[Ncsg-discuss] Candidate statement

[Juan Manuel Rojas]

I am Juan Manuel Rojas, based in Colombia (LAC region). I identify as male and currently work as an academic, researcher, and Internet governance practitioner, with a professional background in journalism, social communication, and information technology.
I have been actively involved in the ICANN community since 2011, but particularly within the Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG) and the Not-for-Profit Operational Concerns Constituency (NPOC), where I have served in several leadership roles, including Membership Chair, Policy Chair, Executive Committee member, and currently Chair of NPOC. I also previously served as a GNSO Councilor representing the NCSG from 2020 to 2022. In addition, I have participated in multiple policy development and implementation efforts, including the Subsequent Procedures process, Transfer Policy discussions, implementation review teams, and continuous improvement initiatives.
My motivation for seeking this position comes from a strong commitment to ensuring that non-commercial and civil society perspectives remain visible, respected, and influential within ICANN’s multistakeholder model. I believe the GNSO Council plays a critical role not only in policy development, but also in preserving balance between stakeholder interests and maintaining trust in the bottom-up model of governance.
Over the years, I have developed experience in consensus-building, cross-community dialogue, and policy coordination in complex and sometimes highly polarized discussions. I value respectful engagement and collaborative leadership, and I believe my academic background and policy experience allow me to approach issues from both strategic and community-centered perspectives.
I do not have any known conflicts of interest that would prevent me from serving independently and in the best interests of the community.
Regarding availability, I fully understand the level of commitment required for the role of GNSO Councilor. I am prepared to dedicate the necessary time to attend Council meetings, prepare for discussions, engage in constituency coordination, participate in intersessional work, and remain actively involved in policy and implementation matters throughout the term. My previous experience as Councilor has given me a realistic understanding of the workload and responsibilities associated with the position, and I am confident in my ability to commit the time, energy, and consistency needed to effectively represent the non-commercial community.
Beyond ICANN, my work has also focused on education, digital inclusion, Internet governance capacity-building, and public interest advocacy in Latin America. I continue to believe that meaningful civil society participation is essential to the legitimacy and sustainability of the multistakeholder model, and I would be honored to continue contributing to that effort through service on the GNSO Council.
Best, Juan Manuel Rojas 

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