[atrt2] Staff clarification and request for additional information - Inventory Item #15 and #35

[Avri Doria]

Hi,

Will take this into account in working the rewrite and get back with any questions.  

The recommendations started out as a single recommendation which was being split in two, obviously I have more work to do.  

At this point, I would say that I believe  the transparency report needs to cover more than just the whistleblower report, but that would be a component.  I think that the yearly ATRT checklist, is just that, a checklist on workitems.   A specific Annual Transparency Report would go beyond recommendations and the degree to which they were met, and instead give a review of the state of transparency at ICANN, which would of course be related to the previous reviews, but which could go beyond that consistent with best practices of multistakeholder organizations working on Internet governance.  They could, for example, look at issues that come out of other fora discussion, such as the IGF, were the IGF to comment on ICANN's transparency.  Or they could respond to GAC or other ACSO concerns.  They are something that would feed into the notion of continuous review and improvement as required by the AOC.  They are also tools that the next ATRT could use in its diagnostics.

But you are right, I need to write more.  The group can then review the result in the DC meeting and perhaps we can follow up at that time (if I haven't contacted you, with copy to the list, with follow up questions before then).

Thanks for the review and the questions.

avri


On 9 Sep 2013, at 19:45, Larisa B. Gurnick wrote:

> Dear Avri,
> Staff has been reviewing the proposed observations and recommendations considered by the ATRT 2 and would like to offer several clarifications.  Additionally, it would be very helpful to get further clarification from the Review Team on several points raised.  As you are the ATRT 2 member assigned to complete the analysis and the documentation on these particular item, staff would appreciate your consideration of the information summarized here and your response of clarification.
> Inventory Item #15 - Assess Ombudsman relationship and confirm framework is consistent with international standards
> DRAFT Observation or Recommendation:
> ·         ICANN should  review ombudsman bylaw to ensure adherence to international standards in an effort to build confidence amongst stakeholders.  
> ·         ICANN needs to reconsider the role of the Ombudsman office as a symbol of good governance and incorporate the office in transparency processes. 
> ·         ICANN should consider the use of the Ombudsman in internal mediation processes.
> Staff Clarification and Request for Additional Information:
> Staff would appreciate a clarification from ATRT 2 regarding  what is meant by "internal mediation processes" and "incorporate the office in transparency processes."
> Inventory Item #35 - Review actions of the Board and staff in ensuring public interest:  Publication of yearly statistical reports on transparency
> Draft recommendation:
> ICANN should include a yearly transparency report as part of its yearly report. ICANN Transparency report needs to include a section on Employee whistleblowing activity including metric on:
>  i. Reports submitted
> ii. Reports that resulted in change to ICANN practices
> This report should be created under the supervision of the ICANN Ombudsman. This requires a change to By-laws on the Ombudsman scope.
> Staff Clarification and Request for Additional Information:
> Staff would appreciate a clarification of "yearly transparency report.”  ICANN already issues an annual report on implementation and progress on ATRT1 recommendations. Do you mean “Annual Report of Whistleblower Activities”?  If that is the case, it would be helpful to clarify this with a more descriptive term in your recommendation. Staff would suggest the term “Anonymous Hotline” based on research of best practices.  Additionally, while staff does not anticipate any issues with being able to report how the Anonymous Hotline is being used, ICANN’s ability to report publically on results from Anonymous Hotline may be limited in certain cases due to legal implications.   ICANN may be limited to providing a generic disposition due to such legal limitations. 
> Staff appreciates the significant work effort that you and the Review Team have committed to making ongoing improvements in ICANN’s accountability and transparency.
> Larisa B. Gurnick
> Consultant/Senior Director, Organizational Reviews
> Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
> larisa.gurnick at icann.org
> 310 383-8995
>  
> <ATRT2 Inventory of Observations & Potential Recommendations (Update 9 Sept).xlsx>_______________________________________________
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