<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif;font-size:small">Dear all,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif;font-size:small">Thank you for this. I have a slightly related question.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif;font-size:small"><a href="http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121024_is_icann_stumbling_forward_gac_advice/">This</a> article, takes the instance of the GAC Toronto Communique and claims that the GAC is moving towards a 'layered system' for its formal interactions with the Board. GAC's advice then is either in the form of 'GAC encouragement, GAC request or GAC advice.' This would indicate varying degrees of emphasis in GAC's advice on separate issues.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif;font-size:small">My question is, has the GAC ever come to a formal/informal understanding on this? If this has been recorded anywhere, I'd really appreciate being directed to it.</div><div class="gmail_extra"><br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',sans-serif;font-size:small">warmly,</div><br clear="all"><div><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2"><br></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2">-----------------------</font></div><div dir="ltr"><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2">Bedavyasa Mohanty</font><div><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2"><i>Junior Fellow</i></font></div><div><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2">Observer Research Foundation</font></div><div><div><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2">20, Rouse Avenue</font></div><div><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2">New Delhi 110 002</font></div></div><div><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2"><a href="http://www.orfonline.org/" style="line-height:18px;text-align:justify" target="_blank">www.orfonline.org</a><br></font></div><div><span style="line-height:18px;text-align:justify"><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2">Tel: +91-11-43520020 (Ext. 2195)<br></font></span></div><div><span style="line-height:18px;text-align:justify"><font face="georgia, serif" color="#444444" size="2">Encrypted email: <a href="mailto:bedavyasa@protonmail.com" target="_blank">bedavyasa@protonmail.com</a><br></font></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 1:36 PM, <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch" target="_blank">Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div lang="DE-CH" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Dear all,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">It is always useful to have a look at our governing docs, for instance the GAC OP (attached) and the following extract:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">“3.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">ICANN’s decision making should take into account public policy objectives including, among other things:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">• secure, reliable and affordable functioning of the Internet, including uninterrupted service and universal connectivity;<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">• the robust development of the Internet, in the interest of the public good, for government, private, educational, and
commercial purposes, world wide;<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">• transparency and non--‐discriminatory practices in ICANN’s role in the allocation of Internet names and address;<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">• effective competition at all appropriate levels of activity and conditions for fair competition, which will bring benefits
to all categories of users including, greater choice, lower prices, and better services;<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">• fair information practices, including respect for personal privacy and issues of consumer concern;<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">and<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">• freedom of expression.”<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Regards<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Jorge
<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #e1e1e1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="DE" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Von:</span></b><span lang="DE" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> <a href="mailto:accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org" target="_blank">accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org" target="_blank">accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org</a>]
<b>Im Auftrag von </b>Bruce Tonkin<br>
<b>Gesendet:</b> Freitag, 30. Oktober 2015 07:15<br>
<b>An:</b> Tracy F. Hackshaw @ Google <<a href="mailto:tracyhackshaw@gmail.com" target="_blank">tracyhackshaw@gmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:accountability-cross-community@icann.org" target="_blank">accountability-cross-community@icann.org</a><br>
<b>Betreff:</b> Re: [CCWG-ACCT] Definition of public policy advice from the GAC<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
</div><div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks Tracy this is very helpful.<br>
<br>
Sent from my iPhone<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>
On 30 Oct 2015, at 11:36 AM, Tracy F. Hackshaw @ Google <<a href="mailto:tracyhackshaw@gmail.com" target="_blank">tracyhackshaw@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Bruce, <u></u><u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">While I can't speak for the GAC on this, as a GAC member, and as a former student of the topic, I can provide my understanding based on my role in my country's Government if that might be helpful.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my country, and in many parts of the world, the term, Public Policy is not used. In many countries (as in mine) Public Policy = National Policy.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Public or National Policy <b><u>IS NOT EQUIVALENT</u></b> to National Law, however, it is the key and normally most critical <b><u>precursor</u></b> to the development of legislation in the Government law making process. If we were to stretch
the concept somewhat, we can say that National Law (when promulgated) forms a key element - but still a subset - of Public or National Policy.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">In summary and simply, Public or National Policy is a Government's statement of direction - usually with clearly stated objectives and deliverables - on a particular area or series of areas - that is intended to be reflective of that country's
(citizens') norms, attitudes, cultures and values; and further, to be implemented (and regulated and enforced, where applicable) by a country's various institutions primarily consisting of the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. As a rule of thumb,
National Policies should be developed through extensive consultation with a country's stakeholders over a significant period of time and several iterations of National Policy are to be expected before becoming "final" (and potentially leading to legislation).
In other cases, National Policy is time limited and subject to periodic cycles of consultative redrafting and review - with potential attendant changes to related laws and regulations.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Public or National Policy is intended to be reflective of, and protective of, what has often been termed as the "Public Interest".<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, the above leads to the obvious issue - in the GAC, given that there are now over 150 members, what is/can be considered "public policy" advice?<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will appreciate therefore the delicate and deliberate efforts at consensus building in the GAC in issuing "public policy" advice.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rgds,<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tracy Hackshaw<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 29 October 2015 at 18:23, Bruce Tonkin <<a href="mailto:Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au" target="_blank">Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0cm">
<p class="MsoNormal">To the GAC members on this list,<br>
<br>
I note that in the bylaws the GAC has a role in providing "public policy" advice to ICANN.<br>
<br>
Does the GAC have a working definition of what this means? Is there a UN standard definition of some sort?<br>
<br>
and I must admit I have never fully understand the term.<br>
<br>
I had originally expected that the GAC would provide advice on national laws and international treaties as it relates to ICANN.<br>
<br>
I can understand that each country may have "policies" that are perhaps written documents and may vary by which government is in power at the time. E.g. a national government may have a written immigration policy or a foreign trade policy etc. These policies
presumably have been approved by one or more Government ministers, and would generally be public.<br>
<br>
Not sure how the GAC provides advice on "public policy" - should there be some sort of written national policies that support such advice?<br>
<br>
e.g. ICANN policies are documented, approved by the Board, and made public.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
Bruce Tonkin<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org" target="_blank">Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org</a><br>
<a href="https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community" target="_blank">https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community</a><u></u><u></u></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div></div></div>
</div>
<br>_______________________________________________<br>
Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org" target="_blank">Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org</a><br>
<a href="https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community</a><br>
<br></blockquote></div><br></div></div>