[governance] DMP} Statement on Process and Objectives for the Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance

Sat Nov 30 08:14:14 EST 2013

Dear all,

Finding an appropriate term is something that is an ongoing difficulty for
the reasons detailed in this thread. And the ICANN community, staff and
board are regularly struggling with this. The current consultations for the
Strategic Plan illustrate it.

In this context, Milton rightly highlights the ambiguity when discussing
"ICANN's internationalization". There are different complementary
dimensions behind this word, and it is important to distinguish them. I see
at least the following three aspects:

   1. *The Organization's physical presence and outreach*: this includes
   the current opening of hubs in Singapore and Istanbul, the creation of
   additional engagement offices, the role of the "regional" VPs, the
   development of multilingualism, etc... Generally speaking this is about
   ICANN moving closer to the people it serves, rather than having one core
   site of operations and asking people to just come to its meetings. In a
   nutshell, this is about ICANN thinking internationally.
   2. *The incorporation of the organization in one particular country *(US
   in the State of California) and submission to one national legal regime vs
   exploring possible alternatives, such as: specific immunities, another
   country with specific regime for international non-profit organizations
   (cf. the report mentioned by Nick), or a more international status (INGO as
   Michael suggested) ... As mentioned by Karl, there are difficult legal and
   practical questions and this is why this has not necessarily moved much
   until now. Furthermore, ICANN had many other fish to fry in the last years,
   including improving its own operational capacity and the management of the
   new gTLD program. ICANN is performing a global public interest function, is
   therefore a global organization in that regard, even if the current
   international system does not easily (if at all) allow to create global
   structures that are not intergovernmental.
   3. Last but not least,  the term "ICANN's internationalization" also
   includes, as Milton noted, the question of *the role of the US
   administration in the IANA process*. This itself actually covers two
   dimensions: the fact that the IANA contract giving ICANN the responsibility
   for the clerical verification of the requests for changes in the root zone
   file is still issued by the US government AND the specific role of the US
   NTIA in the final transmission of the change to Verisign. This is now less
   a taboo for discussion since the Montevideo Declaration, which is good, and
   I am deeply convinced there are ways to address this issue in a fact-based
   and constructive manner. That being said, the important part is more about
   the internationalization of NTIA's role in the IANA workflow than the
   internationalization of ICANN itself. And the solution for that - even if
   we use the term "internationalization" - is not a sort of Digital Security
   Council. Innovation is needed here if we collectively want to move to a
   system that guarantees for ALL actors the integrity of the root zone file,
   ensuring that no one, voluntarily or involuntarily, can tamper with the
   root.

Maybe different words could be used for these different dimensions.

I hope this helps.

Bests

Bertrand

On Sat, Nov 30, 2013 at 4:37 AM, Milton L Mueller <mueller at syr.edu> wrote:

>  I like these distinctions and I think they are valid. However all three
> definitions overlook one of the most important aspects of the globalization
> or transnationalization of ICANN: the removal of the source of authority
> from a single national government and the linkage of its authority over the
> DNS root zone file to a global polity.
>
>
>
> --MM
>
>
>
> *From:* Jean-Christophe NOTHIAS I The Global Journal [mailto:
> jc.nothias at theglobaljournal.net]
> *Sent:* Friday, November 29, 2013 3:52 PM
> *To:* Norbert Bollow; Milton L Mueller
> *Cc:* governance at lists.igcaucus.org
>
> *Subject:* Re: [governance] DMP} Statement on Process and Objectives for
> the Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance
>
>
>
> Dear Norbert, Dear Milton,
>
>
>
> If I may contribute, with a somehow different and unusual perspective, and
> in my humble Global Governance observer capacity,  for the pleasure of the
> reflection:
>
>
>
> *Internationalization*: one wants to have a larger international basis:
> more offices, more representatives, more of a network of local branches
> that, being put together, creates an international network. Still each
> element is mostly comparable to the starting point in terms of culture,
> thinking... Clones spread around the world? 'One for all' kind of
> uniformity. *Meaning many little ICANNs all around. *
>
>
>
> *Globalization*: this could happen without a network of offices around
> the world. You can observe a very globalized entity containing so many
> different elements, co-exisiting, still assembling one strong outlet with a
> governance of its own, but embracing 'solutions' that could fit more than
> one single corporation, institution, nation. One voice, many voices... in a
> single global body. So one ICANN speaking from one point to the many in a
> global manner of thinking.
>
> *Meaning one ICANN with a big global mind.*
>
>
>
> *Transnationalization*: this tends to establish a community of people
> based in various locations, trying to forget about their local identity,
> interest or belonging, with the objective to address a more common,
> regional, transnational, trans-sectorial issue. A way to achieve an
> understanding of global magnitude.
>
> *Meaning one ICANN talking to other minds.*
>
>
>
>
>
> - The first option has a few advantages. You keep a greater control over
> the network, and at the end of the day, you can pretend to be a global
> minded outlet. Good communication value.
>
> - The second option is probably the most difficult to achieve, specially
> if you are not starting from a fully independent culture. Very challenging
> when one starts from a private or national basis.
>
> - The third option might be a good compromise, if each one puts trust in
> the other minds ('nods'?). But maybe a more sustainable approach, and
> ultimately, one that could deliver a true global minded system.
>
>
>
> Obviously, very much to be criticized, but at least worth trying to
> explore. And quiet appropriate with the current state of the IG debate.
>
>
>
> Semantic has a lasting effect over the narrative and the ultimate
> objective. A little bit like 'multistakeholder' which has emerged from the
> corporate jargon (to soften counter forces or opponents, executives would
> convene 'stakeholders' to the table for consultation (trade union,
> politician...). A pure communication tool. Plus, it has a very poor stable
> definition and understanding, and an even looser legal impact. Something
> that usually brings a lot of misunderstandings, deadlocks...
>
>
>
> All the best,
>
> __________________________
>
> Jean-Christophe Nothias
> Editor in Chief
> jc.nothias at theglobaljournal.net
>
> @jc_nothias
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Le 29 nov. 2013 à 20:52, Norbert Bollow a écrit :
>
>
>
>   Am Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:28:57 +0000
> schrieb Milton L Mueller <mueller at syr.edu>:
>
>
>  Recognizing that this is a late intervention (Thursday a big family
>
>  holiday in the US), is it possible to replace the word
>
>  "internationalization" with "globalization"? Increasingly we live in
>
>  a world where nations, and by extension the "inter-national" is not
>
>  an adequate term to define transborder, global phenomena
>
>
> That's IMO a very valid point. Even though nation states and their
> governments of course continue to have a significant role, it has
> certainly become inadequate to try to understand transborder, global
> phenomena by the method (that was helpful in earlier times) of
> decomposing into what is happening at the national level plus what is
> happening in inter-national trade and other areas of inter-national
> relations.
>
> On the other hand, many civil society people including myself are very
> wary of the term "globalization", as globalization has often increased
> social injustices while doing nothing to resolve the kinds of concerns
> that the further "internationalization" of ICANN is intended to address.
>
> Maybe yet another term could be used???
>
> Greetings,
> Norbert
>
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-- 
____________________
Bertrand de La Chapelle
Internet & Jurisdiction Project Director, International Diplomatic Academy (
www.internetjurisdiction.net)
Former Member, ICANN Board of Directors
Tel : +33 (0)6 11 88 33 32

"Le plus beau métier des hommes, c'est d'unir les hommes" Antoine de Saint
Exupéry
("there is no greater mission for humans than uniting humans")
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