[ICANN]<http://www.icann.org/> ICANN Weekly Newsletter News from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers http://www.icann.org/Week ending 20 February 2015 ________________________________ Announcements This Week ICANN Updates Authorization Process for Release of Two-Character ASCII Labels<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-02-20-en> Today, ICANN is announcing updates to the "Authorization Process for the Release of Two-Character ASCII Labels" to take into account additional direction from the ICANN Board. On 12 February 2015, the Board took action to accept advice from the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) on this subject issued in the GAC's 11 February 2015 Communiqué - Singapore, and directed the President and CEO, or his designee, to proceed immediately to implement the following changes to the process: 20 February 2015 Closing Date Approaching: Nomination Period For 2015 ICANN Multistakeholder Ethos Award | Award Presentation Planned for ICANN 53 | Nominations Close 02 March 2015<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-02-19-en> On 10 December 2015 ICANN announced the opening of the nomination period for ICANN's 2015 Multistakeholder Ethos Award Program. The nomination period will close on 2 March 2015. This award program seeks to recognize long-standing community members who have served in leadership roles in multiple ICANN working groups or committees and demonstrated collaboration with different supporting organizations and/or advisory committees. 19 February 2015 Second Middle East DNS Forum to Take Place in Amman Jordan<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-02-16-en> This is the second edition of the Middle East DNS Forum (ME DNS), which aims to build on the inaugural forum that took place in Dubai, early 2014. 16 February 2015 ________________________________ Upcoming Events [Buenos Aires Logo]21-25 June 2015: 53rd International Public ICANN Meeting - Buenos Aires<http://buenosaires53.icann.org/en> About ICANN ICANN Bylaws<http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm> Our bylaws are very important to us. They capture our mission of security, stability and accessibility, and compel the organization to be open and transparent. Learn more at www.ICANN.org<http://www.icann.org/>. Strategic Plan, 2012 - 2015<http://www.icann.org/en/planning/> Adopted FY15 Operating Plan and Budget<http://www.icann.org/en/financials/budget-opplan.htm>