[bc-gnso] ALERTS From the Secretariat: Work Continues to Increase Developing Economies Participation in the New gTLD Program
Benedetta Rossi
bc-secretariat at icann.org
Tue Oct 18 10:03:54 UTC 2011
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-13oct11-en.htm
Work Continues to Increase Developing Economies Participation in the New
gTLD Program
Comment Period Deadlines^(*) Important Information Links
Public Comment Box
<http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/jas-final-report-13oct11-en.htm>
*Open Date:* 13 October 2011 To Submit Your Comments (Forum)
<mailto:jas-final-report at icann.org>
*Close Date:* 16 December 2011 *Time (UTC):* 23:59 View Comments
Submitted <http://forum.icann.org/lists/jas-final-report/>
*Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose*
A message from the JAS WG:
Public comment is requested concerning theJoint Applicant Support*Final
Report*
<http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-en.pdf>[PDF, 503
KB] which deals with a very important issue:/How can ICANN assist
applicants from developing economies increase their participation in the
new generic Top-Level Domain (New gTLD) Program?/Comments will be
received until December 16 2011.
The Final Report is the last step of the work done by the Joint
Applicant Support Working Group (JAS WG). The group is represented by
ICANN community members from around the world that have been working
together on this initiative since April 2010. The Report offers
recommendations on how ICANN should develop a sustainable approach to
providing support to applicants from developing economies requiring
assistance in applying for and operating new gTLDs Registries under the
New gTLD Program. The Report proposes initial criteria for qualification
as well as several other types of support for ICANN to consider. It has
been approved by ALAC and the GNSO, the chartering organizations.
Translations of theFinal Report
<http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-en.pdf>[PDF, 503 KB]:
* Español
<http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-es.pdf>[PDF,
513 KB]
* Français
<http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-fr.pdf>[PDF,
570 KB]
*Section II: Background*
Below are some basic aspects of this work.
/This proposal is currently under consideration by ICANN community,
Board and Staff. A Program is under development and further details will
be made available on ICANN's website to the general public./
The JAS WG was formed following aResolution
<http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-12mar10-en.htm>from ICANN
Board of Directors in Nairobi, on March 2010 that asked ICANN's
stakeholder community/"...to develop a sustainable approach to providing
support to applicants requiring assistance in applying for and operating
new gTLDs."/
1.
What is this all about? What is a Final Report?
The Final Report is a document produced by the JAS WG that offers
recommendations on how ICANN should develop a sustainable approach
to providing support to applicants from developing economies
requiring assistance in applying for and operating new gTLDs
Registries. The Final Report proposes initial criteria for
qualification as well as several other types of support for ICANN to
consider. It has been approved by the GNSO and ALAC, the chartering
organizations.
This initiative is related to the New gTLD Program, which in the
near future will allow entities from around the world to apply for a
new generic top-level domain (new gTLD). The applicants passing the
evaluation process will sign a contract with ICANN and run a Registry.
2.
Who is being considered to receive support?
Once the new gTLD applicant interested in receiving support has
demonstrated "service to the public interest," "financial
capabilities and need," one or more of the following characteristics
apply:
* Support by and/or for distinct cultural, linguistic and ethnic
communities;
* Service in an under-served language, the presence of which on
the Internet has been limited;
* Operation in a developing economy in a manner that provides
genuine local social benefit;
* Advocated by non-profit, civil society and non-governmental
organizations in a manner consistent with the organizations'
social service mission(s); and
* Operation by a local entrepreneur(s), providing demonstrable
social benefit in those geographic areas where market
constraints make normal business operations more difficult.
The Final Report also recommends that it instead use the
internationally agreed-upon UN Department of Economic and Social
Affairs list:
* Least Developed Countries: category 199;
* Landlocked Developing Countries: category 432;
* Small Island Developing States: category 722;
* Indigenous Peoples, as described in Article 1 of Convention No.
169 of the International Labour Organization and the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.All applicants
will be expected give a self-declaration that they are eligible
to receive support under these criteria.
3.
Who does NOT qualify for support?
According to the JAS WG, the application must NOT have any of the
following characteristics:
* An applicant for a gTLD string that is not a generic word
intended to reference a specific commercial entity (commonly
referred to within ICANN as a "dot-brand");
* A governmental or para-statal institution;
* A gTLD string that is a geographic name or is based on one;
* Affiliated with sponsors or partners that are bankrupt or under
bankruptcy protection;
* Affiliated with sponsors or partners that are the subject of
litigation or criminal investigation;
* Incapable of meeting any of the Applicant Guidebook's due
diligence procedures.
4.
Who benefits from this? Why is it important?
We all benefit from this initiative. The Internet belongs to all as
well as the responsibility to look into effective ways to reduce the
Digital Divide, in this particular case, by delivering a sustainable
and critical support for applicants from developing economies and
looking for a solution not only at the application phase but also
through to the initial years of these new Registry operators.
It is important because the Internet is a virtual real estate that
belongs to everyone. Entities from around the world should be able
to increase their participation in the top-level expansion. The
Working Group also stresses it is important not only to increase
participation from developing economies, but also to increase the
likelihood of success by these new participants that will be
delivering Domain Name Services (DNS).
The current New gTLD Program, as designed, has an evaluation (and
several other fees) that are considered high for a significant
number of potential participants from around the world. Besides the
issue of high fees, the program is in English only and has an
evaluation process with criteria and requirements that are quite
complex to navigate.
5.
What kind of assistance in being considered?
The Final Report proposes a full array of financial and
non-financial support to be offered to applicants that meet the
established criteria.
The support should be available in the first and all subsequent
rounds of new gTLD applications.
Currently ICANN has launched an online work space dedicated to
connect potential applicants from developing regions who wish to
apply for a New gTLD in their community with organizations who wish
to offer either financial or non-financial assistance. See details
on how this space works
here:http://newgtlds.icann.org/applicants/candidate-support
6.
Who is part of this Working Group?
The JAS WG is comprised of highly respected and experienced
volunteers from the Supporting Organization and the Advisory
Committee. This all-volunteer group teleconferences twice each week,
and works through a Wiki and mailing lists. These active
contributors are located in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, South
America, North America and the Caribbean.
*Section III: Document and Resource Links*
Relevant Resolutions and previous Public Comment Forum:
* Information about the New gTLD Program
<http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm>
* http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-12mar10-en.htm#20
* http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-25sep10-en.htm#2.2
* http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-28oct10-en.htm
* http://gnso.icann.org/resolutions/#201004
* First Milestone Report Public Forum
<http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201012-en.htm#jas-milestone-report>
* http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/second-milestone-report-10jun11-en.htm
Archive regarding the WG activities:
* E-mail:soac-newgtldapsup-wg at icann.org
<mailto:soac-newgtldapsup-wg at icann.org>
* Wiki:https://community.icann.org/display/jaswg/SO-AC+New+gTLD+Applicant+Support+Working+Group+%28JAS-WG%29
*Section IV: Additional Information*
The JAS WG will hold a session during the upcomingICANN Dakar Meeting
<http://dakar42.icann.org/full-schedule>to both explain the Final Report
and receive additional community feedback. This session will have remote
participation for the people not able to attend in person.
The JAS WG recently held a webinar about the Final Report. The webinar
has been recorded and is available in English, French and Spanish. See
recordingshere <http://gnso.icann.org/calendar/#sep>.
*Staff Contact:* Karla Valente *Email:* karla.valente at icann.org
<mailto:karla.valente at icann.org?subject=More%20information%20on%20the%20Work%20Continues%20to%20Increase%20Developing%20Economies%20Participation%20in%20the%20New%20gTLD%20Program%20public%20comment%20period>
--
Kind Regards,
Benedetta Rossi
BC Secretariat
www.bizconst.org
bc-secretariat at icann.org
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