[soac-newgtldapsup-wg] Re: public comment announcement - chairs, please review

[Carlton Samuels <carlton.samuels@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Karla:
Subject to adding the phrase 'the Caribbean' appropriately in the text, this
is fine with me.

Best,
Carlton



==============================
Carlton A Samuels
Mobile: 876-818-1799
*Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround*
=============================


2011/6/10 Karla Valente <karla.valente@xxxxxxxxx>

> Dear Carlton and Rafik,
>
>
>
> Below is a revised version of the announcement incorporating Evan’s
> proposed changes (below in blue). If you are in agreement with this draft, I
> will go ahead and send it to communications for posting.
>
>
>
> Looking forward to hear from you.
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
>
>
> Karla Valente
>
> Director, gTLD Registry Programs
>
> Mobile:  +1 310 936 4639
>
> * *
>
> *Public Comment: Work continues to expand Developing Economies
> participation in the New gTLD Program*
>
> __ June 2011
>
> *A message from the JAS WG:*
>
> The *Second Milestone Report* is being published for public comment today.
> It deals with a very important issue: *how can ICANN assist applicants
> from developing economies to increase their participation in the new generic
> Top-Level Domain (New gTLD) Program? *
>
> The Second Milestone Report is a continuation of the work done by the Joint
> Applicant Support Working Group, also known as JAS WG.  The group is
> represented by ICANN community members that have been working together on
> this initiative since April 2010. The JAS WG was formed following a
> Resolution <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."*
>
> Below are some basic aspects of this important work. It is important to
> note that this proposal is under consideration by ICANN community, Board and
> staff. At this time, no specific *Support Development Program* is under
> development. Once a decision is made about the specific elements of this
> program, ICANN will make the details available.
>
>    1. *What is this all about? What is a Milestone Report?*
>
> The Second Milestone 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 Report
> proposes initial criteria for qualification as well as several other types
> of support for ICANN to considered. It has been approved by ALAC one of the
> chartering organizations of the working group, but it has not yet been
> approved by the GNSO.
>
> The First Milestone Report was published for public comment in November
> 2011
> http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201012-en.htm#jas-milestone-report.
> Both reports presents the foundation for ICANN to establish a *Support
> Development Program* dedicated to this issue, however, the group intents
> to further develop this work in the near future.
>
> 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.
>
>    1. *Who is being considered to receive support? *
>
> Once the new gTLD applicant 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 an emerging market or nation in a manner that provides
> genuine local social benefit
>
> • Sponsored by non-profit, civil society and non‐governmental
> organizations in a manner consistent with the organizations' social service
> mission(s)
>
> • Operated by local entrepreneur, providing demonstrable social benefit in
> those geographic areas where market constraints make normal business
> operations more difficult
>
> 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:
>
> •  From a governmental or para‐statal applicant (subject to review, see
> below)
>
> •  A TLD string explicitly based, and related to, a trademark (ie. a "dot
> brand" TLD)
>
> •  A string that is, or is based on, a geographic name
>
> •  Sponsors or partners who are bankrupt or under bankruptcy protection
>
> •  Sponsors or partners who are subject of litigation or criminal
> investigation
>
> •  Otherwise 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 design, 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.
>
>    1. *Who is part of this Working Group?*
>
> This Working Group, also called Joint SO/AC WG on New gTLD Applicant
> Support or simply "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 and North America.
>
>    1. *What happens next?*
>
> A number of follow up activities are anticipated:
>
> o             The general public is strongly encouraged to participate in
> the public forum that can be found here: insert here the link to the public
> forum
>
> o             The JAS WG will hold a session during the upcoming ICANN
> Singapore Meeting to both explain the Report and receive additional
> community feedback. This session will have remote participation for the
> people not able to attend in person. If you are interested in learning more
> and have questions, please see here the details:
> http://singapore41.icann.org/node/24849
>
> o             The Board, staff, advisory committees and supporting
> organizations will review the Second Milestone Report and public comments
> received
>
> o             Commentary received regarding the JAS from within recent
> statements of the Governmental Advisory Committee will be addressed
>
> o             The Board, upon consideration of the Report and its
> commentary, may instruct the JAS and staff to develop an implementation
> program based upon the Report and comments received.
>
>    1. *How can one get involved?*
>
> One way to get involved is to provide a feedback using ICANN’s public
> comment forum. This is one of the ways ICANN listens to the global Internet
> community. You can find the link to this forum here: insert here the link
> to the public forum. The public forum will close on July 29 2011.
>
>    1. *Where to find more information?*
>
> Relevant Resolutions and previous public forum:
>
>    - 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
>       -
>
> Information about the New gTLD Program:
> http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm
>
> Archive regarding the WG activities:
>
>    - *E-mail:* soac-newgtldapsup-wg@xxxxxxxxx
>       - *Wiki:*
>       
> https://community.icann.org/display/jaswg/SO-AC+New+gTLD+Applicant+Support+Working+Group+%28JAS-WG%29
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Karla Valente
>
> Director, gTLD Registry Programs
>
> Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
>
> Direct:  + 1 310 301 3878
>
> Mobile:  +1 310 936 4639
>
> *Skype: **kdlvalente*
>
>
>