| Comment Close Date | Statement Name | Status | Assignee(s) and | Call for Comments | Call for Comments Close | Vote Announcement | Vote Open | Vote Reminder | Vote Close | Date of Submission | Staff Contact and Email | Statement Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n/a | ALAC Demarche to ICANN | Submitted | Olivier Crepin-Leblond (EURALO) | 11.12.2012 | 14.12.2012 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 03.01.2012 | n/a | AL/ALAC/CO/1212/1 |
FINAL VERSION TO BE SENT AS AN EMAIL
Please click here to download a copy of the draft below.
FINAL DRAFT VERSION (Consensus call on 20 December 2012 ALAC monthly call)
Dear Mr. Chehadé,
As you know, a number of people who intended to participate at the ICANN 45 meeting in Toronto experienced visa problems, and some of them missed the meeting altogether. Of course, the granting of visas is the sovereign right of the host country, and there is very little ICANN can do when such problems come to light, which is typically very close to the meeting.
However, with its three annual meetings a core activity, ICANN should be highly concerned about this problem, particularly when its essential structures and their bylaws-mandated compositional balance are affected. This is what happened in Toronto when three of five ALAC-appointed members of the 2013 Nominating Committee were not able to participate at the committee's kick-off meeting. Representatives came from Sudan (representing Africa), Moldova (representing Europe), and Armenia (representing the Asia-Pacific). A fourth NomCom member, a Kenyan representative of the GNSO business community, received his visa at the last moment and barely made it to Toronto. The lack of understanding from the host country, Canada, was truly surprising.
ICANN's globalization and its endeavor to be inclusive and representative of all regions of the world should not be held hostage by the whims of host country visa policies and bureaucratic implementation delays. We would like to highlight the example of Wikimedia, which also conducts global annual meetings – the Wikimania - an event that is hosted each year by a chapter in a different country. Wikimedia has managed to hold its meetings with full participation even in countries with severe visa conditions (e.g., US, Europe and Israel) by making the earliest arrangements possible with the host country representatives and authorities. These arrangements typically take place at least one year in advance.
The ALAC respectfully suggests that, as part of the selection process for future meeting venues, ICANN sets as a condition that the potential host organization presents the firm commitment of relevant immigration authorities to facilitate the granting of visas to all members of the NomCom, ICANN Advisory Committee, Supporting Organization members, Staff and other participants designated as essential by ICANN. If other international forum organizers are able to obtain such commitment, so should ICANN.
Yours sincerely,
Olivier Crépin-Leblond
Chair, At-Large Advisory Committee
FIRST DRAFT SUBMITTED
(Source: Yrjö Länsipuro // EURALO Call )
As you might know, a number of people who intended to participate at the ICANN meeting in Toronto experienced visa problems, and some of them missed the meeting altogether. Of course, the granting of visas is the sovereign right of the host country, and there is very little ICANN can do when such problems come to light, typically very close to the meeting.
However, ICANN should be a concerned when its essential structures and the bylaws-mandated balance of their composition are affected by visa problems. This is what happened in Toronto, when three of five ALAC-appointed members of the 2013 Nominating Committee were not able to participate at the committee's kick-off meeting. They were from Sudan, representing Africa, Moldova, representing Europe, and from Armenia, representing the Asia-Pacific. A fourth NomCom member, a Kenyan representative of the GNSO business community, barely made it, having received his visa at the last moment.
ICANN's globalization and its endeavour to be inclusive and representative of all regions of the world should not be held hostage by the whims of visa policies of the host countries and bureaucratic delays in their implementation. We know that Wikimedia is also conducting a global annual meeting – the Wikimania – which is hosted subsequently by another chapter in a different country. They have managed a full participation even in countries with severe visa conditions (like US, Europe or Israel) by earliest arrangements possible (around a year ahead) with the host country representatives and authorities.
The ALAC respectfully suggests that in the future, as part of the selection process of future meeting venues, ICANN sets as a condition that the potential host organization present a firm commitment of relevant immigration authorities to facilitate the granting of visas to all members of the NomCom and other participants designated as essential by ICANN.
Sincerely Yours,
Olivier Crépin-Leblond
14 Comments
Alberto Soto
I agree!
Regards
Rinalia Abdul Rahim
Excellent content. Suggested edits below:
Dear Mr. Chehadé,
As you know, a number of people who intended to participate at the ICANN 45 meeting in Toronto experienced visa problems, and some of them missed the meeting altogether. Of course, the granting of visas is the sovereign right of the host country, and there is very little ICANN can do when such problems come to light, which is typically very close to the meeting.
However, ICANN should be extremely concerned about this problem. Particularly when its essential structures and their bylaws-mandated compositional balance are affected. This is what happened in Toronto when three of five ALAC-appointed members of the 2013 Nominating Committee were not able to participate at the committee's kick-off meeting. They were from Sudan (representing Africa), Moldova (representing Europe), and Armenia (representing the Asia-Pacific). A fourth NomCom member, a Kenyan representative of the GNSO business community, received his visa at the last moment and barely made it.
ICANN's globalization and its endeavour to be inclusive and representative of all regions of the world should not be held hostage by the whims of host country visa policies and bureaucratic implementation delays. We would like to highlight the example of Wikimedia, which also conducts global annual meetings – the Wikimania - an event that is hosted each year by a chapter in a different country. Wikimedia has managed to hold its meetings with full participation even in countries with severe visa conditions (e.g., US, Europe and Israel) by making the earliest arrangements possible with the host country representatives and authorities. These arrangements typically take place at least one year in advance.
The ALAC respectfully suggests that, as part of the selection process for future meeting venues, ICANN sets as a condition that the potential host organization present the firm commitment of relevant immigration authorities to facilitate the granting of visas to all members of the NomCom and other participants designated as essential by ICANN.
Sincerely Yours,
Olivier Crépin-Leblond
Chair, At-Large Advisory Committee
Tijani Ben Jemaa
Excellent. But some small modifications:
ICANN's globalization and its endeavor to be inclusive and representative of all regions of the world should not be held hostage by the whims of visa policies of the host countries and bureaucratic delays in their implementation. Other international fora such as IGF, Wikimedia, etc. managed a full participation even in countries with severe visa conditions (like US, Europe or Israel) by earliest arrangements with the host country representatives and authorities.
The ALAC respectfully suggests that in the future, as part of the selection process of future meeting venues, ICANN sets as a condition that the potential host organizations present a firm commitment of relevant immigration authorities to facilitate on time the granting of visas to all members of the NomCom and other participants designated as essential by ICANN.Thomas Lowenhaupt
I like Renalia's version, she seems to have included the essence of Tijani's change recommendations.
Tom
Eduardo Diaz
Agreed!
-ed
Maureen Hilyard
I agree.. and I like Rinalia's version.
Evan Leibovitch
The short term situation sees no signs of improvement. It is possible that China' s immigration gauntlet may be just as tough as Canada's. And to contrast Wikimedia' s giving itself more than a year to plan immigration logistics, ICANN's 48th meeting -- slated to take place less than 11 months from now – does not even have a host country selected.
Though I can't think of specific wording at this moment, IMO it may be useful to put this comment in the context of ICANN's consolidated meetings proposal (which is intended to provide stability in meeting locations chosen – in large part – for accessibility and cost). We ought to acknowledge the existing work on meetings planning and relate our comments to it, else our advice may be brushed off because ICANN believes it is already addressing the problem.
Yaovi Atohoun
This visa matter is not easy to handle because of each country sovereignty. I can see difficult for some countries to issue visa on arrival as done in some meetings. What is good that ICANN is "not forced" to have a meeting in a particular country. ICANN has a list of requirement and that is the area to improve.
In ALAC statement regarding the ICANN consolidated meeting proposal we said "The ALAC believes that easy VISA procurement to citizens of all countries should be the first criterion of the new strategy". It is very important
Other examples are mentioned in that Statement. My opinion is that this letter should necessary refer to the need to advance on the ICANN consolidated meeting proposa discussions.
It seems also to me that some consulates in some countries are not even informed when an ICANN meeting is happening in their cities. All theses should be part of the requirement to select a host country.
While important to me to focus on the consolidated meeting proposal I don't see a problem sending this letter if necessary. In that case I suggest that we replace "NOMCOM" by "ICANN AC and SO, Staff" in the amended version by Rinalia
Yaovi
Yaovi Atohoun
FYI report of public comments on consolidated meeting proposal at http://forum.icann.org/lists/meetings-proposal-2012/msg00016.html. 60% of the comments not in favor of the proposal
Thank you
Yaovi
Olivier Crepin-Leblond
Thank you Yaovi – this was expected.
As a result, I would suggest not referring to the ICANN Consolidated meetings strategy.
Evan Leibovitch
If we are making no reference to ICANN' s existing attempts to fix the situation, then this statement takes the form of a complaint about past events rather than concrete advice going forward, and as such should be a letter from the Chair rather than formally-ratified ALAC statement or advice.
ICANN has taken a good-faith attempt to streamline meetings with an emphasis on predictability and accessibility. Yes, there are problems with the proposal, but is a good and useful start that, in part, attempts to address the issues indicated in the letter.
Carlton Samuels
I've been thinking about this and have had further consultations. Like Evan, I think it might be useful to acknowledge that ICANN is responding to the challenges of its internationalization - I use that term advisedly! - with the meeting strategy proposed. I should think matters arising, like the visa issue, would be addressed here. I also understand staff and Board PPC have been engaged in discussions here; Sebastien is the Chair of the PPC so we should expect frequent guidance and shared info.
So on the balance of the facts, I'm inclined to recommend the ALAC conserve its ammo and reserve its judgment. I would suggest that we instead opt for a letter from the ALAC Chair to the ICANN Board Chair, copied to the Chair, Board PPC.
-Carlton
Holly Raiche
At the ALAC meeting, I think we thought chair to chair correspondence was the way to go. And I agree with Rinalia's noticing that Wikimedia manages to start arrangements a year in advance - just so that the Toronto problems are not experienced. And getting to Beijing is also going to be a challenge. So I do agree with Carlton and Evan - let's acknolwedge that ICANN is responding to the challenges of internationalisation, but needs to plan meetings far enough in advance so that the visa issue is addressed early.
Olivier Crepin-Leblond
Re: Chair to Chair communication, yes, that's what will happen.
Thanks for your support