Directory >> People >> Representative figures of the Civil Society at ICANN and other Domain Names Institutions
Currently a Software Architect for a large Japanese company, Rafif Dammak is a Tunisian Domain name expert and an influential figure in the domain industry. Best known for his role in the development and management of new gTLDs (generic top-level domains), he is the Chair of the Noncommercial Users Constituency within ICANN.
Dammak has been actively involved with ICANN, particularly in the creation and governance of new domain extensions, and has contributed significantly to policy development within the organization. His expertise in domain name governance and policy has earned him recognition as a key figure in the industry. He is also noted for his leadership and advocacy on various internet-related issues, particularly in the domain space.
Rafik Fammak received the 2021 ICANN Community Excellence Award. He has dedicated over a decade to volunteering in GNSO and cross-community working groups, playing key roles in various ICANN groups, including the GNSO Council, Noncommercial Stakeholder Group, EPDP team, and the ICANN Nominating Committee. Based in the Asia Pacific region, he regularly participated in teleconferences during non-business hours. Rafik is known for his ability to remain neutral while working across diverse regions and stakeholder groups, managing difficult issues with a commitment to collaboration. His work ethic, dedication, and skill in facilitating fair dialogue have earned him widespread respect within the ICANN community.
Rafik Dammak is a software architect and technical lead working in Global Data Services, where he is responsible for the development of portals for Co-location services. He manages a distributed development team and oversees various roles including project management, business analysis, and platform/infrastructure management.
Rafik Dammak has a strong interest in Internet policy and governance, focusing on areas such as human rights, privacy, net neutrality, access, and infrastructure. He has participated as a speaker and workshop organizer at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), including IGF Japan and AP-IGF, where he also contributed to the program committee. He has been an active member of the steering committee of the OECD ICCP CSISAC and involved in the Freedom Online Coalition.
In addition to his technical work, Rafik Dammak has held leadership roles within ICANN, where he was the chair of the Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG). He has also been involved in multiple ICANN working groups, including serving as co-chair of the New gTLD Applicant Support Working Group. Rafik Dammak has contributed to policy development, including his role as vice-chair of the GNSO Council and his involvement in the working group addressing GDPR compliance for WHOIS.