[PublicInterest] Public Interest Confirmed as High-Interest Topic Session for ICANN57

[Ergys Ramaj]

Dear all,

This is to inform you that Public Interest is now confirmed as one of the High-Interest Topic sessions for ICANN57.

Attached is the draft block schedule, which is subject to change as sessions are likely to be shuffled further in order to avoid conflicts.

The public interest session will be 90 minutes long, and is tentatively scheduled to take place on Sunday, 6 November, from 15:15 - 16:45.

Additional information on the session can be found below, with more to come in the coming days and weeks.

Best,
Ergys
9. Public Interest Group: At-Large Advisory Committee

Session Leader(s): Sally Costerton

Background/ Importance: Understanding the concept of the public interest within ICANN's remit been a topic of discussion for many years. In 2013-2014, the Strategy Panel on Public Responsibility Framework explored this topic and, in consultations with the community, proposed the following definition for the global public interest in relation to the Internet: "ensuring that the Internet becomes, and continues to be, stable, inclusive, and accessible across the globe so that all may enjoy the benefits of a single and open Internet. In addressing its public responsibility, ICANN must build trust in the Internet and its governance ecosystem." While this definition has been well received, there is a desire to revisit. A high interest session took place at ICANN55, which helped build on previous discussions, but did not lead to concrete recommendations for next steps. Following ICANN55, the At-Large Advisory Committee created a Working Group to further explore the concept of the public interest. As the organization readies for significant changes in its governance structure in light of the impending IANA functions stewardship transition, it is important to carry the conversation forward.

Session Goals/Expected Outcomes:

1. Further understand the historical and political nuances of the 'global public interest' in various contexts and regions

2. Reach a shared understanding of what the concept of public interest means in the context of ICANN

3. Explore how public interest could be operationalized as the basis for decision-making at ICANN

4. Determine next steps

Relevant Documentation:

  *   Strategy Panel on Public Responsibility Framework report: http://bit.ly/1zEdR1D
  *   ICANN55 high interest session materials: http://bit.ly/2b3ym1R
  *   Wikispace: http://bit.ly/icannPI
  *   Mailing list: publicinterest at icann.org<mailto:publicinterest at icann.org>

Session Format: A panel comprised of members of the ICANN community will lead and moderate the discussion.
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