



Network Working Group                               K. ATTOUMANI MOHAMED
Internet-Draft            University of Toamasina / ISOC Comoros Chapter
Intended status: Informational                           8 February 2026
Expires: 12 August 2026


 The IETF is for Everyone: Toward Inclusive and Equitable Participation
                         in Internet Governance
                   draft-attoumani-ietf-inclusion-04

Abstract

   This document aims to foster a deeper reflection within the IETF
   community on inclusive participation, equitable access, and the
   implications of global meeting venue selections on diverse
   contributors.  It seeks to complement existing RFCs by proposing
   additional dialogue, tools, and evaluation mechanisms, while also
   highlighting the shared responsibility of underrepresented regions in
   mobilizing local stakeholders to engage with the IETF.  This draft
   includes concrete proposals, metrics, and an implementation roadmap
   to move from discussion to action.

Status of This Memo

   This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
   provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.

   Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
   Task Force (IETF).  Note that other groups may also distribute
   working documents as Internet-Drafts.  The list of current Internet-
   Drafts is at https://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/.

   Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
   and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any
   time.  It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference
   material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."

   This Internet-Draft will expire on 12 August 2026.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2026 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

   This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
   Provisions Relating to IETF Documents (https://trustee.ietf.org/
   license-info) in effect on the date of publication of this document.
   Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights



ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                 [Page 1]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   and restrictions with respect to this document.  Code Components
   extracted from this document must include Revised BSD License text as
   described in Section 4.e of the Trust Legal Provisions and are
   provided without warranty as described in the Revised BSD License.

Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
   2.  Current Participation Metrics and Gaps  . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   3.  Motivations and Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
   4.  Alignment with Global Digital Governance Frameworks . . . . .   4
   5.  Voices from the Community (Synthesis of Regional
           Discussions)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
   6.  Community Feedback and Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
   7.  Addressing Common Concerns  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
   8.  Communicating the Value Proposition . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
   9.  Proposed Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
     9.1.  Initiate Community Dialogues on Venue Inclusivity . . . .   7
     9.2.  Develop Operational Tools for Assessment  . . . . . . . .   8
     9.3.  Support Regional Engagement and Rotations . . . . . . . .   8
       9.3.1.  Transformative Impact of a Meeting in an
               Underrepresented Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     9.4.  Academic Recognition Pathways . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     9.5.  Enhanced Grassroots Engagement and Youth Involvement  . .   9
     9.6.  Advance Multilingual and Accessible Communication . . . .  10
     9.7.  Shared Responsibility and Multistakeholder Advocacy . . .  10
     9.8.  Proposed Pilot: IETF Africa Engagement Program  . . . . .  11
     9.9.  Proposed: Global Inclusion Working Group  . . . . . . . .  12
     9.10. Proposed Success Metrics  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
   10. Immediate Next Steps  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
   11. Conclusion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
   Appendix A.  Acknowledgments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
   Appendix B.  Appendix A: Draft Implementation Roadmap . . . . . .  15
   Author's Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16

1.  Introduction

   The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has long promoted
   principles of openness, inclusivity, and technical excellence.  As
   the global Internet landscape evolves, so too must our mechanisms for
   ensuring equitable participation.

   This document responds to growing calls for reflection on how the
   IETF addresses systemic and structural barriers that affect
   contributors from underrepresented regions and communities.  Building
   on existing frameworks and policies, this draft outlines community-
   driven proposals to foster greater inclusion in practice.




ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                 [Page 2]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   In particular, it highlights three underexplored dimensions: (1) the
   lack of academic recognition and incentives for contributors; (2) the
   recurring concerns around meeting venue accessibility, safety, and
   equity; and (3) the need for targeted grassroots engagement —
   especially in Africa and other underserved regions — to build long-
   term pipelines for contribution.

   Through collaborative strategies such as mentorship, multilingual
   onboarding, university engagement, and periodic community
   consultations (e.g., Africa IGF 2025), this draft invites discussion
   on how the IETF can better align its practices with its foundational
   commitments to openness and global reach.

   Importantly, this document also emphasizes that inclusion is a shared
   responsibility.  While the IETF must lower barriers and facilitate
   access, communities in underrepresented regions must also proactively
   mobilize youth, academia, policymakers, and local technical
   communities to engage with and contribute to the IETF's work.

2.  Current Participation Metrics and Gaps

   Despite ongoing efforts, participation in IETF activities remains
   uneven across global regions.  Analysis of recent IETF meeting data
   reveals significant disparities:

   *  Less than 5% of attendees from African countries (IETF 115-119
      statistics)

   *  Zero IETF meetings held in Africa since inception (vs. 45+ in
      North America)

   *  Under 2% of RFC authors from African academic or research
      institutions

   *  Visa denial rates exceeding 30% for participants from certain
      Global South regions

   *  Only 15% of IETF leadership positions (WG chairs, ADs) held by
      participants from outside North America and Europe

   These metrics highlight structural imbalances that require targeted
   interventions to ensure the IETF's technical standards reflect truly
   global perspectives and use cases.








ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                 [Page 3]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


3.  Motivations and Context

   This draft was inspired by feedback from various IETF participants
   and observations across recent meetings.  It acknowledges that while
   RFCs 7704, 8718, and 9712 lay a strong foundation, practical issues
   of access, safety, and diversity persist.  Community insights were
   also gathered during Africa IGF 2025 consultations, where similar
   challenges were voiced by participants across the continent.

   A recurring theme is the need to rebalance efforts: while the IETF
   should continue improving its processes, regions with lower
   participation must also develop local strategies to identify, mentor,
   and sponsor new contributors, and advocate for the relevance of IETF
   work within their own governance and academic ecosystems.

4.  Alignment with Global Digital Governance Frameworks

   Promoting inclusive participation in Internet standards development
   is not merely an ethical imperative but aligns with multiple global
   digital governance frameworks and commitments:

   *  UN Sustainable Development Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure,
      promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization

   *  ITU's Connect 2030 Agenda: Leave no one offline, with specific
      focus on bridging digital divides

   *  African Union Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030: Calls for
      meaningful African participation in global Internet governance

   *  Internet Society's 2025 Action Plan: Explicitly commits to an
      Internet for Everyone through inclusive governance

   *  UN Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation: Emphasizes
      inclusive multistakeholder participation in technical standards

   By addressing participation gaps, the IETF contributes to these
   broader global development objectives while strengthening the
   legitimacy and relevance of its technical standards.

5.  Voices from the Community (Synthesis of Regional Discussions)

   This section reflects recurring themes and concerns raised during
   community discussions held in various regional and global forums,
   including Africa IGF sessions, Internet Society chapter meetings, and
   informal technical community exchanges.  While not exhaustive, these
   perspectives illustrate structural barriers to participation and
   highlight opportunities for reform.



ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                 [Page 4]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   Participants from academic and technical communities across Africa
   consistently emphasized that sustained participation in the IETF
   remains constrained by a combination of structural factors.  These
   include visa-related uncertainties, high travel and accommodation
   costs, and time-zone misalignment, all of which disproportionately
   affect contributors based in the Global South.  As a result,
   individuals with relevant technical expertise often lack viable
   pathways to maintain long-term engagement in standards development
   processes.

   Several discussions highlighted the catalytic effect that hosting
   IETF meetings in underrepresented regions could have on local
   academic and technical ecosystems.  Beyond immediate participation
   gains, such events were described as having the potential to create
   visible role models, strengthen institutional engagement, and inspire
   future generations of engineers and policymakers to engage in
   Internet standards work.

   Community members also repeatedly underscored the importance of
   informal, in-person interactions—often referred to as the "hallway
   track"—in building trust, collaboration, and consensus within the
   IETF.  The inability to attend meetings physically, whether due to
   financial constraints or mobility restrictions, was widely perceived
   as limiting access to these critical aspects of participation, even
   when remote tools are available.

   Finally, academic participants noted a systemic disconnect between
   Internet standards contributions and university incentive structures.
   In several discussions, it was observed that the absence of formal
   recognition of standards work (such as RFC authorship) in academic
   promotion and evaluation systems significantly reduces incentives for
   faculty members in developing regions to contribute to IETF
   processes.

6.  Community Feedback and Observations

   This section summarizes the key community feedback received through
   consultations, surveys, and direct engagement:

   *  The challenge of travel barriers (visas, safety, cost).

   *  Limited regional rotation (e.g., no IETF meetings in Africa).

   *  Importance of hallway track and in-person connections.

   *  Barriers to mentorship and project engagement beyond venue issues.





ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                 [Page 5]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   *  The need for local communities to take ownership of IETF outreach
      and capacity-building, rather than waiting for invitations or
      funding from the Global North.

   *  Lack of academic recognition disincentivizes participation from
      university researchers.

   *  Timezone challenges for real-time participation in working groups.

   *  Limited awareness of IETF processes and opportunities in
      underrepresented regions.

7.  Addressing Common Concerns

   When discussing greater inclusion, several objections are frequently
   raised.  This section addresses these concerns with evidence and
   practical responses:

   *  *"Logistical challenges are too great for hosting meetings in new
      regions"*: Partner with local Internet Societies and leverage
      existing regional conference infrastructure (e.g., AFRINIC, AIS,
      SANOG events).  Many African cities now have world-class
      conference facilities that host major international events.

   *  *"Quality of contributions may decline with broader
      participation"*: Evidence from other standards bodies (W3C, IEEE)
      demonstrates that diversity improves technical robustness by
      incorporating more edge cases and real-world deployment scenarios.
      Inclusion strengthens standards quality.

   *  *"Cost is prohibitive for expanded participation programs"*:
      Reallocate 5% of current IETF meeting budget to an inclusion fund;
      leverage hybrid participation tools to reduce travel needs; seek
      partnerships with regional development banks and foundations
      focused on digital inclusion.

   *  *"We already have remote participation options"*: While remote
      tools exist, they don't replicate the serendipitous collaboration
      of hallway tracks, informal mentoring, and relationship building
      that drives IETF work.  A blended approach is needed.

   *  *"Standards are technical, not political"*: While technical
      excellence remains paramount, the selection of which problems to
      solve, which use cases to prioritize, and whose perspectives shape
      solutions inevitably involves considerations of representation and
      equity.





ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                 [Page 6]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


8.  Communicating the Value Proposition

   Framing inclusion as a strategic advantage rather than a compliance
   requirement can build broader support within the IETF community:

   *  *Technical Robustness*: More diverse perspectives catch more edge
      cases and deployment challenges, leading to more resilient
      standards.

   *  *Market Relevance*: Standards that work effectively in Global
      South contexts (with bandwidth constraints, intermittent
      connectivity, diverse regulatory environments) will work better
      everywhere.

   *  *Legitimacy and Adoption*: Truly global standards developed with
      meaningful input from all regions enjoy broader adoption and
      implementation.

   *  *Innovation Catalyst*: Unique constraints in emerging markets
      (limited bandwidth, high latency, intermittent power) drive
      creative solutions that benefit all Internet users.

   *  *Future-Proofing*: The next billion Internet users will primarily
      come from currently underrepresented regions; their needs and
      contexts should shape today's standards.

   *  *Risk Mitigation*: Homogeneous standards development risks
      creating technical monocultures vulnerable to systemic failures;
      diversity builds resilience.

9.  Proposed Directions

9.1.  Initiate Community Dialogues on Venue Inclusivity

   Encourage structured discussions on how the IETF selects and rotates
   its venues, integrating considerations of safety, inclusion, and
   representation, especially as conditions evolve between selection and
   meeting time.  Establish a transparent scoring system for potential
   venues that includes accessibility metrics, visa approval rates for
   diverse nationalities, and local community engagement plans.











ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                 [Page 7]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


9.2.  Develop Operational Tools for Assessment

   Propose tools, scorecards, or collaborative reviews to assess venues
   and host countries based on inclusiveness, accessibility, and risk of
   exclusion.  Develop a standardized assessment framework that can be
   applied consistently across potential meeting locations, including
   factors such as visa accessibility for Global South participants,
   physical accessibility, gender safety metrics, and cost of
   accommodation.

9.3.  Support Regional Engagement and Rotations

   Explore concrete mechanisms to host meetings in underrepresented
   regions (e.g., Africa), including logistical partnerships, travel
   funds, and hybrid session enhancements.  Establish a regional
   rotation schedule that ensures every major world region hosts an IETF
   meeting at least once every 5-7 years.

9.3.1.  Transformative Impact of a Meeting in an Underrepresented Region

   Holding an IETF meeting in Africa or another underrepresented region
   would serve as more than a logistical event; it would act as a
   powerful catalyst for awareness and ecosystem development.  Such a
   meeting could:

   *  Raise visibility of the IETF among local policymakers, regulators,
      academia, and the private sector, demystifying the standards
      development process.

   *  Stimulate academic interest, leading to curriculum integration and
      research partnerships between local universities and IETF
      participants.

   *  Create a lasting legacy through local mirror events, mentorship
      networks, and continued collaboration with IETF working groups.

   *  Send a strong symbolic message that the IETF is committed to
      becoming a truly global standards body, not merely a club of
      established participants.

   *  Generate local media coverage and public awareness about Internet
      governance and technical standards, inspiring the next generation
      of contributors.

   *  Build local organizational capacity for hosting major technical
      events, creating positive spillover effects for the regional
      Internet community.




ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                 [Page 8]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


9.4.  Academic Recognition Pathways

   To bridge the academia-IETF divide and create sustainable
   participation pipelines:

   *  *RFCs as peer-reviewed equivalents*: Advocate for tenure
      committees to recognize RFCs (following German academic standards
      valuing RFCs as equivalent to 2 peer-reviewed papers).  Develop
      guidelines for academic institutions on evaluating IETF
      contributions.

   *  *University liaison program*: Create formal roles for CS
      departments to co-develop standards.  Appoint IETF ambassadors at
      universities in underrepresented regions to facilitate engagement.

   *  *Curriculum integration*: Partner with AAU (https://www.aau.org/)
      to offer academic credits for IETF contributions.  Develop
      teaching modules on Internet standards for undergraduate and
      graduate programs.

   *  *Local academic advocacy*: Encourage universities in
      underrepresented regions to formally recognize IETF participation
      in promotion, tenure, and funding decisions.  Create model
      promotion criteria that value standards contributions.

   *  *Research partnerships*: Facilitate joint research initiatives
      between IETF working groups and academic institutions,
      particularly on topics relevant to emerging markets.

9.5.  Enhanced Grassroots Engagement and Youth Involvement

   Foster collaboration with universities, local Internet communities,
   and grassroots organizations to demystify IETF processes, support
   mentorship programs, and identify new contributors from
   underrepresented regions.

   For example for African participation:

   *  IETF mirror events at African universities with hybrid
      participation support, allowing local students to experience IETF
      processes without travel.

   *  Mobilizing Internet Society local chapters to involve youth and
      academia in IETF work through dedicated outreach programs.

   *  Mentorship pipelines connecting academia to WGs, pairing
      experienced IETF participants with newcomers from underrepresented
      regions.



ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                 [Page 9]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   *  Local "IETF awareness campaigns" led by chapters, universities,
      and regulators to promote the value of participation and demystify
      the standards process.

   *  Student travel grants specifically for participants from
      underrepresented regions, with mentorship components to ensure
      meaningful engagement.

   *  Regional IETF preparatory workshops before major meetings to
      onboard new participants and help them navigate IETF processes
      effectively.

9.6.  Advance Multilingual and Accessible Communication

   Consider translating key onboarding materials and IETF resources into
   additional languages to support broader global accessibility and
   comprehension.  Develop metrics to track progress on inclusivity
   goals.  Specific actions include:

   *  Translate the "Tao of IETF" and key orientation materials into
      French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, and other major languages.

   *  Provide live interpretation for plenary sessions in multiple
      languages, starting with hybrid meetings.

   *  Develop visual guides and video tutorials explaining IETF
      processes for non-native English speakers.

   *  Create a glossary of IETF terminology in multiple languages to
      lower the initial learning curve.

   *  Establish a buddy system pairing non-native English speakers with
      native speakers for document review and presentation practice.

9.7.  Shared Responsibility and Multistakeholder Advocacy

   Achieving equitable participation requires advocacy and action at all
   levels of Internet governance.  Local stakeholders in
   underrepresented regions should:

   *  *Advocate within regional IGFs* (e.g., Africa IGF, LACIGF) to
      include IETF participation as a standing agenda item, creating
      regular touchpoints between IETF and regional communities.

   *  *Engage national regulators and ministries* to facilitate visas,
      provide travel grants, and recognize IETF contributions in
      national digital strategies and human capital development plans.




ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                [Page 10]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   *  *Organize local contribution workshops* to train new contributors
      on how to engage with RFC development and working groups, building
      local capacity for sustained participation.

   *  *Build partnerships* between universities, ISOC chapters, and
      local industry to sponsor and mentor potential IETF participants,
      creating sustainable support ecosystems.

   *  *Promote the narrative* that contributing to global Internet
      standards is a matter of digital sovereignty and technical self-
      determination, not just technical hobbyism.

   *  *Establish national IETF contact points* within regulatory
      agencies and academic networks to coordinate participation efforts
      and share information.

   The IETF, in turn, should recognize and support these bottom-up
   initiatives through liaison programs, seed funding, and formal
   channels for regional input into meeting planning and policy
   development.  This includes creating a dedicated budget line for
   global inclusion initiatives and establishing an Inclusion Advisory
   Group with diverse regional representation.

9.8.  Proposed Pilot: IETF Africa Engagement Program

   To move from discussion to action, this document proposes a 2-year
   pilot program focused on African engagement:

   *  *IETF Africa Fellowship Program*: 20 fully-funded fellowships per
      IETF meeting for participants from African institutions, including
      travel, accommodation, and mentorship support.

   *  *Regional Hub Coordination*: Designated liaison officers in North,
      West, and East Africa to coordinate local engagement, identify
      potential contributors, and provide regional context to IETF
      processes.

   *  *Academic Partnership Pilot*: Formal partnerships with 5 leading
      African universities for curriculum integration, joint research,
      and faculty exchange programs focused on IETF-relevant topics.

   *  *Pre-IETF Technical Deep-Dive*: Regional technical workshops
      before IETF meetings to help new participants understand agenda
      items, prepare contributions, and build confidence for active
      participation.






ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                [Page 11]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   *  *Local Mirror Event Program*: Support for 3-5 local IETF mirror
      events per year across Africa, with hybrid connections to main
      meetings and dedicated session facilitators.

   *  *Documentation and Evaluation*: Comprehensive documentation of the
      pilot program with regular progress reports and a final evaluation
      to inform scaling to other regions.

9.9.  Proposed: Global Inclusion Working Group

   To provide structured oversight and coordination of inclusion
   efforts, this document proposes establishing a lightweight, time-
   bound working group:

   *  *Charter*: 12-month charter to develop actionable recommendations
      and implementation plans for IETF inclusion initiatives.

   *  *Representation*: Equal representation from all global regions,
      with specific seats reserved for underrepresented regions.

   *  *Deliverables*: Three concrete deliverables: (1) updated venue
      selection guidelines with inclusion criteria, (2) design for a
      sustainable fellowship program, (3) framework for academic
      recognition of IETF contributions.

   *  *Governance*: Reports directly to IESG and IAOC with monthly
      progress updates and a final report with recommendations.

   *  *Resources*: Dedicated staff support from IETF Secretariat and
      modest budget for community consultations and outreach.

   *  *Success Metrics*: Clear metrics for evaluating the WG's
      effectiveness and impact on participation diversity.

9.10.  Proposed Success Metrics

   Measurable progress is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of
   inclusion initiatives.  The following table proposes specific targets
   for 2027 and 2030:












ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                [Page 12]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   +==================+=================+==============+==============+
   | Metric           | Baseline (2025) | Target 2027  | Target 2030  |
   +==================+=================+==============+==============+
   | Participants     | <5%             | 10%          | 20%          |
   | from Africa      |                 |              |              |
   +------------------+-----------------+--------------+--------------+
   | IETF meetings in | 0               | 1 bid        | 1 meeting    |
   | Africa           |                 | submitted    | held         |
   +------------------+-----------------+--------------+--------------+
   | RFC authors from | <2%             | 5%           | 15%          |
   | Africa           |                 |              |              |
   +------------------+-----------------+--------------+--------------+
   | Academic         | Informal        | 5            | 20           |
   | partnerships     |                 | universities | universities |
   +------------------+-----------------+--------------+--------------+
   | Translated       | English only    | 3 languages  | 10 languages |
   | materials        |                 |              |              |
   +------------------+-----------------+--------------+--------------+
   | Fellowship       | Ad hoc          | 40/year      | 100/year     |
   | participants     |                 |              |              |
   +------------------+-----------------+--------------+--------------+
   | WG chairs from   | 15%             | 25%          | 40%          |
   | Global South     |                 |              |              |
   +------------------+-----------------+--------------+--------------+
   | Visa approval    | Varies          | +15%         | +30%         |
   | rate improvement |                 |              |              |
   +------------------+-----------------+--------------+--------------+

                                 Table 1

   These metrics should be tracked annually and published in the IETF
   Annual Report, with progress reviewed by the proposed Inclusion
   Working Group.

10.  Immediate Next Steps

   This document calls for concrete actions from various stakeholders
   within the IETF ecosystem:

   1.   *IETF Leadership*: Establish an Inclusion Task Force by Q2 2026
        with representation from all regions and stakeholder groups.

   2.   *IESG/IAB*: Issue a joint statement of commitment to regional
        rotation and equitable participation, and allocate agenda time
        for regular inclusion progress reviews.






ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                [Page 13]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   3.   *IAOC*: Allocate a dedicated budget line (minimum 5% of meeting
        budget) for Global South participation support in the 2027
        budget cycle.

   4.   *IETF Secretariat*: Develop the proposed assessment tools for
        venue selection and begin piloting in the 2027 meeting planning
        cycle.

   5.   *Working Group Chairs*: Commit to mentoring at least one new
        contributor from an underrepresented region within their working
        groups.

   6.   *Regional Stakeholders*: Form national IETF contact groups
        within 6 months to coordinate local engagement and advocacy
        efforts.

   7.   *Internet Society Chapters*: Launch local IETF awareness
        campaigns and identify at least 3 potential contributors per
        chapter for mentorship.

   8.   *Academic Partners*: Begin curriculum integration pilots in at
        least 2 universities per region within 12 months.

   9.   *Corporate Participants*: Sponsor at least one fellowship
        participant from an underrepresented region per meeting.

   10.  *Community at Large*: Participate in the proposed community
        dialogues on venue inclusivity and provide feedback on
        implementation proposals.

11.  Conclusion

   This document does not propose immediate policy changes but instead
   seeks to foster thoughtful community reflection and encourage
   collaborative exploration of solutions that support the IETF's
   inclusivity goals.  The proposals presented represent a comprehensive
   approach to addressing participation gaps through structural changes,
   targeted programs, and shared responsibility.

   Through proposals on academic recognition, grassroots engagement,
   venue selection dialogue, multilingual participation, impact metrics,
   and shared responsibility, this draft aims to offer constructive
   directions grounded in community input and practical experience.  The
   included pilot program, working group proposal, and success metrics
   provide a pathway from discussion to implementation.






ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                [Page 14]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   By broadening participation and addressing structural imbalances, the
   IETF can continue to evolve as a truly global, open, and equitable
   standards body.  The technical robustness, market relevance, and
   legitimacy of IETF standards will be strengthened through more
   diverse participation, ultimately benefiting all Internet users
   worldwide.

   Community feedback is warmly invited to refine, challenge, or build
   upon these directions.  This document should serve as a starting
   point for constructive dialogue and decisive action toward a more
   inclusive IETF.

Appendix A.  Acknowledgments

   The author thanks Martin Vigoureux, Peng Shuping, Michael Richardson,
   Laurence Lundblade, and Vint Cerf for their thoughtful feedback,
   which helped shape this version of the document.  Additional thanks
   to participants in the Africa IGF 2025 consultations and members of
   the Internet Society African Chapters who provided invaluable
   insights and perspectives.

   This document has benefited from discussions within the IETF
   Diversity and Inclusion working sessions, and from the pioneering
   work of earlier documents addressing participation challenges in
   standards development organizations.

Appendix B.  Appendix A: Draft Implementation Roadmap

   This appendix outlines a proposed timeline for implementing the
   proposals in this document:

   1.  *Q2 2026*: Community consultation period on this draft; formation
       of Inclusion Task Force; initial translation of key onboarding
       materials into 3 languages.

   2.  *Q3 2026*: Inclusion Task Force begins work; development of venue
       assessment tools; launch of academic recognition advocacy
       campaign.

   3.  *Q4 2026*: Pilot fellowship program announced; first regional
       deep-dive workshop held; initial partnerships with 3 African
       universities established.

   4.  *Q1 2027*: First cohort of fellowship participants selected;
       academic recognition guidelines published; updated venue
       selection criteria implemented.





ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                [Page 15]

Internet-Draft          Inclusive IETF Governance          February 2026


   5.  *Q2 2027*: First venue selection using new inclusion criteria;
       initial progress metrics published; first local mirror events
       supported.

   6.  *Q3 2027*: Mid-point evaluation of pilot programs; adjustments
       based on lessons learned; expansion to additional regions begins.

   7.  *Q4 2027*: Comprehensive evaluation of Year 1; planning for Year
       2 expansion; preparation of first IETF meeting bid from African
       region.

   8.  *2028*: Full implementation of successful pilot elements; scaling
       of programs to additional regions; ongoing metric tracking and
       reporting.

Author's Address

   Karim ATTOUMANI MOHAMED
   University of Toamasina / ISOC Comoros Chapter
   Comoros
   Email: karimattoumanimohamed@gmail.com






























ATTOUMANI MOHAMED        Expires 12 August 2026                [Page 16]
