Draft Report: Review of the ICANN At-Large Community

Initial specific findings

-       Bahrain ALS was never shows in the map as an active Member

-       I am not quit sure if any interview have been taken place with anyone from the Gulf Countries so far to cover the this part of communities.

-       Table 9: History for Travel support

• This table seems to have incorrect data for example My Name was listed under the AFRALO were it should be APRALO with wrong number of participation

My initial comments on the EMM (Empowered Membership Model)

• EMM will further empower those who already have access to the internet and will only increase their power because of their ability to increase their knowledge and information through virtual networks. EMM disenfranchises those who don't currently have access and who aren't armed with that same knowledge and information to project a voice except through elected representatives of their local organisations in whom they have trust to represent their interests at decision-making level. Otherwise, who would specifically represent their interests? The current ALS system provides for this important need.

• EMM will continue to increase the digital divide between the haves and have-nots. Lack of access to the internet and therefore to knowledge about the important pathways that can help developing economies achieve their information goals, increases the risk of their being left further behind in their self-determination to successfully achieve their entry into the Information Society. Under-served and developing countries will continue to be under-represented at the decision making tables. Membership of At-Large will be limited to those who can undertake online learning through ICANN Learn - the internet is a luxury in many Pacific countries because it is unaffordable for those on local incomes.  

• EMM and the rejection of the current ALS model undervalues the diversity of other non-Western models of empowerment and decision-making. South Pacific cultures incorporate representation of the tribe to leaders whom they trust will override any individual interests. When we are attempting to build trust in the internet, this trust in the individuals who already have the trust of their organisations to contribute to regional decision-making must surely be the basis of more equitable representation of users. 

• EMM assumes that all are born equal and grow up in an environment that invites their participation in discussions and decision-making. But what if you don't completely understand the topic and don't speak the language of the discussion - and it isn't a UN language? How will they ever achieve Rapporteur status? In some Pacific cultures, it may not be appropriate for people to speak up in a public forum. So It takes time when you bring them into a new situation, to build their confidence and  to encourage them to make some contribution as a participant. And there may be periods of seeming non-engagement as they get to understand. With DNS-related topics being brand-new to many, they find it easier to learn within their local groups and through an acknowledged group leader who can represent their interests at the ICANN level and in order to introduce them to the ropes of ICANN in their own language and culturally- and technologically-appropriate learning environments.

• EMM excludes important relationships that have been built up by RALO leadership team members over several years with regional partner organisations. Several RALOs have MOU with regional partners who contribute greatly to the development of RALOs within the region. These relationships have the potential to decline or to become less effective as new leaders enter who have less affiliation with the shared goals and objectives the RALO may have built up with its regional  partners, coupled with their own individual agendas 

• EMM assumes that the role of the RALO Leaders is the same as that of the ALAC and can be undertaken concurrently. In the face of having thousands of members in a RALO, it is inconceivable that a RALO Chair and Vice Chair will be able to fulfil the individual orientation and development, regular information and knowledge building, as well as support for community outreach  needs of RALO members as well as the full policy and ICANN accountability responsibilities of the ALAC.  Similarly to locate a NOMCOM representative to represent the interests of a particular region as well as being completely knowledgable about another area of ICANN. But for example, what if the BEST experts for different ICANN constituencies come from one region? 

• EMM will create a larger bureaucracy and more staff required within the system to monitor the voter eligibility of the thousands of ALMs that this model proposes to attract in preference to the ALS model of one or two contacts on behalf of many.  Expensive software will no doubt be employed to ensure that efficient and effective mechanisms are in place to ensure that ALMs comply with required RALO and ALAC election criteria relating to their eligibility to stand (12 months of active membership in 3-4 capacity building, outreach and engagement activities per year) as well as to vote (active membership for 3 months).
  
  
  

I fully share the concerns and foundations expressed by Maureen and see the same consequences that she visualizes. Increased inequality and the digital divide, difficulties for end-users to participate, difficulties in teamwork at the grassroots level, to interest, integrate and adequately train new users. ALs are appropriate structures, which must be improved of course, but in terms of their operation, not in terms of structure.

 With all due respect, I think that as Maureen says, the error is that it is assumed that all people are born equal and grow in an environment that invites their participation in discussions and decision-making. But reality is not that. It is millions of people for many of whom the language barrier is already a problem that generates exclusion, the socio-cultural barrier is another, the difficulties in accessing the Internet and the economic barrier that also counts in an important way. The community would be represented by an elite that represents only a privileged sector of it. There is a lot of previous work to be done to achieve that level of equality, even to the minimum necessary to participate properly. And that is a work that is done from the ALs, with training and coordinated effort through a general plan of action that is also adapted to each particular situation and idiosyncrasy of the inhabitants of places where it is sought to achieve greater participation.