UA Day 2024 – Report

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Internet Society Chapter (ISOC SVG), collaborated with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG), to host its first Universal Acceptance Day (SVG UA Day) on March 27, 2024, marking a significant step in fostering inclusivity in online communication. The event, hosted as an Email Address Internationalization (EAI) Symposium under the theme “Bridging Global Communication Gaps,” brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and neighboring islands.

The symposium attracted 37 attendees in person and 17 virtually, demonstrating a significant interest in the subject matter. Notable speakers included Albert Daniels, ICANN’s Stakeholder Engagement Sr. Manager – Caribbean; Daniel Fink, ICANN’s Stakeholder Engagement Director – Brazil; and Krislin Goulbourne-Harry, ICANN’s UA Ambassador – Caribbean. Additionally, Dr. Claire Craige, Director of CaribNOG, contributed remotely, offering insights into upcoming activities at CaribNOG for participants to leverage.

Under the adept chairmanship of Simone Joseph-Ollivierre, ISOC SVG Member, the event unfolded smoothly, with each presenter delivering impactful sessions. Albert Daniels spearheaded an enlightening discussion on UA Awareness, urging attendees to join the ICANN community and explore opportunities such as the ICANN Fellowship and NextGen programs. Daniel Fink followed suit with a hands-on EAI training session, leveraging real-world examples to engage the audience effectively. Krislin Goulbourne-Harry provided valuable insights through a comprehensive case study featuring 20 websites from businesses and agencies in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The audience response was overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing enthusiasm about engaging further with ISOC SVG and the ICANN community. The event not only heightened awareness about Universal Acceptance but also inspired tangible action among attendees, setting a promising precedent for future initiatives in the region and beyond.