3rd AFRICAN SCHOOL ON INTERNET GOVERNANCE

Addis Ababa, 1 – 5 September 2015

The goal of AfriSIG is to give Africans from multiple sectors and stakeholder groups the opportunity to gain knowledge and confidence to enable them to participate effectively in internet governance processes and debates at national regional and global level. AfriSIG also builds the capacity of people with existing expertise in internet governance by including them as faculty and resource persons.

Building on the model of the European and Latin American Internet Governance Schools, APC and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, launched the first AfriSIG in July 2013 in Durban, South Africa. The second AfriSIG took place in November 2014 in Mauritius.

Goals and objectives
The overall goal of the AfriSIG is to provide opportunities for Africans from all stakeholder groups to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to both actively participate in internet governance debates and processes and to bring an African perspective to internet governance issues, both regionally and globally

Specific objectives are to:

  • Strengthen existing capacity of a diverse range of stakeholders, in the field of internet governance in Africa, across all sectors
  • Provide a safe and accommodating environment for new entrants to the field to increase their knowledge on internet governance
  • Bring together people from government, civil society, business and other stakeholder groups to interact and build common ground around a public-interest oriented approach to internet governance
  • Foster critical debate in a multi-stakeholder forum on IG issues from an African and Southern perspective
  • Provide opportunity to identify and develop African positions on current issues in Internet policy and governance
  • Give participants ‘hands-on’ experience in IG processes through a practicum that involves role playing in multistakeholder negotiations, and by co-locating the school with a significant IG event in which they can participate immediately after the school

We believe that the AfriSIG can increase the diversity, extent, quality and effectiveness of African participation in Internet Governance at national, regional and global levels. AfriSIG provides a safe space for multi-stakeholder learning and discussion. Policy spaces (physical and online) are intimidating for those who are new to the issues and even those who are not so new. The school also responds to the challenge of insufficient meaningful participation by African stakeholders in the Internet Governance sphere by building knowledge across stakeholder groups and Africa’s sub-regions, and fostering discussion on complex issues.

 

Logistics advisory

African School on Internet Governance (AFRISIG), AU ICT Ministers Meeting, African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) and Association for Progressive Communications (APC) African Members’ Meeting  

Venue: African Union Conference Centre Date: 1 September – 10 September 2015

International Travel
Everyone should have received their return ticket to and from Ethiopia by now. Please call or access your airline’s website by entering the airlines booking reference on your e-ticket to chhttp://african-ig-school.wpm.apc.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=1267&action=editange or book a seat and meal preference. We were not able to pre-book seats for you.  Your ticket was either issued by KEY Travel (www.keytravel.com), BCD Travel (www.bcdtravel.co.ke),  Travel Company (www.travelcompany.co.za/), Travel with Flair (www.twf.travel) or Magic Travel (www.magic-travel.co.za)  NOTE: Some airports require an airport tax fee in cash.  Please check with your departure airport if they charge airport tax fees.

For your travel you will need the following documents:
• A passport (should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Ethiopia and have sufficient space, at least 2 pages).
• A copy of your electronic ticket
• A  letter of invitation
• The visa letter provided by the AUC Protocal Office (for visa on arrival)
• The arrival information kit provided by the AUC Protocal Office
• This logistics advisory (which has all the contact details you need while travelling)
• A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
• medication for all your health needs
• AND $30-$50 in cash for your visa on arrival

Visa requirements
An entry visa for Ethiopia is a requirement for people travelling from all countries, except Kenya and Djibouti.   However, The African Union Commission in Ethiopia has kindly agreed to arrange for visas for everyone on arrival at Bole airport in Addis Ababa.  You will be required to pay between US$ 30 – US$50 for your visa on arrival. For more information visit: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/ethiopia/passport-visa

Yellow Fever Certificate
Please remember to bring your yellow fever vaccination certificate..  Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers who are arriving from, or have transited through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.  Please note that you need to get your vaccine 10 days before travel.  In accordance with International Health Regulations of the World Health Organisation, a person who is required to have a vaccine but arrives without a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate shall be quarantined upon arrival.   Information on countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission can be found here: http://www.nathnac.org/ds/c_pages/documents/WHOYFrisk2011.pdf and http://www.who.int/ith/ITH_country_list.pdf?ua=1

Travel Insurance
We recommend that all participants obtain travel insurance for their trip.  Kindly ensure that this insurance covers the date of departure from your country until the date of your return.

Boarding Pass:
The support staff will collect your boarding passes during the first tea break on day 1. Please ensure that you keep them safe during your travel.

Accommodation
Accommodation for the meetings will be provided at the following hotels:
1. Kings Hotel
Off Rooseveldt Street
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Phone : +251 11 371 1300 / +251 11 372 295
Contact : Jerry- Kings27au@gmail.com

2.  Hotel France
Flawrarf Damtew Street
Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Phone : +251 11 554 73 89
Contact: Dr. Tshaye- Hotelfranceaa@gmail.com

3. Dessie Hotel
Dej. Bekele Weva Street
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Phone : +251 11 557 6009 www.dessiehotel.com
Contact : Clawdy – Mobile +251 930099962, dessiehotel@yahoo.com

Meetings Venue
African Union Conference Centre (AUCC)
Roosvelt Street
Old Airport Area
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contact : Anna Abebe – Mobile +251 911220548

Airport Transfers in Ethiopia
Airport transfers will be provided on arrival and departure by Hotel Kings, Hotel France and Dessie Hotel.  Upon arrival a representative from your designated hotel holding a paging board that has your name OR the group name “NEPAD/APC GROUP”. Should you not meet up with the arranged airport transfer, you will be liable to pay your own airport transfer costs.

Meals and per diems
Breakfast will be provided by the hotels.  Lunch and tea/coffee will be provided during workshop days. During the course of the meetings, representatives of APC and NEPAD will be liaising with you regarding a per diem for dinner on days where there is no group dinner.

Personal expenses
International and local telephone calls, laundry, use of the mini bar and all other personal expenses such as additional drinks and meals MUST be paid by the individual who ordered them before you check out of the hotel. We will not cover these costs.

Dietary and Special Requirements
If you have not done so already, please inform us before you travel if you have any special dietary requirements – vegetarian, halal and food allergies; and of other health and special requirements that you might have.

Communication
Wireless connectivity is available at all the hotels and the meeting venue.  The hotels can also arrange for local mobile phone cards and airtime.  Please talk to them should you need one.

Climate

Ethiopia has rainy season between the middle of June and the end of September, but for the rest of the year Ethiopia has clear skies with temperatures never generally rising above the late twenties. April to September is the rainy season. For an indication of the temperatures during your stay please log in here: http://www.yr.no/place/Ethiopia/Addis_Ababa/Addis_Ababa/long.html

Electricity
Electrical current in Ethiopia is 220 Volts, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are used. Kindly bring your own adaptors.  Please note that, even in Addis, electricity supply may be irregular and blackouts are common.  This is what the Ethiopian plug and power outlet looks like: http://www.levoyageur.net/plug-country-Ethiopia.html

Language
Amharic is the official language, although about 80 other native tongues are spoken including Oromo, Somali and Tigrinya. English and Arabic are widely used.

Currency & Tipping
Ethiopian Birr. ($1=2.5 Birr).  US Dollar bills are the most convenient currency to exchange.  Credit cards are accepted on a very limited basis and only at very few outlets in Addis Ababa.  Make sure you have an adequate supply of hard currency or travellers-cheques.

Safety
We highly recommend the use of the safes provided in the hotel rooms to ensure your belongings are secure.
Learn more about Ethiopia: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Ethiopia

Bon Voyage

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