May 2025 - At-Large - lists.icann.org

Fwd: Invitation to ESDC Cyber Diplomacy Advanced Course – Rome, 18–20 June 2025
by Joanna Kulesza May 10, 2025

May 10, 2025

Dear colleagues, Please let me draw your attention to the upcoming *ESDC course “Cyber Diplomacy Advanced”*, which will take place from *18 to 20 June 2025* at the *CEIDA Campus in Rome, Italy* (fully residential). The *deadline for nominations is 21 May 2025*. The official invitation and agenda can be found here <https://goalkeeper.eeas.europa.eu/goalkeeper/course/1691>. This advanced course is particularly relevant for those in the community with an interest in *cybersecurity, international law,** and Internet governance*. It offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of global cyber diplomacy, governance structures, EU tools for responding to cyber threats, and mechanisms for international cooperation and capacity building. Topics include: - Geopolitical dynamics in cyberspace - Cyber threat landscape - Confidence-building measures and cyber diplomacy tools - Multilateral engagement and cyber capacity building - EU responses to cybersecurity challenges The course is designed for *mid- to senior-level professionals*, and it provides an excellent platform for networking, peer exchange, and the development of practical competencies in cyber diplomacy. As a *member of the ESDC network*, *Lodz Cyber Hub*, an EURALO ALS, encourages interested individuals from the At-Large and Internet governance communities to consider applying. We would be grateful if you could share this opportunity within your networks. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Giuseppe Zuffanti at *giuseppe.zuffanti(a)eeas.europa.eu <giuseppe.zuffanti(a)eeas.europa.eu>*. -- Kind regards, Joanna Kulesza ------------------- Joanna Kulesza, PhD Professor of International Law Lodz Cyber Hub / University of Lodz Law School / Poland www.cyber.uni.lodz.pl (EURALO ALS 341) ALAC / EURALO / ALAC Liaison to the GAC

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ALAC OBJECTION PROCEDURE for the new gTLD applications
by Tijani May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Dear OFB and ALAC members, On the ALAC Small team for the ALAC Objection (new gTLD applications), we reached a pretty good consensus about the procedure that the team leader (Dev) and Alan shared with you. But there was a point on which we disagreed, and Alan wrote a remark about it that I want to clarify for you to take the final decision: I’m concerned about the option for a conflicted gARG member to recuse him/her self from a specific application(s) instead of resigning. I feels that being the only part of the ICANN community that has the privilege to be funded to object, ALAC shouldn’t allow recusal instead of mandate resignation because this may impact our credibility and lessen the strength of our objections. I do believe that the gARG should be fully free of any conflict with ALL applications. If that is not the case, the applicant may use this to attempt to undermine our standing. For the record, in this very “ALAC Procedure for Filing Comments and Objections in the Next Round” we are providing, it’s clearly mentioned that the main criterion of eligibility for the gARG membership is that members must be free from any actual or perceived conflicts of interest (see gARG membership paragraph). I also think that none is absolutely needed for At Large to make comments, objections or appeals; the gARG is composed of 15 members, and it may work perfectly with 14 when the conflicted member resigns: the ability of the gARG to respond to an application and/or an appeal wouldn’t be affected. This is for our credibility and for avoiding any risk to see our objection rejected because a member of the group (in charge ofidentifying concerns, Drafting ALAC comments, Monitoring responses to ALAC comments and recommend whether to escalate to a formal objection, Drafting ALAC objection statements, Monitoring responses to ALAC objection and if dismissed, recommend whether to appeal; and Drafting ALAC Appeal statement) has a conflict of interest. In case there are many gARG members with a COI, the situation would be worse. Their resignation is more than necessary to keep the group (and ALAC) credible; they may be replaced. Now that I made my point clearly, it’s up to you to take the right decision thereupon. Tijani

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Capacity Building WG - back to track
by Natalia Filina May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Dear Jonathan, community, I would like to initiate the renewal of the Capacity Building WG. We have a successful experience, excellent reviews and results (of course participation metrics - we all love metrics), and have been trying to come back to this activity for years (since Hamburg ICANN meeting in November 2023 and earlier - we suggested it with Hadia and had community support). Capacity Building work is a great community mobilization way, as well as strong support for important and complex topics (technological, cybersec, Consolidated Policy, broader ICANN topics to explain with the participation of other ICANN groups - too) is a great way to go. It might help our newcomers to be engaged, be aware, for our experts - to be useful with priceless expertise. If we are not sure it`s needed, we should organise the poll and ask the community about it. I see it as a simple way to use bottom up mode to start or close some processes inside At-Large - Technology Task Force WG, Outreach and Engagement coordinated work, setting up any Subcommittees etc - the way when the community has a decision together with a link to the community opinion - synergy has proven effectiveness. I did not add in the copy of this email Maureen, Hadia, Joanna, Alfredo, Maria - I remember this wonderful team lead the CBWG, but hope some may put comments to my suggestion, as well as other respected community members and leaders. Sincerely, Natalia Filina Secretary of EURALO https://atlarge.icann.org/alses/euralo IGF Dynamic Coalition on the Internet of Things, member DotDucky <https://dotducky.com/> owner 🐣 +7 906 722 54 61 Moscow, Russia

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Invitation: LCH Masterclass on “Data and International Law: Where Do They Meet?” with Dr Eneken Tikk – May 9, 2025
by Joanna Kulesza May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to invite you to an upcoming Lodz Cyber Hub Legal Masterclass titled *“Data and International Law: Where Do They Meet? <https://www.cyber.uni.lodz.pl/en/news/details/lch-mc-05>”*, taking place on *Friday, 9 May 2025*, from *10:45 to 12:15 CEST* (08:45–10:15 UTC). This session will be conducted in a hybrid format—both in person at the University of Lodz and online via Microsoft Teams. We are honoured to welcome *Dr Eneken Tikk* (Erik Castrén Institute, University of Helsinki; Director, Cyber Policy Institute), a distinguished scholar and practitioner in international cyber diplomacy and cyber policy. This masterclass will examine the legal and geopolitical frameworks surrounding transborder data flows, addressing key issues such as data sovereignty, privacy, and security from an international legal perspective. *Topics to be explored include:* - Data localization, sovereignty, and the concept of “data embassies” - Legal protections for data under international humanitarian law - Data integrity and cross-border enforcement challenges - Tensions between privacy rights and national security *Participation certificates* will be issued upon request (please indicate this in the registration form). *🔹 Registration is open until 7 May 2025 OED UTC.* Please *register here <https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7xpEYw7al0O7fvnUcF6WO-z…>* to secure your spot. This event is hosted as part of the LCH Legal “Masterclasses” series, which is open to students of the University of Lodz as well as external participants with an interest in international law, Internet governance, and geopolitics of data. We look forward to your participation in what promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking discussion. -- Kind regards, Joanna Kulesza ------------------- Joanna Kulesza, PhD Professor of International Law Lodz Cyber Hub / University of Lodz Law School / Poland www.cyber.uni.lodz.pl (EURALO ALS 341) ALAC / EURALO / ALAC Liaison to the GAC

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Universal Acceptance: the Path Forward
by Satish Babu May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Dear all The Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG) has made significant strides in enhancing awareness about UA over the last decade, and lately, driving it's adoption. The ICANN Board has acknowledged the work of UASG in the last ICANN meeting through a resolution. Looking forward, the ICANN Board has charted out new directions for the work around UA, both for the ICANN Community and for partnering organizations. Please see below the blog, from the ICANN CEO, on the new Board decisions around UA, outling changes in focus, which may be rolled out over a period of time starting from around June 2025: https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/universal-acceptance-aligning-resour… With kind regards satish

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