[CCWG-ACCT] Follow-up from the Word Internet Conference in China

Mon Jan 4 05:08:49 UTC 2016

Dear All,

On related point of Internet Principles, please refer question below that I
posed to ICANN Board during the Public Forum in Dublin meeting, and answer
thereof .

*QUESTION:*

ICANN Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2016 – 2020, page 22 mentions that
ICANN encourages all stakeholders to implement the principles endorsed at
NETmundial.

a. Is the endorsement of NETmundial principles, thereby endorsing
definition of each principle, from a bottom up process or by Board decision
or any defined process?

b. And since following well defined principles are core to Internet
operations, whether ICANN, going forward, would consider framing its own
set of Internet Principles through a bottom up process or by adopting any
existing set after community consultation? Why/ Why not?

*ANSWER:*

*The NETmundial principles were created during the Global Multistakeholder
Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance held in São Paulo, Brazil, on
23-24 April 2014. The meeting, organized in a partnership between the
Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br <http://cgi.br/>) and 1/Net,
brought together 1,480 stakeholders from 97 countries. ICANN's leadership,
the ICANN board and the ICANN community were among the participants.*

*The meeting’s non-binding outcome document
<http://netmundial.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/NETmundial-Multistakeholder-Document.pdf>
— produced
through an open, collaborative, bottom-up process and with equal
participation by all stakeholders — contained a shared set of principles
and a roadmap to guide the evolution of Internet cooperation and
governance.*

*The NETmundial principles are not narrowly prescriptive. They are
high-level statements that permeate through the work of any entity that is
interested in preserving and advancing the multistakeholder model of
Internet governance and policymaking. This is particularly the case for a
multistakeholder entity like ICANN.*

*Endorsement for the NETmundial principles implies general support for
their positive contributions to the multisakeholder model. It is not an
endorsement for every word contained in those principles. Each entity shall
exercise its own judgment in determining which principles are most relevant
and how they apply to specific circumstances.*

*With regard to whether ICANN would consider framing its own set of
principles, such an initiative would have to be community-driven. ICANN is
not in a position to unilaterally require the multistakeholder community to
develop any specific principles or guidelines. The ongoing accountability
work through the CCWG-Accountability is one example of such an initiative.
We strongly encourage interested parties to get involved in the CCWG work
and determine whether or not it addresses some of the concerns raised. *

*------------------------*

Should an organization like ICANN define Internet Principles it believes
in, that form core of its operations, than just endorsing NETMundial
principles? I believe it should. It will help set standards and further
enhance accountability. Would like to invite views from members if we
should initiate work on this as part of CCWG Accountability process.

Thanks & Regards,

Rahul Sharma

On 25 December 2015 at 22:14, Phil Corwin <psc at vlaw-dc.com> wrote:

> Really?
>
>
>
> Check these links:
>
> https://espresso.economist.com/c2cc4243fe2575474d57dfe7380fc9ef
>
> The grand title is misleading: the gathering will not celebrate the joys
> of a borderless internet but promote “internet sovereignty”, a web made up
> of sovereign fiefs, gagged by official censors.
>
>
>
>
> http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/12/15/459834560/chinas-internet-forum-may-provide-a-peek-at-its-cyber-ambitions
>
> One important theme, even if it's not stated explicitly, is how
> governments can keep some level of control over the Internet… Hosting the
> meeting is the head of China's Cyberspace Administration, a former
> journalist named Lu Wei… He admitted that China does block some foreign
> websites, but he unapologetically asserted China's right to pick its
> friends and its business partners.
>
> "We do not welcome those who make money from China and occupy our market
> while vilifying us," he said — a pointed reference to online criticism of
> China. "No family likes to invite unfriendly people to be their guests."
>
> China blocks many websites without which the Internet would be
> unimaginable in the West — including Twitter, Facebook, The New York
> Times and YouTube — because the government cannot control their content….
>
>
>
>
> http://www.techpolicydaily.com/technology/china-internet-governance/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=paramount&utm_campaign=cict
>
> At the summit, China’s President Xi Jinping sent clear signals that China
> plans to continue to control its Internet borders, and called upon
> neighboring countries to support the right to do so. President Xi called
> for “cyber sovereignty,” advocating that individual countries should have
> the right to choose how and when to regulate the Internet inside their
> physical borders without interference by other governments. He outlined a
> digital future in which governments could set online standards and
> challenge the free flow of information and content across borders… In the
> eyes of the Chinese government, this type of “cyber sovereignty” trumps
> free expression for individuals…
>
> * In his speech, President Xi called on governments to come together to
> agree on guiding principles for Internet governance, and only involving the
> non-governmental parts of today’s Internet community once these principles
> are already solidified….*
>
> *China’s government-led approach to Internet governance is in direct
> conflict with today’s multi-stakeholder model, where all constituents of
> the online world – including NGOs, academia, the private sector, and
> technical experts – have seats at the table.*
>
>
>
> Now some may respond that those are biased western views. So here’s the
> official Chinese perspective, from two editorials that ran in China Voice
> during WIC:
>
> http://www.wuzhenwic.org/2015-12/16/c_47759.htm
>
> The achievements partly rely on China's constant resolution to uphold
> cyber-sovereignty - an individual country's right to choose its own
> Internet regulation model - which biased Western critics decry as negating
> the open nature of the Internet… *Cyber-sovereignty is also key to the
> reform of the global Internet governance system where existing rules
> "hardly reflect the desires and interests of a majority of countries."*
>
> With its distinct competitive edges in information technology, the U.S.
> has turned its tenet of "unilateral globalism" into the ugly "global
> unilateralism" to build a cyberspace governance system that is far from
> being fair and just.
>
> *That's why Xi called for a reform of international cyberspace governance
> to one that features a multilateral approach* with multi-party
> participation rather than "one party calling the shots."
>
>
>
> http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-12/17/c_134927991.htm
>
> Discussion of sovereignty over the Internet has long been a taboo,
> dismissed in Western media as violation of freedom… With so much
> discussion on the need to better guard cyber sovereignty and security, the
> criticisms of China's cyberspace sovereignty by media are irresponsible.
>
> Some Western media or tech firms are not allowed in China because they are
> not willing to abide by Chinese laws. As a result, they may seize the World
> Internet Conference as another opportunity to show their grudges… The
> increasing number of users and the expanding market is the best evidence
> that China's policies are working. *Temporary measures to regulate
> cyberspace security will be meliorated and institutionalized in the future,
> regardless of wrong accusations from the outside*.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> All my research indicates that the goals of WIC are to advance an agenda
> encompassing a multilateral model of Internet Governance and gain
> international blessing for a concept of cyber sovereignty that encompasses
> pervasive state surveillance and censorship.
>
>
>
> Fadi may advocate for the MSM within that context, but it’s likely to be
> about as effective as preaching sobriety in a saloon.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Philip S. Corwin, Founding Principal*
>
> *Virtualaw LLC*
>
> *1155 F Street, NW*
>
> *Suite 1050*
>
> *Washington, DC 20004*
>
> *202-559-8597/Direct*
>
> *202-559-8750/Fax*
>
> *202-255-6172/cell*
>
>
>
> *Twitter: @VlawDC*
>
>
>
> *"Luck is the residue of design" -- Branch Rickey*
>
>
>
> *From:* Tijani BEN JEMAA [mailto:tijani.benjemaa at benjemaa.com]
> *Sent:* Friday, December 25, 2015 11:12 AM
> *To:* farzaneh badii
> *Cc:* Phil Corwin; avri at acm.org; accountability-cross-community at icann.org
>
> *Subject:* Re: [CCWG-ACCT] Follow-up from the Word Internet Conference in
> China
>
>
>
> I do agree with Avri. Fadi would never accept anything that leads to an
> intergovernmental Internet Governance; at the contrary, I think it is a way
> to reinforce the MSM in the advisory committee, and in the World Internet
> Conference.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------
> --------------------------------------
>
> *Tijani BEN JEMAA*
>
> Directeur Exécutif
>
> Fédération Méditerranéenne des associations d'Internet (*FMAI*)
>
> Phone: +216 98 330 114
>
>              +216 52 385 114
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
> Le 25 déc. 2015 à 03:01, farzaneh badii <farzaneh.badii at gmail.com> a
> écrit :
>
>
>
> I agree Phil. I think as well as global public interest, we should  define
> personal capacity. I don't really think decision makers that have a
> prominent role in influencing people's views about the organization can do
> anything that is related to Internet governance and argue that it was in
> their personal capacity. the line is blurry, people get confused as
> everyone got confused in this occasion.
>
>
>
> On 25 December 2015 at 02:10, Phil Corwin <psc at vlaw-dc.com> wrote:
>
> Avri:
>
> I don't think this is a crisis, but it is a matter of judgment.
>
> Fadi was in Wuzhen on ICANN's dime. The Chinese press announcement of his
> Co-Chair role prominently touts his ICANN affiliation and thereby
> associates ICANN with the WIC. The WIC's objectives raises substantial
> questions about whether it is compatible with the MSM. And his post-ICANN
> role with a Chinese initiative that appears to favor multilateral IG may
> raise questions in Washington that could complicate lifting the freeze on
> the IANA transition.
>
> If I were a senior staff person I would want to give my Board advance
> notice of such a decision prior to its public announcement. But others may
> have a different POV.
>
> And with that, I shall stop and simply add -- Happy Holidays!
>
> Best, Philip
>
> Philip S. Corwin, Founding Principal
> Virtualaw LLC
> 1155 F Street, NW
> Suite 1050
> Washington, DC 20004
> 202-559-8597/Direct
> 202-559-8750/Fax
> 202-255-6172/cell
>
> Twitter: @VlawDC
>
> "Luck is the residue of design" -- Branch Rickey
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accountability-cross-community-bounces at icann.org [mailto:
> accountability-cross-community-bounces at icann.org] On Behalf Of Avri Doria
> Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2015 7:47 PM
> To: accountability-cross-community at icann.org
>
> Subject: Re: [CCWG-ACCT] Follow-up from the Word Internet Conference in
> China
>
> Hi,
>
> I do not understand the crisis over this decision.  The guy took a
> volunteer position, why does the Board need to approve that or even be
> notified in advance.  If it really bugs them, they can tell him to give it
> up or leave sooner.  But why should they care?  Is there some extraordinary
> expense to ICANN in this role?  Or does it just not fit into an
> isolationist position many are taking toward ICANN participation in the
> larger Internet governance environment.
>
> Are we tending a bit much toward micromanagement of the CEO?  I have never
> been one of his fans, but this seems a bit much to make an issue over.
>
> avri
>
>
> On 24-Dec-15 09:47, Phil Corwin wrote:
> > Bruce:
> >
> > >From your email it appears that the Board was briefed by Fadi on his
> role as Co-Chair of the Advisory Committee after it was publicly announced
> that he had accepted the position, indicating that the Board was not
> advised in advance of his decision to accept the role.
> >
> > Is that a correct interpretation of the sequence of events?
> >
> > Thank you and best regards,
> > Philip
> >
> > Philip S. Corwin, Founding Principal
> > Virtualaw LLC
> > 1155 F Street, NW
> > Suite 1050
> > Washington, DC 20004
> > 202-559-8597/Direct
> > 202-559-8750/Fax
> > 202-255-6172/cell
> >
> > Twitter: @VlawDC
> >
> > "Luck is the residue of design" -- Branch Rickey
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: accountability-cross-community-bounces at icann.org
> > [mailto:accountability-cross-community-bounces at icann.org] On Behalf Of
> > Bruce Tonkin
> > Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2015 6:07 AM
> > To: accountability-cross-community at icann.org
> > Subject: [CCWG-ACCT] Follow-up from the Word Internet Conference in
> > China
> >
> >
> > Hello All,
> >
> > I have had a few requests for information on ICANN's participation in
> > the World Internet Conference which was held in Wuzhen, China:
> > http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/cnleaders/2015WIC/ and
> > http://www.wicwuzhen.cn/english
> >
> > ICANN sent a contingent to the conference as part of its Strategic Goal
> 1.2 "Bring ICANN to the world by creating a balanced and proactive approach
> to regional engagement with stakeholders."
> >
> > Fadi attended as CEO and gave a speech, and George Sadowsky attended as
> a Board member.
> >
> > Subsequent to the conference, the conference organizers announced that
> Fadi would co-chair a high level advisory committee for the next conference.
> >
> > http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-12/18/c_134928240.htm
> >
> > The Board had a call with Fadi to get a briefing.
> >
> > Fadi has now posted a blog that notes that he has accepted this role in
> his personal capacity, and the advisory committee will meet after his term
> as CEO is completed in March 2016.
> >
> > See:
> > https://www.icann.org/news/blog/my-transition-from-icann-ceo-an-update
> >
> > Regards,
> > Bruce Tonkin
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> --
>
> Farzaneh
>
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