Introduction

As part of the strategic planning process each year and per the http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-29jul11-en.htm#stratplan-timeline2012-2015 Strategic Plan Draft Development Timeline, ICANN is seeking public comment on a framework that has been structured to assist in soliciting Community feedback.

Strategic Plan key areas for your comments

1. Policy development process (including Whois and IDNs)
2. Multi-stakeholder model  (including new stakeholders, balancing of input)
3. Globalization/Internationalization of ICANN (including the role of governments)
4. Underdeveloped nation participation (including how to increase participation)
5. DNS stability, security and resiliency (including DNNSEC adoption and RPKI deployment)
6. Introducing more competition, building consumer trust and choice (including a stable launch of a timely, predictable, reliable new gTLD process)
7. Strategic metrics (to measure performance and ensure project goals are aligned with strategic objectives)
8. General comments on Strategic Plan

Request for Comments

The request for comments page can be found http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/stratplan-2012-29jul11-en.htmon the Public Comment Section of the main ICANN website.

Process

The matter was discussed during the 16 August 2011 ALAC Executive Committee Teleconference.

It was then discussed at length on the 23 August 2011 ALAC Teleconference, when Kurt Pritz was invited to speak to the ALAC. The matter yielded a 30+ minute discussion on this subject.

Finally, it was discussed again on the 25 August 2011 ALAC Executive Committee Teleconference, following-up on the ALAC call.

The following statement was drafted from the recordings and minutes of these calls.

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Proposed Statement from the ALAC

The ALAC is thankful for the opportunity to provide its input about the formulation of the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan.

On the whole the ALAC has seen a significant improvement in the formulation of the plan itself, and is pleased about the early involvement of all of ICANN’s communities. It is therefore supportive in general of the new timetable and the new format. It is definitely supportive of early involvement for our At-Large Community in the overall planning process. That said, it also believes that some improvements are still possible, especially in regards to a few specifics related to the At-Large Community.

Division into sub-categories

Whilst the ALAC appreciates that for the sake of clarity, the plan was divided amongst 7+1 categories, there is a concern that this might restrict input from Advisory Committees such as the ALAC. Indeed, some categories which the ALAC champions, such as Outreach, would not fit in a single category: in this example, it would fit in (3) the multi-stakeholder model, as a foundation piece of the multi-stakeholder model, but it also would fit into item (6) competition and consumer trust. In the case of consumer trust, the ICANN classification appears to point at only the new gTLD process, whilst the ALAC we would be aiming at a much broader view for all of ICANN’s activities, including its structure, processes and actions. For the ALAC, this includes outreach and initiating and funding programs to search for more input from the edges of the multi-stakeholder model, all in the public interest.

Timing

Several of our Regional At-Large Organizations (RALOs) have expressed concerns with regards to timing of the Strategic Plan framework consultations. On the plan itself, the timeline was reassuring when looking at it during the Singapore meeting, since it was scheduled as taking place from July to September. However, when it came down to implementation and for the consultation to take place, the commenting period was instead 29 July to 29 August. In the Asia Pacific region APRALO, this timing took place after the July APRALO meeting and before next APRALO meeting. As a result, input from APRALO was made much harder. In the European EURALO region, the summer period is one traditionally used for lengthy holidays. It would have therefore been more reassuring to have a 40-45 day comment period bearing in mind the lower availability of community members at that period of the year.

Matching of Strategic and Operation plans

Some of our members are concerned that the Strategic Plan displays high level aims for ICANN which the ALAC supports. However, there appears to be a discrepancy between the Strategic Plan and the Operational Plan that follows. In other words, the implementation of the Strategic Plan does not appear to take place, or takes place with significant shortfalls. For example, metrics with regards to globalization, outreach, specifically in developing economies, inclusiveness, diversity etc. Whilst the ALAC understands that ICANN is developing such metrics, it points out that a significant effort will need to be made to track such shortfalls and that corrective action be taken. As the part of ICANN which acts in the best interests of the Internet Users and thanks to its extensive geographic diversity and reach, the ALAC would like to extend its willingness to help locate what these shortfalls are with regards to users and looks forward to continue the dialogue with the Board and with ICANN Lead Staff to help in areas that it would be able to contribute to.

As a conclusion, the ALAC is looking forward to continue its involvement with the Strategic Planning Process but needs to point out that even more work needs to be done to extend the capability of input into the hands of the At-Large Structures and the users in those structures. It is the ability to collect significant input from the edges that will bring real accountability, transparency and legitimacy to the organization as a whole.