<div>Dear Milton,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Congratulations to you, Jeanette, Hans, Lee and Derrick for the remarkable IGP paper. Timely, clear, balanced and, IMHO, pointing in the right direction, namely the creation of a multi-stakeholder framework for ICANN. (On a side note, when I mentionned in a previous mail that there is no need in the ICANN framework for more than involving governments as peers, I did not overlook the existence of the present oversight, I was merely pointing to the ideal objective in the future, exactly the one you indicate.)
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I fully support the distinction between narrow and broad dimensions and it should be taken into account in the resumed PrepCom3 as a way to avoid deadlock - or maybe to cope with a possible governmental deadlock (ie setting a separate track for the reform of the ICANN MoU and the establishment of a broader policy issues debate space).
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I terms of process, the WSIS has demonstrated that the UN framework is not able to address the future of ICANN in a truly multi-stakeholder format. But the alternative (addressing the reform of ICANN within the existing ICANN framework itself) is not likely to be working either. Therefore, a specific multi-stakeholder process should take place in 2006 to reform the MoU as you indicate, including through a RFC-type mechanism involving all actors - including governments. Such a specific process must be launched now, and it can only be done by civil society.
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>How can we move forward on that idea ? </div>
<div> </div>
<div>1) <strong>Finding a mobilizing formulation for the overall goal/campaign</strong>. "Status quo minus" and "de-nationalizing" ICANN are accurate but maybe not mobilizing enough. Inspiration can come from the Landmines Treaty Campaign or the Coalition of the International Criminal Court.
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In our case, what would be an appropriate formulation ? Some initiatl food for thought : "Towards a truly multi-stakeholder ICANN" ? "ICANN 2007" or even ICANN 2010 (to imply the notion of a transition period) ? ICANN
2.0 ? Internet Commission for Assigned Names and Numbers ? Coalition for the Reform of ICANN ? Internet Governance 2010 ? Internet Governance Framework 2010 ? </div>
<div> </div>
<div>I just jotted down the above formulations for my own thinking. What came out of it spontaneously is :</div>
<div>- the likely interest of a date, to indicate it is a process, and there may be a transition (even if 2010 is a little far away)</div>
<div>- there is a choice between mentionning only ICANN (benefit of being focused but less visibily in the general public) and mentionning Internet Governance (now broadly visible in the general public but maybe too large)
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I personnaly would favor "Internet Governance 2010" or "ICANN 2010" as being simple, easy to understand and not prejudging too much the actual outcome, allowing for a broader range of participants to get involved. A closer date (2007 or 2008 for instance) is also possible.
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>2) <strong>Drafting of a one-page "manifesto"</strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>This could be created on the basis of the discussions in the IG Caucus list, the various statements already prepared, Vittorio's effort and your paper. It would not get too much in the details of the solution but could be structured along the following elements (preliminary draft structure) :
</div>
<ul dir="ltr" style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<ul>
<li>the wrong angle of the debate within WSIS - which is the resaon for its deadlock</li>
<li>the need to move beyond the present structure of ICANN (maintaining the status quo is not possible)</li>
<li>the general goal of establishing a truly multi-stakeholder framework for the management of Internet Resources, based on a limited set of principles </li>
<li>the proposed process to conduct a broad MS consultation in 2006, with the objective of producing, by summer 2006, a proposal for reform of the ICANN MoU in the form of a "Green Paper" (or other form)</li>
<li>the willingness of actors (IGP, CPSR, APC, IG Caucus members, others ?) to facilitate this process </li>
<li>a call to other actors sharing this objective, including governments and the private sector to fully participate and facilitate this exercise</li></ul></ul>
<div> </div>
<div>3) <strong>Creating a facilitation group</strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the basis of previous discussions on the governance list, and particularly Willie's suggestion of a "citizen's commission", could we move forward on that, set up a facilitation group (could it be multi-stakeholder ?), look for possible funding and approach some other stakeholders that could be interested.
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Online tools (dedicated website, forums, collaborative instruments) would be put in place to support the initiative.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The CPSR panel in Tunis on November 16th (11 am to 1 pm) could be an opportunity to announce such an initiative. It would ideally be supported immediately by some actors previously approached. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>A meeting of possible facilitators could take place in early 2006. </div>
<div>___________</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Some might propose to use the Forum to do this. But I am not sure it would be the most appropriate way, as it seems more adapted to the broad policy issues discussion. In any case, should it be finally decided in Tunis, it will take time to put in place and could be a space to report the results of the above effort.
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Given the situation governments, particularly thanks to the position of the US government, have painted themselves into, CS is in an ideal position to take the initiative and Tunis is the right moment to do so. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>My two cents. Hope this helps.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Best</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Bertrand</div>
<div> </div>
<div><br><br> </div>
<div><span class="gmail_quote">On 11/1/05, <b class="gmail_sendername">Milton Mueller</b> <<a href="mailto:Mueller@syr.edu">Mueller@syr.edu</a>> wrote:</span>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid">=================<br>Political Oversight of ICANN<br>=================<br><br>The Internet Governance Project releases a new paper clarifying the
<br>controversies around "oversight" of ICANN.<br><br><a href="http://dcc.syr.edu/miscarticles/Political-Oversight.pdf">http://dcc.syr.edu/miscarticles/Political-Oversight.pdf</a><br><br>We explain why WSIS must separate discussion of governments' role in
<br>setting policy for all Internet issues from discussion of the narrower<br>problem of ICANN's oversight.<br><br>An analysis of the contractual instruments used by the U.S. to<br>supervise ICANN shows how the problem of
U.S. unilateral oversight can<br>be addressed in a way that is both politically feasible and avoids<br>threatening the stability or freedom of the Internet.<br><br>The paper can be downloaded here:<br><a href="http://dcc.syr.edu/miscarticles/Political-Oversight.pdf">
http://dcc.syr.edu/miscarticles/Political-Oversight.pdf</a><br><br><a href="http://www.internetgovernance.org">www.internetgovernance.org</a><br><br><br>_______________________________________________<br>governance mailing list
<br><a href="mailto:governance@lists.cpsr.org">governance@lists.cpsr.org</a><br><a href="https://ssl.cpsr.org/mailman/listinfo/governance">https://ssl.cpsr.org/mailman/listinfo/governance</a><br></blockquote></div><br>