ALAC Statement on the Draft 2011-2014 Strategic Plan - Version 0.01
1 Intro
2 Comments on Content
Four Strategic Focus Areas:
2.1 DNS stability and security
2.1.1 Strategic Objectives
2.1.2 Community Work
2.1.3 Strategic Projects
2.1.4 Staff Work
As mentioned in previous years, At Large supports the strategy outlined fully.
DNS stability and security is of primary importance for end users who wish to use an Internet that is as reliable as can be. Any focus by ICANN to enhance stability and security is welcome.
The mention of IPv6 roll-out, adoption and engagement, at the three levels (Community Work, Strategic Projects and Staff Work) is a positive and welcome development.
2.2 Consumer choice, competition and innovation
2.2.1 ICANN-identified stategic objectives:
2.2.1.1 More TLDs available in multiple languages (IDNs)
2.2.1.2 Increase regional participation in the industry
2.2.1.3 Mitigate Malicious conduct
2.2.1.4 Foster industry innovation
2.2.1.5 Promote fair opportunities
2.2.1.6 Implementation & deployment of the IDNS protocol to ensure IDNs operate as expected
2.2.2 ICANN At Large-identified Strategic Objectives
At Large re-iterates its comments made in previous years. We are very pleased that IDNs are providing consumer choice and hope that the new gTLD programme will be beneficial to healthy competition but also to an increase in regional participation in the industry. Choice does not only come from a select few regions of the world, but from having a local partner, accessible locally and understanding local cultures.
At Large supports the strategy defined in the document fully, with a special mention for promotion of local communities. It is our wish that the new gTLD programme benefits local communities directly.
Also emphasised is the notion of mitigating malicious conduct. At Large is ready to help drive the process of developing a Registrants Rights Charter in collaboration with the rest of ICANN.
2.3 Core Operations including IANA
At Large supports the decision of ICANN to submit a proposal for the IANA contract renewal based on ICANN’s track record and other factors including the confidence that ICANN’s multi-stakeholder model of bottom-up governance is a guarantee of good standing with regards to core operations.
The aim of improving the ongoing efficiency and effectiveness of policy development and implementation processes and the multi-stakeholder model that engages the community is fully supported by At Large. Furthermore, At Large agrees with the GNSO initiative to improve the PDP and also encourages and supports additional initiatives.
The continuous improvement process towards operational excellence is very welcome and At Large fully supports ICANN’s engagement with the technical community including the IETF and root server managers.
2.4 A healthy Internet eco-system
At Large fully supports the recommendations contained in this sub-section. As a reminder, At Large is a core constituent of each one of the core strategic objectives outlined in this section. In particular, we welcome Internet Governance education and would urge ICANN to consider making better use of the power and outreach of At Large’s constituency organization of Regional At Large Organisations (RALOs) and At Large Structures (ALSes) present in over 80 countries around the world.
3 Comments on Process and Structure
3.1 ICANN Planning Cycle
The current planning cycle is designed to involve constituencies in the planning process at an earlier stage than it used to be. The new timing, as explained on the graphic supplied by ICANN, shows a FY12 first comment period on Nov 10 on the Strategic 2011-2014 Strategic Plan, then a second comment period in February 2011 for the FY12 Framework, and finally a FY12 Adopted Budget comment period in May 2011.
This will require adjustment of At Large planning cycle to become in sync with the FY12 development cycle.
3.2 New Plan Goals
At Large fully supports the new plan Goals of re-organise objectives to distinguish areas of control vs. influence as well as bringing in measureable objectives. It would be useful if ICANN kept track of those objectives and we are looking forward to see such tracking take place, alongside performance evaluation reinforcing accountability.
3.3 Response to Community Input
At Large is pleased to see the new process for engaging community input at an earlier time, and amending the plans according to the first round of such input. It is through such dialogue with the whole community that processes will attain better accountability and legitimacy with the community as a whole. In our view, this reinforces the notion of bottom-up process in ICANN.
3.4 Plan for getting Board Approval
The new plan for getting Board Approval is a great improvement over the process it replaces. The consultations with Working Groups and Constituencies have engaged constituencies immediately and helped bring ownership of the plan closer to the edges. At Large hopes that this process will be upheld in future Strategic Plan cycles and even reinforced through enhanced collaboration between itself and the planning team. We will strive to ensure better communication with At Large Structures so as for the edges of the At Large Organisational Structure have a greater voice and so as to enhance the process of global involvement in this novel governance model.
