Canadians Connected, CIRA’s premier event series for fans of the internet, is going virtual!
Over the next two years, several global dialogues about the future of internet governance are set to take place. The outcomes of these processes could see the United Nations playing a more hands-on role in the governance of the internet.
Join us on Wednesday, April 17 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET for a conversation and Q&A with leading internet policy thinkers.
As governments work to renegotiate what internet governance will look like in 2024 and beyond, our panel of internet governance experts will show attendees what’s at stake for our collective digital future.
This event is open to all, whether you’re an internet policy aficionado, a CIRA member, or just looking to learn more about global internet governance. Register now to attend—it’s free, but we need you to RSVP!
This event is in English only.
The details:
- What: A virtual panel and Q&A with global internet governance experts to learn more about what the future of the internet looks like.
- Who: hear from industry experts including Fiona Alexander, Distinguished Policy Strategist in Residence at the American University, Konstantinos Komaitis, Resident Senior Fellow for Global and Democratic Governance, DFRLab at the Atlantic Council, Carol Roach, Chair of the UN Internet Government Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Group and our own Byron Holland, President & CEO, CIRA. Moderating us through this journey into the future is award-winning journalist, Takara Small.
- When: Wednesday, April 17, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET
- Where: virtual (you’ll receive a link one day before the event)
- Cost: to ensure that everyone interested can attend the event, we have made it free of charge.
Our panel
Fiona Alexander
Fiona M. Alexander is Distinguished Policy Strategist in Residence in the School of International Service at American University and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow with the Digital Innovation Initiative at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). She is also co-founder of Salt Point Strategies, a consulting group providing public affairs advice, strategy and advocacy to clients navigating the emerging high-tech economy. Previously, Fiona served at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for 20 years where she was the principal official responsible for international internet, cyber and communications policy across the United States government.
Konstantinos Komaitis
Konstantinos Komaitis is a Resident Senior Fellow for Global Governance and Democracy at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensics Research Lab. He spent ten years in active policy development and strategy as a senior director at the Internet Society, where he led a series of projects, including the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority transition. Before joining the Internet Society, he spent seven years as a senior lecturer at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow where he was researching and teaching internet policy, with particular focus on internet governance, intellectual property, trade, and cybersecurity.
He has worked for the New York Times and provided strategic advice to a variety of companies, governments and international organizations on internet governance and public-policy issues. He sits on the board of IP Justice, a San Francisco-based nongovernmental organization, and he also co-hosts the Internet of Humans podcast.
Carol Roach
Over the last 30+ years, Carol has been a key player as an ICT strategist and programme lead, and e-government expert for the Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. She has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of services through strategy development and implementation, change management, process redesign, and procurement and implementation of solutions. She has extended her expertise on a regional level by actively working with Red GEALC (Network of e-Government Experts in Latin America and the Caribbean), Organization of American States (OAS), CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market), and Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).
Byron Holland | President and CEO, CIRA
President and CEO of CIRA, Byron Holland, represents CIRA internationally in its global policy work. Over the past decade, he has been at the decision-making table for key moments in the history of internet governance and has held numerous leadership positions within the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), including Chair of the Customer Standing Committee, and terms as Chair and Vice Chair of the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO). He currently sits on the Board of Directors for TORIX, Canada’s largest internet exchange point and is on the Board of Directors of the Council of European National Top-Level Domain Registries (CENTR).
Takara Small | Moderator
Takara Small is Canadian journalist and radio host. She is a radio columnist for CBC (Canada’s public broadcaster), radio contributor for BBC Radio and host at 680 News. Additionally, she was named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada for her contributions to media and recently named a Young Leaders of America Fellow.
