[bc-gnso] ALERTS From the Secretariat: Work Continues to Increase Developing Economies Participation in the New gTLD Program

[Benedetta Rossi <bc-secretariat@xxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-13oct11-en.htm

Work Continues to Increase Developing Economies Participation in the New 
gTLD Program
Comment Period Deadlines^(*)    Important Information Links
Public Comment Box 
<http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/jas-final-report-13oct11-en.htm>
*Open Date:* 	13 October 2011 	To Submit Your Comments (Forum) 
<mailto:jas-final-report@xxxxxxxxx>
*Close Date:* 	16 December 2011 	*Time (UTC):* 	23:59 	View Comments 
Submitted <http://forum.icann.org/lists/jas-final-report/>
*Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose*

A message from the JAS WG:

Public comment is requested concerning theJoint Applicant Support*Final 
Report* 
<http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-en.pdf>[PDF, 503 
KB] which deals with a very important issue:/How can ICANN assist 
applicants from developing economies increase their participation in the 
new generic Top-Level Domain (New gTLD) Program?/Comments will be 
received until December 16 2011.
The Final Report is the last step of the work done by the Joint 
Applicant Support Working Group (JAS WG). The group is represented by 
ICANN community members from around the world that have been working 
together on this initiative since April 2010. The Report offers 
recommendations on how ICANN should develop a sustainable approach to 
providing support to applicants from developing economies requiring 
assistance in applying for and operating new gTLDs Registries under the 
New gTLD Program. The Report proposes initial criteria for qualification 
as well as several other types of support for ICANN to consider. It has 
been approved by ALAC and the GNSO, the chartering organizations.
Translations of theFinal Report 
<http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-en.pdf>[PDF, 503 KB]:
 * Español
   <http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-es.pdf>[PDF,
   513 KB]
 * Français
   <http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/jas-final-report-13sep11-fr.pdf>[PDF,
   570 KB]

*Section II: Background*

Below are some basic aspects of this work.

/This proposal is currently under consideration by ICANN community, 
Board and Staff. A Program is under development and further details will 
be made available on ICANN's website to the general public./
The JAS WG was formed following aResolution 
<http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-12mar10-en.htm>from ICANN 
Board of Directors in Nairobi, on March 2010 that asked ICANN's 
stakeholder community/"...to develop a sustainable approach to providing 
support to applicants requiring assistance in applying for and operating 
new gTLDs."/
1.


         What is this all about? What is a Final Report?

   The Final Report is a document produced by the JAS WG that offers
   recommendations on how ICANN should develop a sustainable approach
   to providing support to applicants from developing economies
   requiring assistance in applying for and operating new gTLDs
   Registries. The Final Report proposes initial criteria for
   qualification as well as several other types of support for ICANN to
   consider. It has been approved by the GNSO and ALAC, the chartering
   organizations.

   This initiative is related to the New gTLD Program, which in the
   near future will allow entities from around the world to apply for a
   new generic top-level domain (new gTLD). The applicants passing the
   evaluation process will sign a contract with ICANN and run a Registry.

2.


         Who is being considered to receive support?

   Once the new gTLD applicant interested in receiving support has
   demonstrated "service to the public interest," "financial
   capabilities and need," one or more of the following characteristics
   apply:

     * Support by and/or for distinct cultural, linguistic and ethnic
       communities;
     * Service in an under-served language, the presence of which on
       the Internet has been limited;
     * Operation in a developing economy in a manner that provides
       genuine local social benefit;
     * Advocated by non-profit, civil society and non-governmental
       organizations in a manner consistent with the organizations'
       social service mission(s); and
     * Operation by a local entrepreneur(s), providing demonstrable
       social benefit in those geographic areas where market
       constraints make normal business operations more difficult.

   The Final Report also recommends that it instead use the
   internationally agreed-upon UN Department of Economic and Social
   Affairs list:

     * Least Developed Countries: category 199;
     * Landlocked Developing Countries: category 432;
     * Small Island Developing States: category 722;
     * Indigenous Peoples, as described in Article 1 of Convention No.
       169 of the International Labour Organization and the UN
       Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.All applicants
       will be expected give a self-declaration that they are eligible
       to receive support under these criteria.
3.


         Who does NOT qualify for support?

   According to the JAS WG, the application must NOT have any of the
   following characteristics:

     * An applicant for a gTLD string that is not a generic word
       intended to reference a specific commercial entity (commonly
       referred to within ICANN as a "dot-brand");
     * A governmental or para-statal institution;
     * A gTLD string that is a geographic name or is based on one;
     * Affiliated with sponsors or partners that are bankrupt or under
       bankruptcy protection;
     * Affiliated with sponsors or partners that are the subject of
       litigation or criminal investigation;
     * Incapable of meeting any of the Applicant Guidebook's due
       diligence procedures.
4.


         Who benefits from this? Why is it important?

   We all benefit from this initiative. The Internet belongs to all as
   well as the responsibility to look into effective ways to reduce the
   Digital Divide, in this particular case, by delivering a sustainable
   and critical support for applicants from developing economies and
   looking for a solution not only at the application phase but also
   through to the initial years of these new Registry operators.

   It is important because the Internet is a virtual real estate that
   belongs to everyone. Entities from around the world should be able
   to increase their participation in the top-level expansion. The
   Working Group also stresses it is important not only to increase
   participation from developing economies, but also to increase the
   likelihood of success by these new participants that will be
   delivering Domain Name Services (DNS).

   The current New gTLD Program, as designed, has an evaluation (and
   several other fees) that are considered high for a significant
   number of potential participants from around the world. Besides the
   issue of high fees, the program is in English only and has an
   evaluation process with criteria and requirements that are quite
   complex to navigate.

5.


         What kind of assistance in being considered?

     The Final Report proposes a full array of financial and
   non-financial support to be offered  to applicants that meet the
   established criteria.

   The support should be available in the first and all subsequent
   rounds of new gTLD applications.

   Currently ICANN has launched an online work space dedicated to
   connect potential applicants from developing regions who wish to
   apply for a New gTLD in their community with organizations who wish
   to offer either financial or non-financial assistance. See details
   on how this space works
   here:http://newgtlds.icann.org/applicants/candidate-support

6.


         Who is part of this Working Group?

   The JAS WG is comprised of highly respected and experienced
   volunteers from the Supporting Organization and the Advisory
   Committee. This all-volunteer group teleconferences twice each week,
   and works through a Wiki and mailing lists. These active
   contributors are located in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, South
   America, North America and the Caribbean.

*Section III: Document and Resource Links*

Relevant Resolutions and previous Public Comment Forum:

 * Information about the New gTLD Program
   <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm>
 * http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-12mar10-en.htm#20
 * http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-25sep10-en.htm#2.2
 * http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-28oct10-en.htm
 * http://gnso.icann.org/resolutions/#201004
 * First Milestone Report Public Forum
   
<http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201012-en.htm#jas-milestone-report>
 * http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/second-milestone-report-10jun11-en.htm

Archive regarding the WG activities:

 * E-mail:soac-newgtldapsup-wg@xxxxxxxxx
   <mailto:soac-newgtldapsup-wg@xxxxxxxxx>
 * 
Wiki:https://community.icann.org/display/jaswg/SO-AC+New+gTLD+Applicant+Support+Working+Group+%28JAS-WG%29

*Section IV: Additional Information*

The JAS WG will hold a session during the upcomingICANN Dakar Meeting 
<http://dakar42.icann.org/full-schedule>to both explain the Final Report 
and receive additional community feedback. This session will have remote 
participation for the people not able to attend in person.
The JAS WG recently held a webinar about the Final Report. The webinar 
has been recorded and is available in English, French and Spanish. See 
recordingshere <http://gnso.icann.org/calendar/#sep>.
*Staff Contact:* 	Karla Valente 	*Email:* 	karla.valente@xxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:karla.valente@xxxxxxxxx?subject=More%20information%20on%20the%20Work%20Continues%20to%20Increase%20Developing%20Economies%20Participation%20in%20the%20New%20gTLD%20Program%20public%20comment%20period> 


--
Kind Regards,

Benedetta Rossi
BC Secretariat
www.bizconst.org
bc-secretariat@xxxxxxxxx