[bestbits] Formation of a joint steering Committee - as received

[Jeremy Malcolm]

On 21 Nov 2013, at 10:05 pm, michael gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com> wrote:

> As the host/enabler of the global Community Informatics network which incorporates some 1500+ practitioners, researchers and policy folks concerned with the grassroots use of ICTs I think that I/we should be represented/participating in that Steering Committee and subsequent discussions.
>  
> I see no one else on this steering committee who would effectively present the position of grassroots ICT users and ICT enabled marginalized communities and I feel it necessary to insist that their voices have a chance to be heard in these discussions.
>  
> I believe that our network has as much legitimacy as other members of this steering committee, with rather larger numbers and with significantly broader representation than most.

First, I've suggested that the joint steering committee be termed a joint nomination committee or nomcom, instead - because that's what it is.  As far as I'm aware, there are no proposals that it do anything more than act as a joint civil society nominating body, and only that because of the current circumstances of exigency.  Given how sensitive the term "steering committee" apparently is, it seems for the best to avoid that.

Second, that committee is now considering its own inclusiveness and whether there are other networks, such as your Community Informatics network, that need to be included.  But that won't be a Best Bits decision, so we'll take that off-list - save to request that you send any updates on your development of a decision-making structure for that network to Ian (as the interim chair of the joint committee) or myself (who seems to have been accepted as its liaison for Best Bits).

Third, the first and most pressing decision of the joint committee (apart from constituting itself) is indeed the nomination of an extra civil society member (or indeed two) on the ICANN high level panel.  So far Bill Drake has been strongly supported, and you suggested Eben Moglen.  If anyone wishes the joint committee to consider other possible nominees, please send them through to the list, or directly to me, to pass on.

-- 
Dr Jeremy Malcolm
Senior Policy Officer
Consumers International | the global campaigning voice for consumers
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