Jan, 2008 : The Internet Is Your Business: ICANN Seeks Volunteers

MARINA DEL REY, Calif.: TheNominating Committee for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbersis looking for volunteers to help it with the global task of coordinating theInternet's unique identifiers.

"The Internet is the most powerful communicationstool in human history - and the incredible story is how much of thishas been accomplished by dedicated volunteers," said Hagen Hultzsch,Chair of the Nominating Committee (NomCom). "ICANN's work coordinatingthe Internet's addressing system is at the foundation of the Internet andits future - andwe are always looking for people who want to make a contribution."

"The issuesare fascinating - for example how do you allow the potential sevenbillion Internet users to express themselves in their own language in adomain name? How do you expand the domain names available at the top level?" Hultzschadded."These are just two issues ICANN grapples with."

The Nominating Committeetoday launched an updated and easier to use website www.icann.org/en/groups/nomcomoutlining how people can apply for positions currently open on ICANN'sBoard and its Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees. Thosepositions are:

• 2 Board Directors
• 1 GNSO Council member
• 1 ccNSO Council member
• 2 ALAC Committee members (Europe and North America)

"The people who volunteer in the ICANN community have helped build theInternet and its connections over the years," Hultzsch added. "If individualsare interested in the future of the Internet and are excited by the prospectof working with the people who helped build the network, then the NomCom invitesthem to provide a Statement of Interest based on the form available at theweb pages."

The Nominating Committee is designed to function independently fromthe Board, the Supporting Organizations, and Advisory Committees.

Informationon applying is available at www.icann.org/en/groups/nomcom.

About ICANN:

ICANN is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet's systemof unique identifiers like domain names (like .org, .museum and country codeslike .uk) and the addresses used in a variety of Internet protocols that helpcomputers reach each other over the Internet. Careful management of these resourcesis vital to the Internet's operation, so ICANN's global stakeholders meet regularlyto develop policies that ensure the Internet's ongoing security and stability.ICANN is an internationally organized, public benefit non-profit company. Formore information please visit: www.icann.org .

Media Contacts:

Jason Keenan
Media Adviser, ICANN
Ph: +1 310 382 4004
E: jason.keenan@icann.org

International: Andrew Robertson
Edelman (London)
Ph: +44 7921 588 770
E: andrew.robertson@edelman.com