At-Large Proposed Modification of GNSO PDP Manual to Address the Suspension of a PDP Workspace

12.11.2012

Proposed Modification of GNSO PDP Manual to Address the Suspension of a PDP

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Marika Konings
policy-staff@icann.org

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Comment/Reply Periods ^(*)

Important Information Links

Comment Open:

22 October 2012

Comment Close:

12 November 2012

Close Time (UTC):

23:59

Public Comment Announcement

Reply Open:

13 November 2012

To Submit Your Comments (Forum)

Reply Close:

3 December 2012

View Comments Submitted

Close Time (UTC):

23:59

Report of Public Comments

Brief Overview

Originating Organization:

GNSO

Categories/Tags:

Policy Processes; Reviews/Improvements

Purpose (Brief):

The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Standing Committee on Improvements Implementation (SCI) is recommending a modification of the GNSO Policy Development Process (PDP) Manual, which is an integral part of the GNSO Operating Procedures, to address the possible suspension of a PDP.

Current Status:

As required by the ICANN Bylaws, a public comment forum is hereby initiated on the proposed changes prior to GNSO Council consideration.

Next Steps:

Following the closing of the public comment forum, the SCI will review the comments received; revise its recommendations, if deemed appropriate, and; submit these to the GNSO Council for approval.

Staff Contact:

Marika Konings, Sr. Policy Director

Email:

Policy-staff@icann.org

Detailed Information

Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose

Having encountered the need to suspend a PDP for a limited amount of time, the GNSO Council realized that currently the Policy Development Process (PDP) Manual does not contain a specific provision on how to deal with such a situation. As a result, the GNSO Council requested the SCI in April 2012 to review whether there should be a modification to the GNSOPDP (PDP) Manual to address the possible suspension of a PDP following its initiation. The SCI has reached consensus on the proposed modifications to be incorporated in the GNSO PDP Manual. These proposed modifications to the existing provision on terminating a PDP (section 15) are as follows, in bold:

The GNSO Council may terminate or suspend* a PDP prior to the publication of a Final Report only for significant cause, upon a motion that passes with a Supermajority Vote in favour of termination or suspension. The following are illustrative examples of possible reasons for a premature termination or suspension of a PDP:

1. Deadlock. The PDP Team is hopelessly deadlocked and unable to identify recommendations or statements that have either the strong support or a consensus of its members despite significant time and resources being dedicated to the PDP;

2. Changing Circumstances. Events have occurred since the initiation of the PDP that have rendered the PDP moot, or no longer necessary, or warranting a suspension; or

3. Lack of Community Volunteers. Despite several calls for participation, the work of the PDPTeam is significantly impaired and unable to effectively conclude its deliberations due to lack of volunteer participation.

* Suspension is a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of the PDP, i.e. all activities are halted upon a decision of the GNSO Council until further notice. A mere change in milestones or schedule of the PDP is not considered a suspension. [To be included as a footnote]

As required by the ICANN Bylaws, the SCI is requesting community input on these proposed modifications to the GNSOOperating Procedures.

Section II: Background

The Standing Committee on Improvements Implementation (SCI) was established by the GNSO Council on 7 April 2011 to be responsible for reviewing and assessing the effective functioning of recommendations provided by the Operational Steering Committee (OSC) and Policy Process Steering Committee (PPSC) and approved by the GNSO Council. For further information about the SCI and its activities, please see https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/gnsosci/overview.

Section III: Document and Resource Links

Current version of the GNSO PDP Manual – see http://gnso.icann.org/council/annex-2-pdp-manual-16dec11-en.pdf [PDF, 126 KB].

Section IV: Additional Information

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