[ALSC-Forum] see icann.org

[Esther Dyson]

FYI....  I have not yet had time to read this. the paper pointed to is 109K.

http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-24feb02.htm

Esther

ICANN PRESIDENT RECOMMENDS A ROADMAP FOR REFORM....


Marina del Rey, California USA (24 February 2002) At the ICANN Board of 
Directors retreat held over the weekend of 23 February, President Stuart 
Lynn proposed a sweeping series of structural reforms for ICANN. These 
reforms, designed to lead ICANN towards attainment of its core mission, 
were carefully discussed by the Board. Board directors encouraged Lynn to 
post the proposed reforms for public review and comment.
"The current structure of ICANN was widely recognized as an experiment when 
created three years ago," noted Board Chairman Vint Cerf. "The rapid 
expansion of and increasing global dependence on the Internet have made it 
clear that a new structure is essential if ICANN is to fulfill its mission."
ICANN was formed three years ago as an entirely private global organization 
designed to assume responsibility for the DNS root from the United States 
government and to coordinate technical policy for the Internet's naming and 
address allocation systems. In the new proposals, the basic mission remains 
intact. What changes is the means of achieving that mission.
"What has become clear to me and others is that a purely private 
organization will not work," said Lynn. "The Internet has become too 
important to national economic and social progress. Governments, as the 
representatives of their populations, must participate more directly in 
ICANN's debates and policymaking functions. We must find the right form of 
global public-private partnership - one that combines the agility and 
strength of a private organization with the authority of governments to 
represent the public interest."
Noting that current organizational inertia and obsession with process over 
substance has impeded agility, Lynn laid out a roadmap designed to instill 
confidence in key stakeholders and to ensure that ICANN can be more 
effective. This roadmap entails restructuring the Board of Directors into a 
Board of Trustees composed in part of trustees nominated by those 
governments who participate in the ICANN process; in part by the chairs of 
proposed new "policy councils" that would replace the existing supporting 
organizations and that would provide expert advice; and in part by trustees 
proposed by a broadly-based nominating committee and appointed by the Board 
itself.
The roadmap is designed to bring all critical stakeholders to the table, 
something that has been difficult to achieve with the present structure and 
has slowed ICANN's progress and its ability to fulfill its 
responsibilities. It is also designed to establish a broad-based funding 
mechanism sufficient to support the critical mission of ICANN.
"We need to build a stronger organization, supported by our key 
stakeholders, led by the best team that can be assembled, and properly 
funded," Lynn told the Board at its retreat. "We must be structured to 
function effectively in this fast-paced global Internet environment" "A key 
requirement is to keep the best of the present ICANN," added Cerf, "in 
ensuring transparency, openness, and participation, while creating an ICANN 
that can act responsibly and quickly. That will mean rejecting practices 
that have emphasized process over achievement. Above all, ICANN must be - 
and be seen to be - effective and supportive of technical innovation and of 
a reliable Internet."
A paper written by Lynn that explains the reasons for change and the 
roadmap for reform is posted on the ICANN web site.


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Esther Dyson			Always make new mistakes!
chairman, EDventure Holdings
writer, Release 3.0 (on Website below)
edyson@edventure.com
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