Introduction

This is the LACRALO SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) table prepared by the LACRALO Strategic Planning WG - draft by Dev Anand Teelucksingh and Alejandro Pisanty

Strengths

ALS in 15 countries in LAC region
Level of expertise; middle
Parliamentary experience of approximately 20% of the members

WeaknessesLanguage barrier to particapte in ALAC / At-Large WGs which work in English
Language barrier makes it difficult for ALSes in LA (predominately Spanish) and Caribbean (predominately English) to understand each other and thus colloborate together
Politics - groups in LACRALO compete for LACRALO Representatives. Groups can mobilise ALSes to vote in elections but not in ICANN policy development
Different perspectives in how LACRALO should be administered ("sovereign")
Individuals can only participate as observers (AP: I don't see this as a weakness)
Lack of expertise above the middle level, in substantive matters
Lack of parliamentary experience of approximately 80% of the members
A history of unresolved internal conflict, embodied particularly in the still unresolved General Assembly
Complexity of rules
Lack of deep knowledge of the applicable rulesets (Bylaws and others)
Limited linkage of members to substantive ICANN issues
Leadership failures

Opportunities

have At-Large representation in all 33 Countries in LAC region
End users from a diverse range of countries with respect to history, language, culture, population size could bring unique perspectives into ICANN activities
Fadi Chehade's discourse towards geographical diversification
Fadi Chehade's discoruse towards more, and more effective, participation
ALAC's increased standing under Olivier Crepin-Leblond's leadership

Threats

Dissolution of LACRALO
ALSes/individuals frustrated by the politics become disenfranchised with LACRALO and stop participating in LACRALO
Perception by third parties of LACRALO as an improductive, problematic, and/or benefit-seeking organizations
Need of ICANN to make budgets lean and require justification for spending which LACRALO may not be able to provide sufficiently
Growth of visibility, influence and impact of NCSG and other groupings which compete for representation attention space, participation in decision-making, budget, and seats in the governing bodies
Questioning of the legitimacy and effectiveness of LACRALO and its members