[governance] IMPORTANT: Work Continues to Increase Developing Economies' Participation in the New gTLD Program
Tracy F. Hackshaw @ Google
tracyhackshaw at gmail.com
Fri Oct 14 11:41:57 EDT 2011
(Apologies for cross-posting)
From: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-13oct11-en.htm
Work Continues to Increase Developing Economies Participation in the New
gTLD Program Comment Period Deadlines (*) Important Information Links Public
Comment Box<http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/jas-final-report-13oct11-en.htm>
*Open Date:* 13 October 2011 To Submit Your Comments
(Forum)<jas-final-report at icann.org>
*Close Date:* 16 December 2011 *Time (UTC):* 23:59 View Comments
Submitted<http://forum.icann.org/lists/jas-final-report/>
*Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose*
A message from the JAS WG:
Public comment is requested concerning the Joint Applicant Support *Final
Report* <http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-en.pdf> [PDF,
503 KB] which deals with a very important issue: *How can ICANN assist
applicants from developing economies increase their participation in the new
generic Top-Level Domain (New gTLD) Program? *Comments will be received
until December 16 2011.
The Final Report is the last step of the work done by the Joint Applicant
Support Working Group (JAS WG). The group is represented by ICANN community
members from around the world that have been working together on this
initiative since April 2010. The Report offers recommendations on how ICANN
should develop a sustainable approach to providing support to applicants
from developing economies requiring assistance in applying for and operating
new gTLDs Registries under the New gTLD Program. The Report proposes initial
criteria for qualification as well as several other types of support for
ICANN to consider. It has been approved by ALAC and the GNSO, the chartering
organizations.
Translations of the Final
Report<http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-en.pdf>
[PDF,
503 KB]:
- Español <http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-es.pdf>
[PDF,
513 KB]
- Français <http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-fr.pdf>
[PDF,
570 KB]
*Section II: Background*
Below are some basic aspects of this work.
*This proposal is currently under consideration by ICANN community, Board
and Staff. A Program is under development and further details will be made
available on ICANN's website to the general public.*
The JAS WG was formed following a
Resolution<http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-12mar10-en.htm>
from
ICANN Board of Directors in Nairobi, on March 2010 that asked ICANN's
stakeholder community *"...to develop a sustainable approach to providing
support to applicants requiring assistance in applying for and operating new
gTLDs."*
1. What is this all about? What is a Final Report?
The Final Report is a document produced by the JAS WG that offers
recommendations on how ICANN should develop a sustainable approach to
providing support to applicants from developing economies requiring
assistance in applying for and operating new gTLDs Registries. The Final
Report proposes initial criteria for qualification as well as several other
types of support for ICANN to consider. It has been approved by the GNSO and
ALAC, the chartering organizations.
This initiative is related to the New gTLD Program, which in the near
future will allow entities from around the world to apply for a new generic
top-level domain (new gTLD). The applicants passing the evaluation process
will sign a contract with ICANN and run a Registry.
2. Who is being considered to receive support?
Once the new gTLD applicant interested in receiving support has
demonstrated "service to the public interest," "financial capabilities and
need," one or more of the following characteristics apply:
- Support by and/or for distinct cultural, linguistic and ethnic
communities;
- Service in an under-served language, the presence of which on the
Internet has been limited;
- Operation in a developing economy in a manner that provides genuine
local social benefit;
- Advocated by non-profit, civil society and non-governmental
organizations in a manner consistent with the organizations'
social service
mission(s); and
- Operation by a local entrepreneur(s), providing demonstrable social
benefit in those geographic areas where market constraints make normal
business operations more difficult.
The Final Report also recommends that it instead use the internationally
agreed-upon UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs list:
- Least Developed Countries: category 199;
- Landlocked Developing Countries: category 432;
- Small Island Developing States: category 722;
- Indigenous Peoples, as described in Article 1 of Convention No. 169
of the International Labour Organization and the UN Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples.All applicants will be expected give a
self-declaration that they are eligible to receive support under these
criteria.
3. Who does NOT qualify for support?
According to the JAS WG, the application must NOT have any of the
following characteristics:
- An applicant for a gTLD string that is not a generic word intended to
reference a specific commercial entity (commonly referred to
within ICANN as
a "dot-brand");
- A governmental or para-statal institution;
- A gTLD string that is a geographic name or is based on one;
- Affiliated with sponsors or partners that are bankrupt or under
bankruptcy protection;
- Affiliated with sponsors or partners that are the subject of
litigation or criminal investigation;
- Incapable of meeting any of the Applicant Guidebook's due diligence
procedures.
4. Who benefits from this? Why is it important?
We all benefit from this initiative. The Internet belongs to all as well
as the responsibility to look into effective ways to reduce the Digital
Divide, in this particular case, by delivering a sustainable and critical
support for applicants from developing economies and looking for a solution
not only at the application phase but also through to the initial years of
these new Registry operators.
It is important because the Internet is a virtual real estate that
belongs to everyone. Entities from around the world should be able to
increase their participation in the top-level expansion. The Working Group
also stresses it is important not only to increase participation from
developing economies, but also to increase the likelihood of success by
these new participants that will be delivering Domain Name Services (DNS).
The current New gTLD Program, as designed, has an evaluation (and several
other fees) that are considered high for a significant number of potential
participants from around the world. Besides the issue of high fees, the
program is in English only and has an evaluation process with criteria and
requirements that are quite complex to navigate.
5. What kind of assistance in being considered?
The Final Report proposes a full array of financial and non-financial
support to be offered to applicants that meet the established criteria.
The support should be available in the first and all subsequent rounds of
new gTLD applications.
Currently ICANN has launched an online work space dedicated to connect
potential applicants from developing regions who wish to apply for a New
gTLD in their community with organizations who wish to offer either
financial or non-financial assistance. See details on how this space works
here:http://newgtlds.icann.org/applicants/candidate-support
6. Who is part of this Working Group?
The JAS WG is comprised of highly respected and experienced volunteers
from the Supporting Organization and the Advisory Committee. This
all-volunteer group teleconferences twice each week, and works through a
Wiki and mailing lists. These active contributors are located in Australia,
Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, North America and the Caribbean.
*Section III: Document and Resource Links*
Relevant Resolutions and previous Public Comment Forum:
- Information about the New gTLD
Program<http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm>
- http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-12mar10-en.htm#20
- http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-25sep10-en.htm#2.2
- http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-28oct10-en.htm
- http://gnso.icann.org/resolutions/#201004
- First Milestone Report Public
Forum<http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201012-en.htm#jas-milestone-report>
-
http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/second-milestone-report-10jun11-en.htm
Archive regarding the WG activities:
- E-mail: soac-newgtldapsup-wg at icann.org
- Wiki:
https://community.icann.org/display/jaswg/SO-AC+New+gTLD+Applicant+Support+Working+Group+%28JAS-WG%29
*Section IV: Additional Information*
The JAS WG will hold a session during the upcoming ICANN Dakar
Meeting<http://dakar42.icann.org/full-schedule> to
both explain the Final Report and receive additional community feedback.
This session will have remote participation for the people not able to
attend in person.
The JAS WG recently held a webinar about the Final Report. The webinar has
been recorded and is available in English, French and Spanish. See
recordings here <http://gnso.icann.org/calendar/#sep>.
*Staff Contact:* Karla Valente *Email:*
karla.valente at icann.org<karla.valente at icann.org?subject=More%20information%20on%20the%20Work%20Continues%20to%20Increase%20Developing%20Economies%20Participation%20in%20the%20New%20gTLD%20Program%20public%20comment%20period>
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