[bc-gnso] Respectful Online Communication and Behavior

["BC Secretariat" <secretariat@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear ICANN Community Leaders and Members:

ICANN's Ombudsman, Frank Fowlie, recently posted a web page on Respectful 
Online Communication and Behavior:
<http://icann.org/ombudsman/respectful-communication-en.htm>.  This page 
emphasizes the importance of respectful communication in ICANN, particularly 
in this phase of its development as an international organization:


"Members of the community are asked to bear in mind that fellow community 
members, volunteers, stakeholders, and staff members are all deserving of 
considerate treatment.  Members of the community are asked to bear in mind 
that the diversity of thought, and diversity of participants, in this 
unique - bottom up - consensus driven - multilingual and multicultural 
organization is ICANN’s strength."


ICANN's Standard of Behaviour also can be found on this page, and is 
included below for easy reference.

I know some community leaders are discussing how to further encourage and 
enforce these standards within their community.  Please don't hesitate to 
contact ICANN Staff if there is anything we can do to assist with this 
endeavor.

Regards,
Denise

Denise Michel
ICANN Vice President
Policy Development
policy-staff@xxxxxxxxx

ICANN EXPECTED STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

"Those who take part in ICANN multi-stakeholder process including Board, 
staff and all those involved in Supporting Organization and Advisory 
Committee councils undertake to:

Act in accordance with ICANN's Bylaws. In particular, participants undertake 
to act within the mission of ICANN and in the spirit of the values contained 
in the Bylaws.

Adhere to the conflict of interest policy laid out in the Bylaws.

Treat all members of the ICANN community equally, irrespective of 
nationality, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, 
disability, age, or sexual orientation; members of the ICANN community 
should treat each other with civility both face to face and online.

Act in a reasonable and informed manner when participating in policy 
development and decision-making processes. This includes regularly attending 
all scheduled meetings and exercising independent judgment based solely on 
what is in the overall best interest of Internet users and the stability and 
security of the Internet's system of unique identifiers, irrespective of 
personal interests and the interests of the entity to which an individual 
might owe their appointment.

Listen to the views of all stakeholders when considering policy issues. 
ICANN is a unique multi-stakeholder environment. Those who take part in the 
ICANN process must acknowledge the importance of all stakeholders and seek 
to understand their points of view.

Work to build consensus with other stakeholders in order to find solutions 
to the issues that fall within the areas of ICANN's responsibility. The 
ICANN model is based on a bottom-up, consensus driven approach to policy 
development. Those who take part in the ICANN process must take 
responsibility for ensuring the success of the model by trying to build 
consensus with other participants.

Act in accordance with ICANN policies.

Protect the organization's assets and ensure their efficient and effective 
use.

Act fairly and in good faith with other participants in the ICANN process."