or diverse Internet communities) to gain meetings will help in the FUTURE more participants from other regions as it happend to North America. For IETF it already gained many from North america, and they don't increase so it SHOULD market elsewhere for future plans. My answers to your questions below, AB On 5/26/13, SM <sm@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > At 09:42 26-05-2013, Dave Crocker wrote: >>I like visiting South America. But IETF meetings do not have >>tourism as a goal. So yes, I'm sure those who go will "enjoy" the >>city; but again, that's not stated purpose of choosing venues. > > Over a year ago "the IAOC [was] pleased to announce the Return of the > Nerds to Paradise!" > >>If we are serious about wanting more participation from >>under-represented regions, then let's attack that issue seriously >>and substantively, rather than with an expensive marketing show. > > Yes. > > The meaning of "the elephant in the room" is "an important and > obvious topic, which everyone present is aware of, but which isn't > discussed, as such discussion is considered to be > uncomfortable". The elephant in the room is that there hasn't been > any discussion about what has been done to get more participation > from under-represented regions but nobody has mentioned that. > > (a) Was the IESG working on how to get more participation from > under-represented regions? I think they SHOULD have, and all of us should do the same, because IETF will expand and become stronger by increasing participants from ALL Internet community regions. The answers also based on IETF vesion. > > (b) Was the IAB working on how to get more participation from > under-represented regions? I think they SHOULD have, and all of us should do the same, because IETF will expand and become stronger by increasing participants from ALL Internet community regions. The answers also based on IETF vesion. > > I am asking the above questions as it is not clear who in the IETF > was doing that. I am working on it my self, so I hope others think the same, I have asked many students about the IETF, they don't know about it a thing, so should n't we ask question why the community of Internet users in South America not participating? One answer can be that the reason is that IETF participants majority from North America and they don't want to spend money on long journies that include many competing regions (e.g. few regions or few long distance per year maybe fine). > > Regards, > -sm > >