[IGFmaglist] Concerns related to visa for Indonesia

[Veronica Cretu]

Dear MAG colleagues, greetings!

I have just arrived back this morning from Kiev, Ukraine where I approached
Indonesian Embassy and asked for support in facilitating the visa issuing
process.

In line with my not very positive experience, I would like *to urge
Indonesian colleagues to follow up with MFA and their Embassies abroad and*:

- *At LEAST* inform their posts about the upcoming event  (dates, place,
what is  IGF, etc);
- *Ask Embassies* to provide support in getting visas the same day -
especially in cases when people come from a country that does not have an
Indonesian Embassy and have a long distance to drive (in my case 1000 km
both ways).

Indonesian Embassy in Kiev/Ukraine refused to give me the visa (regardless
of the letter from UN, etc.). They did not say from the very beginning that
they are not going to issue it there, in Ukraine, They accepted all the
documents/papers and kept me in the city till 5 PM in the afternoon, asking
me to call them and check each 30-40 minutes whether there is any news (me
being on roaming) instead of allowing me to explain/give more details/talk
to Ambassador, Council, etc. The final answer was that they need
confirmation from the Indonesian Embassy in Romania on whether or not they
agree with Ukrainian side issuing the visa for me, and that the final
confirmation from Romania might come in several days.

I consider that if a country accepts to host an event like IGF, it takes
all aspects into consideration, treats all stakeholders interested to
contribute, engage and participate with respect and makes everything that
it takes to have a smooth, professional and rapid response when it comes to
visas!

I do really hope that the 2013 IGF in Indonesia will be far more enjoying
and exciting than my visa related experience:)!

I will keep contributing online and provide whatever support I can during
the IGF via remote participation/support/coordination!

With very best,
Veronica

-- 
*Veronica Cretu *
*
**President, "CMB" Training Center,
**Republic of Moldova - www.cmb.md *

*Member of the Steering Committee, *
*Open Government Partnership (OGP);*
*http://www.opengovpartnership.org/governance-staff-donors*<http://www.opengovpartnership.org/governance-staff-donors>

*Member of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group*
*To the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)*
*http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/*

*Member of the Nominating Committee of ICANN*
*(Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbering)*
*www.icann.org*

*Email: veronicacretu at gmail.com and/or veronica at cretu.md
Skype: veronicacretu
Phone: 373 067435000*
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