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March 2026, Judith Hellerstein served on the selection committee that chose Amrita Choudhury as the recipient of the 2026 ICANN Community Excellence Award at ICANN85 in Mumbai. The award, presented by ICANN President and CEO Kurtis Lindqvist at the ICANN85 Welcome Ceremony on 9 March 2026, honors community members who have made sustained and substantive contributions to consensus-based policy development and the functioning of ICANN's multistakeholder model. Amrita Choudhury is a longtime ICANN community member and chair of the Asia Pacific Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO).

March 2026, Judith Hellerstein spoke on the DNS Women panel at ICANN85 in Mumbai. The session, WSIS+20 Next Steps: Views from Different Regions, was held on 11 March 2026. Judith spoke about her work as coordinator of the IGF Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability (DCAD), arguing that disability inclusion must move from footnote to core priority in the WSIS+20 implementation — and that inaccessible digital infrastructure is not merely a design failure but a human rights issue. The session was chaired by Amrita Choudhury. (Watch full session | Read transcript)

January 2026, Judith Hellerstein attended the Identity, Authentication and the Road Ahead 2026 conference, and asked a question about digital identity and data privacy.

December 2025, Judith Hellerstein represented the Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability (DCAD) at the WSIS+20 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting in New York. On 15 December, she spoke on behalf of all Dynamic Coalitions at UN Headquarters, highlighting the work being done by DCAD and the broader Internet Governance Forum community. She also participated in the side event 'IGF Dynamic Coalitions at the Forefront of WSIS+20 and Beyond WSIS+20' (Listen / Read / Watch entire session).

On 17 December, after more than a year of negotiations, the WSIS+20 process was finalized with adoption of the Review Outcome Document—a landmark achievement for global digital governance. For the first time, the Internet Governance Forum has been granted permanent mandate as a UN forum, reaffirming the value of multistakeholder cooperation. Event details.

December 2025, Judith Hellerstein attended the opening event for Pax Silica at the US Institute for Peace. The event brought together nations working on AI governance and efforts to strengthen and secure technology supply chains. More information.

December 2025, Judith Hellerstein contributed to Tim Unwin's book Digital Inclusion in an Unequal World. She also recorded an audio tribute to Nigel Hickson on the companion podcast. Nigel Hickson, a well-liked and effective digital governance colleague, sadly died earlier in 2025. Listen to the tribute.

October 2025, Judith Hellerstein attended the World Bank/IMF Annual Meeting in Washington DC. She was videoed describing the foundational principles for successful digital transformation, and had fun using the interactive boards to demonstrate the transformation process.

June 2025, Judith Hellerstein participated in the 20th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm, Norway.

Judith's activities included speaking and moderating a number of sessions:

Nigeria Open Forum

Video | Transcript

Policy Network for Meaningful Access

Video | Transcript

Enhancing Data Governance in the Public Sector

Video | Transcript

Dynamic Coalition Session: Future of Multistakeholder Governance

Video | Transcript

May 2025, Judith Hellerstein provided policy development training to staff at the Department of ICT, Government of Papua New Guinea. She has been working with the Department for almost 6 years, and this visit focused on teaching Policy Staff how to write, develop, and engage stakeholders throughout the policy process. The three-day training (May 6-8) covered over 9 hours of instruction for more than 20 DICT Policy, Sector Funding, Partnership and M&E staff. Topics included Policy Analysis, Policy Instruments, Stakeholder Engagement and Mapping, Consultation, Policy Framework and Coordination, Policy Advocacy and Communications, Implementation Roadmap and Action Plan, M&E, and the NEC Approval Process. The training used case studies based on policies DICT staff had created, and produced a template for future policy development along with guidance on concept notes. Evaluations were extremely favorable, with all participants rating the course 4 or 5 out of 5.

During this visit, Judith also worked with the Department of ICT and the PNG Regulator on revising the ICT Act.

April 2025, Judith Hellerstein's intervention at the World Bank IMF Spring Meetings was featured during one of the panels on Connectivity.

March 2025, At the ICANN82 Community Forum in Seattle, Judith Hellerstein presented the ICANN Community Excellence Award to Stephen Deerhake at the Opening Ceremony. Representing North America on the At-Large Leadership Council, she also attended many sessions during the week and helped organize the NARALO Town Hall and other events. Highlights included meeting Internet Hall of Fame inductee Jake Feinler (2012) and learning firsthand about her pioneering Internet work back in 1972, and was one of the Internet and ICANN Pioneers. ICANN meetings are also valuable for networking with colleagues and friends, including Nigel Hickson, Chengetai Masango, Charles Mok, Maureen Hilyard, Hadia El Miniawi, Laura Margolis, Marco Hogewoning, Suada Hadzovic, and many others. ICANN82 program.

February 2025, H&A hosted the validation workshop for the St. Lucia National Broadband Policy, Strategy and Financing framework. Several news outlets covered the successful validation workshop and interviewed the key participants including H&A's founder Judith Hellerstein.

December 2024, Judith Hellerstein attended the Global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Notably, Saudi Arabia had voted against the IGF's re-authorization ten years ago, but now supports it as part of its digital transformation efforts. At the IGF, Judith organized sessions on Meaningful Access, the Global Digital Compact, and Accessibility and Education. She was active in several IGF Policy Networks including Meaningful Access and Artificial Intelligence, along with the Dynamic Coalitions—particularly the Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability (DCAD), which she co-leads with Dr. Muhammad Shabbir. This was the second IGF where DCAD brought Disability Fellows to experience the forum, supported by Vint Cerf and Google.

November 2024, Judith Hellerstein attended the ICANN81 Annual General Meeting in Istanbul, Türkiye, wearing multiple hats within the ICANN community, including Chair of the At-Large Technology Task Force, Chair of the Global Indigenous Ambassador Program, an active participant of the Cross Community Working Groups on Internet Governance and Auction Proceeds, and as an all-round champion of accessibility. A highlight was participating in a domain issues discussion with Steve Crocker. Judith's program at ICANN81.

September 2024, Judith Hellerstein celebrated Papua New Guinea's 49th Independence Day with staff at the Department of ICT. She was in the country working on Data Governance/Data Protection Policy and Cybersecurity Strategy development.

August 2024, USTDA awarded a technical assistance grant to the Tocantins State Information Technology Agency in Brazil. The grant helps advance modern digital infrastructure, connectivity, and e-government services across one of the country's fastest-growing states. Hellerstein & Associates reviewed and recommended the funding of this feasibility study to USTDA. News story.

July 2024, Judith Hellerstein and Nicole Garraway, an associate at Hellerstein & Associates, working with the St Lucia Department of Public Sector Modernization helping the department develop a Broadband Policy, Plan and Strategy for St. Lucia. The H&A team is working with stakeholders across the Government, Private Sector, and civil society to develop this Broadband Policy Framework. The St. Lucia Government Caribbean Digital Transformation Project.

December 2023, Judith Hellerstein assisted the PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) at a multi-stakeholder policy dialogue on "Improving Network Coverage and Expansion and Financial Inclusion in the Sepik." The work was done in partnership with ITU, NICTA, and UN Capital Development Fund. Representatives from DICT, NICTA, the EU Delegation, prominent telco operators, and financial institutions actively participated, forming a united front to craft a comprehensive roadmap for the region's development.

November 2023, Judith Hellerstein assisted the PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on the Digital Government Delivery Workshop. The work was done in partnership with ITU and UN DESA. The workshop is a pivotal initiative to ensure that Papua New Guinea's public bodies are informed and aligned with their digital transformation objectives.

October 2023, ICANN recognized Judith Hellerstein for her two years of leadership on the ICANN Nominating Committee with an award and commendation at their award ceremony.

May 17, 2023, Judith Hellerstein joined Roxanne John from the ISOC Chapter in St. Vincent for a Round Table Talk in honor of World Telecom Day 2023. The subject was Digital Transformation.

February 2023, Judith Hellerstein provided technical assistance to the Department of ICT of Papua New Guinea for the Pacific ICT Dialogue. This meeting was held at the Gazelle International Hotel in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea. The meeting was led by the Minister for ICT, Timothy Masiu, who called for greater collaboration among Pacific nations to drive progress in ICT.

November 2022, Judith Hellerstein & David Townsend facilitated a national Stakeholder Consultation for DICT and NICTA where they launched the National Broadband Plan before all stakeholders. Representatives from various Government Agencies, Operators, Private Sector, Academic, Technical Community, and Civil Society came to provide their comments on the Plan's five key pillars: Infrastructure/Connectivity, Affordable Smart Devices, Broadband Applications/Content, Education/Training/Capacity Building, and Government/Public Services. The Workshop was attended by more than 80 people.

2022, Judith Hellerstein & David Townsend facilitated a national Stakeholder Consultation on Universal Access and Service Policy for PNG. The consultation provided stakeholders including civil society, private and public sector, academia, businesses, and mobile operators a forum to voice their views on the UAS Policy and Strategic Plan. The workshop was attended by more than 50 people.

January 2022, Hellerstein & Associates held a successful Validation Workshop in Accra, Ghana for the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisations. The workshop presented the findings and recommendations of the Legislative Review and Gap Assessment Report. This work was funded by the World Bank under the eTransform Project. During 2021 the team held over 30 virtual stakeholder consultations and reviewed over 60 different legislations, regulations, and policies. The keynote speech was given by H.E. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitalisation.

September 25, 2020, USTDA awarded a grant to Equatorial Telecomunicacoes S.A. to facilitate the development of a broadband network backbone in Brazil's northeast region. Hellerstein & Associates wrote the pre-feasibility study for USTDA in 2019. More info.

September 3, 2020, USTDA awarded a technical assistance grant to the State Bank of Para (Banpara) to advance ICT infrastructure modernization. The grant improves access to digital banking for more than seven million customers. Hellerstein & Associates wrote the pre-feasibility study for USTDA in 2019. More info.

September 2020, USTDA released the RFP for the Salta Modernization Program. Hellerstein & Associates had written the pre-feasibility study in 2017. RFP info.

June 2020, Judith Hellerstein presented on digital government and digital transformation policy at the ICT Policy workshop in Papua New Guinea. News Article about the Digital Transformation Workshop.

February 2020, Judith Hellerstein began work as Senior ICT and Telecom Policy Consultant for the Papua New Guinea Department of Communications and Information Technology. Working under the Economic Social Infrastructure Program, she provided ICT and digital transformation policy advice, including development of digital government applications, digital ID, IT infrastructure, data localization, data privacy, e-transaction, and cybersecurity frameworks. News Article about the Papua New Guinea Digital Transformation Policy.

December 2019, Judith Hellerstein attended the Global IGF in Berlin, Germany. She was a speaker and rapporteur for several workshops on trade, innovations, digital inclusion, and accessibility. Blog post reflecting on the conference.

November 2019, Judith Hellerstein & Alfredo Calderon were the academic directors for the North American School of Internet Governance (NASIG) in Montreal, Canada. NASIG was a full two-day event with 40 moderators and speakers covering Connectivity, Domain Fundamentals, Cybersecurity, Education, Internet Governance, Trust & Privacy, Gender, ICANN's relevance, Block Chain and IoT. Program and videos.

September 2019, Judith Hellerstein worked with IP3 to develop and teach a two-week class on Telecom Regulation: Challenges and Opportunities. Topics included Competition Policy, Licensing, Spectrum Management, Cybersecurity, Data Management, Privacy, e-Government Services, Internet Governance, and Consumer Protection. Presentations.

July 2019, Judith Hellerstein was invited to be a guest speaker for IP3's Quality of Service Seminar. Presentation.

July 2019, Judith Hellerstein was one of the main organizers for a panel at IGF-USA titled "Innovative Solutions for Digital Inclusion." The panel looked at current barriers to an inclusive Internet and how access can be expanded to underserved areas.

April 2019, USTDA's Argentina ICT Modernization Reverse Trade Mission was announced. This came from an H&A pre-feasibility study completed for USTDA. More info.

March 2019, Judith Hellerstein presented "Demystifying Internet Governance" at the Non-Profit Technology Conference. Presentation.

2019, Judith Hellerstein authored a blog post on "What I saw at the 2018 Plenipot and the Impact that Politicalization of Resolutions Has on Their Success or Failure." Read on LinkedIn or here.

December 2018, Judith Hellerstein organized an event for ISOC DC entitled "Plenipot 2018: The Role and Impact of Civil Society." Presentation.

November 2018, USTDA released the RFP for the Salta Smart City Project. Hellerstein & Associates wrote the pre-feasibility study in 2017-2018. Full publication list.

November 2018, USTDA released the RFP for the Paraiba State Broadband project in Brazil. Hellerstein & Associates wrote the pre-feasibility study in 2016.

October-November 2018, Judith Hellerstein was selected as an ISOC Fellow and Mentor to attend the ITU Plenipotentiary in Dubai, UAE. On the Internet Society Delegation, she closely followed resolutions on Connectivity and Access, Over the Top Services, and Internet Related resolutions.

September 2018, USTDA released the RFP for the Sao Paulo State Data Center Integration and Consolidation Project. RFP. Prior RFPs were published for Broadband infrastructure projects that H&A wrote pre-feasibility studies for in Pernambuco, Sao Paulo, and Bahia in 2016.

September 2018, Judith Hellerstein was a guest speaker for IP3's Quality of Service Seminar. Presentation.

July-August 2018, Judith Hellerstein provided training and capacity building to Regulators from the Nigerian Communications Commission. This was part of IP3's Telecom Regulation course. Classes taught.

March 2018, Judith Hellerstein was one of the faculty members of the North American School of Internet Governance (NASIG) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her talk on the History of Internet Governance is located here.

November 2017, ICANN recognized Judith Hellerstein for her three years of leadership of the North American Regional At Large Organization with an award and commendation.

September 2017, The H&A team travelled to Gabon to present the Final National Broadband Strategy to the Ministry of Economy and Digital Computer. The presentation was made at a national workshop of all stakeholders. We presented our Final Report and had a good discussion with stakeholders.

July 2017, Judith Hellerstein was one of the main organizers for a panel at IGF-USA titled "Promoting a More Inclusive Internet." The panel looked at current barriers to an inclusive Internet and explored how access can be expanded to underserved areas and underrepresented communities. Summary.

June 2017, Hellerstein & Associates led a team to Buenos Aires, Argentina to develop ICT focused pre-feasibility studies. The studies analyzed the viability of ICT, broadband networks, data-centers, and Smart Cities projects for USTDA funding.

April 2017, The H&A Team travelled to Gabon to present the draft broadband strategy. The presentation was made to the Ministry of Economy and Digital Computer and the National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies at a national workshop of all stakeholders.

November 2016, Guadalajara, Mexico, Judith Hellerstein was one of the featured speakers at the Global IGF on a panel titled "Trade, the Internet, Access and Connectivity."

June 2016, Hellerstein & Associates was awarded a contract by the World Bank to develop a national broadband strategy for Gabon. The contract provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Economy and Digital Computer (MENP), the Regulatory Authority (ARCEP), and the National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies (ANINF). Judith Hellerstein led a team of seven consultants covering:

• Current digital infrastructure
• Current e-government programs and services
• Current and potential applications for broadband in Gabon
• Identified the types of applications that can monetize the development of broadband infrastructure
• Developed a digital spatial plan serving as a repository for the Government and private investors
• Stabilized Legal and Regulatory Framework

June 2016, Judith Hellerstein was one of the main organizers for a panel at IGF-USA on "Expanding access, adoption, and digital literacy through technology and local solutions."

June 2016, USTDA Supports Efforts to Increase Broadband Access in Northern Brazil. Read more. USTDA awarded a grant to PRODEPA, the State of Para's IT company. Hellerstein & Associates reviewed and recommended the funding of this feasibility study to USTDA.

June 2016, H&A was awarded a grant by USTDA to conduct six ICT focused pre-feasibility studies in Brazil. The studies covered the States of Bahia, Sao Paulo, Goias, Pernambuco, and Paraiba, analyzing the viability of ICT, broadband networks, data-centers, and e-Government projects.

August 2015, USTDA Advances IT Modernization in Southern Brazil. Read more. USTDA awarded a grant of $356,920 to PROCERGS, Rio Grande do Sul's state IT company. Hellerstein & Associates reviewed and recommended the funding of this feasibility study to USTDA.

July 2015, Hellerstein & Associates has been actively involved in the Internet Governance Forum's Intersessional work on Policy Options for Connecting the Next Billion. See this website for a complete description. H&A's contribution.

May 2015, USTDA Promotes IT Modernization in Brazil. Read more. USTDA awarded a grant to EMGETIS (Sergipe State Information Technology Company). Hellerstein & Associates reviewed and recommended the funding of this feasibility study to USTDA.

July 2014, An H&A team went to Brazil to evaluate IT and infrastructure projects for USTDA. Hellerstein & Associates reviewed and recommended the funding of five of six feasibility studies for the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Tocantins, Sergipe, Para, and Santa Catarina. We developed five ICT focused pre-feasibility studies including detailed terms of reference, budgets, and qualifications for consultants. Our reports analyzed the viability of ICT, broadband networks, data-centers, e-Government and Internet of Things projects for USTDA funding.

December 2012, H&A's Judith Hellerstein & Rene Bustillo hosted a successful workshop in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The workshop at the Shangri-La reviewed deliverables submitted under the Developing and Negotiation of Regulatory Instruments with NATCOM, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and SALCAB.

November 2012, H&A's Judith Hellerstein developed a program in Baku, Azerbaijan under the Commercial Law Development Program of the US Department of Commerce. The program funded a 10-member delegation of regulators and ministry officials from Iraq and a 3-person delegation from Egypt's Civil Society prior to the 7th Internet Governance Forum. Topics included copyright, intellectual property, Internet Freedom, Internet Governance, and cyber risk assessment.

June 2012, H&A's Judith Hellerstein and Sofia Abraham Mendoza conducted training in Chisinau, Moldova. Working for The Annenberg School of Communications, they trained the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications on ICT, e-Government, leadership skills, ICT Policy, cyber crime, spectrum policy, open access, and broadband deployment. This project was financed by InfoDev.

April 2012, H&A's Judith Hellerstein represented the Greater Washington DC Internet Society chapter at the Global Chapter meetings and Global INET in Geneva, Switzerland.

December 2011, H&A visited Freetown, Sierra Leone to begin technical assistance work for the Ministry and Regulator. Work related to open access issues to the submarine cable.

November 2011, H&A signed a contract with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Sierra Leone under the World Bank funded West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program. The contract provided technical assistance to develop and negotiate regulatory instruments to assess legal and regulatory actions needed to ensure open and non-discriminatory access to cable landing and other international gateway facilities.

October 2011, H&A's Judith Hellerstein signed a letter of Intent with the Annenberg School of Communications. The work involved developing a diagnostic and analysis on broadband and e-Government deployment in the Western CIS and Central Asian Countries, plus curricula development for training public officials on ICT, e-Government, leadership skills, cyber crime, spectrum policy, open access, and broadband deployment.

October 2011, H&A in partnership with Millennium International Limited was awarded the Moldova Telecom Privatization project by the International Finance Corporation.

October 2011, H&A held a successful drafting review workshop in St. Lucia. Attorneys General from the 6 OECS countries worked to finalize new legislation for electronic transactions, digital signatures, electronic payment, E-Filing, cybercrime, cyber security, privacy and data protection, interception of communications, and freedom of information laws following WTO & UNCTAD best practices.

September 2011, H&A's Judith Hellerstein signed a letter of Intent with the Annenberg School of Communications to develop a revised edition of the Afghanistan Media Law Manual.

September 2011, H&A held a successful drafting review workshop in St. Lucia. Legislative drafters from the 6 OECS countries worked to finalize new legislation and regulations for electronic transactions, digital signatures, electronic payment, E-Filing, cybercrime, cyber security, privacy and data protection.

May 2011, H&A held two successful workshops for the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Vientiane and Pakse. The workshops covered assessment and capacity building to strengthen the Government's legal framework in advance of Laos entry into the WTO. Attendees included Government employees, civil society, NGOs, and the private sector.

January 2011, H&A signed a contract with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in Castries, St. Lucia. The contract provided technical assistance to the OECS countries in 2010-2011 to harmonize their legal and regulatory frameworks for electronic transactions, trade, electronic payment, E-Filing, cybercrime, and cyber security.

November 2010, H&A signed a contract with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Vientiane, Laos. The contract provided technical assistance to assess the institutional, legal and regulatory framework for Technical Barriers to Trade in the Lao PDR with regard to WTO compliance and effectiveness in enabling a market economic system.

2010, USTDA Projects in Brazil - Brazil Receives USTDA Country of the Year Award. Read more. USTDA Director Larry W. Walther presented an award naming Brazil as the agency's 2008 Country of the Year. Hellerstein & Associates reviewed and recommended to USTDA to fund five of these projects over the past few years.

2010, USTDA Supports Broadband Project in Brazil's Acre Region. Read more. USTDA awarded a grant to the Government of the State of Acre to promote the development of a statewide broadband project. Hellerstein & Associates reviewed and recommended the funding of this feasibility study to USTDA.

December 2010, Judith Hellerstein provided three days of training and capacity building to Regulators attending IP3's Annual Next Generation Telecom Regulatory Seminar. Presentations from Day 1 & Day 2.