Background

In May 2022, the APF Fireside Chat was introduced as new initiative of the APRALO Policy Forum aimed at allowing it to vary its modus operandi to attain the following goals and within set parameters:

• To simplify engagement for/by APRALO members;
• To allow for ease of understanding of policy issues and deliberations undertaken by the At-Large community;
• To increase opportunities for discussion of those policy issues; and
• By supporting the activities within the At-Large Consolidated Policy Working Group (CWPG) while avoiding duplication of such efforts.

Further, the APF Fireside Chat:

• Can be an avenue for APRALO members to take up organising or speaking roles, allowing for wider participation in producing events under the APF banner; and
• In their recorded form, can be added to the APF’s pool of knowledge resources, much like the way the At-Large has contributed resources to ICANN Learn  

Format

In order to simplify the intended engagement, to allow for ease of understanding of selected policy issues, and to increase opportunities for discussion of those issues, the APF Fireside Chat:

• Must be informal, incorporating an easy-going conversation between (ideally not more than) 2 people, being a moderator and a guest (respectively, “the Moderator” and “the Guest”)
• Should ideally run for 45 minutes but not more than 60 minutes
• Must envisage and introduce the subject matter at a basic level, highlighting a small number of key concepts or problems and how they might impact either (i) the interests of individual internet end users, or (ii) the work of the ALAC and/or the At-Large Community (“the Narrative”)
• Should focus on the Narrative but still allowing for spontaneous responses / reactions between the Moderator and the Guest
• Should envisage and encourage participation from audience / participants through consideration of, where relevant, pre-submitted questions or off-the-floor comments and/or questions
• Must not take on a seminar/webinar-type nature, therefore use of any form of conventional handouts/projection of slides is strongly discouraged
• Should be seen, as far as possible, as an opportunity for participants to interact with the Guest, notwithstanding in a lightly moderated fashion

Identified Topics

These topics were identified for these chats in 2022 and 2023.

Volunteers, Suggestions Welcomed!

 The APF welcomes volunteers to help with the production of Fireside Chats. Suggestions are also welcomed on topics, moderators and guest speakers. Please contact At-Large Staff who can put you in touch with the 2022 Program Lead, Justine Chew.