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ICANN55 – Exploring the “Public Interest” Within ICANN’s Remit

Monday, March 7^th: 15:15 – 16:30

Draft Agenda for Input

Background Details

Discussions on the topic of the “public interest within ICANN’s remit” and potential definitions of this term have been ongoing for years. In 2013-2014, the Strategy Panel on Public Responsibility Framework, led by Nii Quaynor, explored this topic. Based on community input at sessions and webinars, the Panel defined the global public interest in relation to the Internet as:

• “ensuring that the Internet becomes, and continues to be, stable, inclusive, and accessible across the globe so that all may enjoy the benefits of a single and open Internet. In addressing its public responsibility, ICANN must build trust in the Internet and its governance ecosystem.”

While some recommended the report, at individual and ICANN meetings, and at ICANN 52 in particular, it is evident there is a need and a desire to revisit this topic.

Given limits on bandwidth for additional projects, and given the intense focus on other ongoing dialogues, a wikispace was established as a resource space for all to populate with background documents that will be useful in guiding this conversation forward.

As set out in the ICANN Operating and Strategic Plans, ICANN will be facilitating a conversation in Financial Year 16 to explore the "public interest" within ICANN's mission and mandate, and this High Interest Session will form an important part of this work.

Draft Running Order

Building on discussions so far, comments on discussion items have been collated below in a draft agenda for mailing list discussion and modifications.

15:15 – 15:20 Introduction and Purpose (5 minutes)

Proposed Presenter: Nora Abusitta (SVP Development and Public Responsibility Programs & Session Proposer)

• Introduces session, explains purpose, outlines session format as decided upon by Mailing List.
• Also give brief current status of discussions and online resources.

Specific item for mailing list consideration:

• Should this session be focused on hearing input / issues to consider or should this be an action-oriented session with a specific desired output?

15:20 – 15:30 Previous Discussion on this Topic – The Panel

Proposed Presenter: Nii Quaynor, Chair of the Strategy Panel on the Public Responsibility Framework

• Overview of the tasks of the Strategy Panel on the Public Responsibility Framework, including issues the panel encountered and the interim definition of the term ‘public interest.’
• Questions from session attendees on this work

15:30 – 15:35 Recent Discussions- IGF, EURALO, etc.

Proposed Presenter: tbc

• Recap on IGF Session and key takeaways, ICANN54 EURALO Session, other SO/AC/SG discussions

15:35-15:40 Recent Discussions- CCWG

                  Proposed Presenter: tbc

• Recap on CCWG Discussions on the term

15:45- 16:20  Open Discussion

Questions and comments from the floor / remote participation to be guided by Facilitator (tbd)

Specific item for mailing list consideration:

• What questions would be useful to generate discussion? Examples from other conversations/sessions:
  • How is the term understood/applied in SO/ACs currently? (Internal decisionmaking research has already been carried out and published online and can be presented in introduction)
  • Is there appetite for exploring a definition for ICANN?
    • If so, what are the expectations on how this should move forward?
    • How would this be applied to:
      • ICANN’s processes
      • SO/AC decision-making
      • Should the conversation explore a single definition with specific criteria for various applications as above?
  • What expectations and hopes would Panelists and stakeholders have for next steps?
    • • Format
      • Timeline

16:20 – 16:30 Concluding Remarks and Next Steps

                  Presenter TBD.