Dear BC Members, Please find below an ICANN announcement regarding ICANN's Language Services Policy & Procedures. Thank you, Kind Regards, Benedetta Rossi BC Secretariat https://community.icann.org/display/gnsobc/Home www.bizconst.org bc-secretariat@icann.org https://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-18may12-en.htm DRAFT - ICANN Language Services Policy and Procedures * 简体中文 <https://www.icann.org/zh/news/announcements/announcement-2-18may12-zh.htm> * Français <https://www.icann.org/fr/news/announcements/announcement-2-18may12-fr.htm> * Español <https://www.icann.org/es/news/announcements/announcement-2-18may12-es.htm> * Русский <https://www.icann.org/ru/news/announcements/announcement-2-18may12-ru.htm> * العربية <https://www.icann.org/ar/news/announcements/announcement-2-18may12-ar.htm> 18 May 2012 *Forum Announcement:* Comment Period Opens on *Date:* 18 May 2012 *Categories/Tags:* Policy Processes; Transparency/Accountability; Reviews/Improvements; Participation; Events/Conferences *Purpose (Brief):* ICANN Language Services is submitting for public comment the draft Language Services Policy and Procedures. The purpose of this document, although implicit in its title, is to establish policies and procedures for all services related to languages – translation, simultaneous interpretation, teleconference interpretation, transcription (of recorded sessions) and RTT (real-time-transcription, also known as scribing). *Public Comment Box Link:* *Comment Open:* 18 May 2012 *Comment Close:* 2 July 2012 *Close Time (UTC):* 23:59 UTC Public Comment Announcement <https://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-18may12-en.htm> *Reply Open:* 3 July 2012 To Submit Your Comments (Forum) <mailto:language-services-policy@icann.org> *Reply Close:* 1 August 2012 View Comments Submitted <http://forum.icann.org/lists/language-services-policy> *Close Time (UTC):* 23:59 UTC Report of Public Comments Brief Overview *Originating Organization:* ICANN Communications Department *Categories/Tags:* Policy Processes; Transparency/Accountability; Reviews/Improvements; Participation; Events/Conferences *Purpose (Brief):* ICANN is opening a public comment forum for the draft Language Services Policy and Procedures. Community members are asked to provide feedback on the proposed document. ICANN Language Services provides support for translation, simultaneous interpretation, teleconference interpretation, transcription (of recorded sessions) and RTT (real-time-transcription, also known as scribing). *Current Status:* Draft ICANN Language Services Policy and Procedures open for public comment. *Next Steps:* Comments will be accepted in this forum and in continued interaction with the community and staff. Once the comment and reply periods have ended, ICANN will review community feedback and post an assessment of comments received. The Board Committee on Public Participation will then submit the policy to the ICANN Board with its recommendation. *Staff Contact:* Christina M. Rodriguez *Email:* christina.rodriguez@icann.org <mailto:christina.rodriguez@icann.org?subject=More%20information%20on%20the%20DRAFT%20-%20ICANN%20Language%20Services%20Policy%20and%20Procedures%20public%20comment%20period> Detailed Information *Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose* The provision of language services is intended to facilitate access to ICANN and participation in its work for those who do not speak or are not fluent in English. The cost-effective provision of high quality multilingual services has two main objectives: * Make information about ICANN and its work accessible to those who speak languages other than English in ways that enhance participation in and the effectiveness of the multistakeholder model. * Make ICANN more effective as a global organization. ICANN's language services include: * Translation * Simultaneous interpretation * Teleconference interpretation * Transcription (of recorded sessions) * Scribing (Real Time Transcription - RTT) ICANN's working language is English. Its policy is to provide translation and interpretation in the six United Nations languages – currently Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), English, French, Russian and Spanish – where appropriate and taking account of budget constraints. *Section II: Background* Multilingualism is essential for a global multistakeholder organization. Meetings, documents and information must be accessible in a variety of languages. To address this need, ICANN submitted a previous version of this document (then called "Translation Programme <https://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-13feb08-en.htm>") for public comment in March 2008, and in December 2008 contracted with a localization and language industry expert (a full-time translation coordinator). This complied with the Accountability and Transparency Framework and Principles, and laid the path toward more effective engagement with stakeholders. *Section III: Document and Resource Links* DRAFT – ICANN Language Services Policy and Procedures <https://www.icann.org/en/about/participate/language-services/draft-policies-procedures-18may12-en.pdf>[PDF, 349 KB] *Section IV: Additional Information* None /(*) Comments submitted after the posted Close Date/Time are not guaranteed to be considered in any final summary, analysis, reporting, or decision-making that takes place once this period lapses./