<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Dear James</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">I agree with Jorge: it is not possible to define boundaries but it is more likely there are gradations of interest and "watching briefs." I do not recall the GAC expressing a position for the record that a particular issue was beyond its scope and that therefore it had no locus. A fundamental concern for governments (as made clear in the extract from the GAC Operating Principles cited by Jorge) is ensuring stability and security in the DNS because the economic and social welfare of citizens and business relies on the sustainability of the DNS as currently devised and managed. You could argue that all ICANN policy issues and development processes - even the most arcane technical issue - have a bearing on that overarching concern of governments - of our ministers. Were ICANN to go belly up or the global DNS start to fragment into separate units, to become balkanised, rest assured the GAC representatives would be hauled up in front of their ministers and parliamentary committees to explain how they failed to prevent that! Furthermore, the GAC's members' and observers' task to ensure there is consistency of ICANN decisions and strategy with national and international laws also relates primarily to protecting and advancing social and economic benefits and norms. With regard to the former, that is why it is important for GAC reps to establish consultation channels with national regulators, both governmental within their administrations, and independent regulators (the GAC's inputs into the new gTLDs AGB was an example of this being necessary extensively). With regard to international laws, it is significant that so many inter-governmental organisations have decided that they as institutions, as well as their member states, should participate in the GAC as observers. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">To sum up, I agree with Jorge that the GAC Operating Principles provide the essential basis for answering the question of what is the role of the GAC in the ICANN model and why over 150 governments and over 30 IGOs have registered to participate in ICANN processes. To extend beyond that in order to define precise boundaries would not be easy and I suggest not a worthwhile exercise. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">I hope these comments are helpful.</div><div class="gmail_extra"><br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Mark</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">Mark Carvell<div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">United Kingdom Representative on the GAC</div><br></div><div>Global Internet Governance Policy</div><div>Department for Culture, Media and Sport</div><div><a href="mailto:mark.carvell@culture.gov.uk" target="_blank">mark.carvell@culture.gov.uk</a></div><div>tel +44 (0) 20 7211 6062</div></div></div></div>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On 30 October 2015 at 16:09, <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">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Difficult to say, at least for me, as we concentrate and know more about the issues with public policy implications. Other,
purely technical or commercial issues are normally not on our radar, but may be very important for technical committees or for the GNSO.
<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">Anyway, normally you will not see a “binary choice2 but varying degrees of public policy implication – for instance “universal
acceptance” might be important on a general level, but for the moment it is more of a “to follow issue”, while there are issues (such as WHOIS) with a lot of public policy implications…<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>
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<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"> James M. Bladel [mailto:<a href="mailto:jbladel@godaddy.com" target="_blank">jbladel@godaddy.com</a>]
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<b>Gesendet:</b> Freitag, 30. Oktober 2015 17:03<br>
<b>An:</b> Cancio Jorge BAKOM <<a href="mailto:Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch" target="_blank">Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch</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>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">Thank you, Jorge. Very helpful.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">For my own clarification & understanding, can you (or any other GAC participants) provide examples of a current/recent topic that would NOT be subject to GAC advice,
under its Operating Principles? Sometimes the exceptions help to define the boundaries of the rule.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">Thanks—<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">J.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">From:
</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><<a href="mailto:accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org" target="_blank">accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org</a>> on behalf of "<a href="mailto:Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch" target="_blank">Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch</a>"
<<a href="mailto:Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch" target="_blank">Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch</a>><br>
<b>Date: </b>Friday, October 30, 2015 at 3:06 <br>
<b>To: </b>"<a href="mailto:Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au" target="_blank">Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au</a>" <<a href="mailto:Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au" target="_blank">Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au</a>>, "<a href="mailto:tracyhackshaw@gmail.com" target="_blank">tracyhackshaw@gmail.com</a>"
<<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>" <<a href="mailto:accountability-cross-community@icann.org" target="_blank">accountability-cross-community@icann.org</a>><br>
<b>Subject: </b>Re: [CCWG-ACCT] Definition of public policy advice from the GAC<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Dear all,</span><span style="color:black"><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"> </span><span style="color:black"><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:</span><span style="color:black"><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"> </span><span style="color:black"><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.</span><span style="color:black"><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:</span><span style="color:black"><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;</span><span style="color:black"><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;</span><span style="color:black"><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;</span><span style="color:black"><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;</span><span style="color:black"><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;</span><span style="color:black"><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</span><span style="color:black"><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.”</span><span style="color:black"><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"> </span><span style="color:black"><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</span><span style="color:black"><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"> </span><span style="color:black"><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
</span><span style="color:black"><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"> </span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="DE" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">Von:</span></b><span lang="DE" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">
<a href="mailto:accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org" target="_blank">accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org</a> [<a href="mailto:accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org" target="_blank">mailto: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</span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Thanks Tracy this is very helpful.<br>
<br>
Sent from my iPhone<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="color:black"><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></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Hi Bruce, <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">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></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">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></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">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></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">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></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">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></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">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></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">You will appreciate therefore the delicate and deliberate efforts at consensus building in the GAC in issuing "public policy" advice.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Rgds,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Tracy Hackshaw<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">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></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">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>
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