Dear all, ICANN has appointed Meridian Institute <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.merid.org_&d=DwMFaQ&...> to conduct the second independent review of the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__ccnso.icann.org_en&d=Dw...> ). This review is mandated by ICANN's Bylaws <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.icann.org_resources...> and is part of its ongoing commitment to accountability and transparency. Meridian Institute will begin work on the review immediately, and is expected to submit its final report in July 2019. Selection of the Independent Examiner The selection of an independent examiner followed ICANN's rigorous procurement process. The process was led by the ICANN organization and validated by the Board's Organizational Effectiveness Committee (OEC [icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.icann.org_resources...>). The OEC is responsible for overseeing ICANN's Organizational Reviews process. The selection criteria for the independent examiner was developed in collaboration with the ccNSO Review Working Party<https://community.icann.org/x/jga8B>. The criteria included: understanding of the assignment, comprehension of the ccNSO's role within the ICANN structure, and the independence of the proposed team. ccNSO Review Activity at ICANN63 As part of their data collection, the Meridian Institute team leads will be conducting in-person interviews at ICANN63 in Barcelona, Spain, with current and past members of the ccNSO, informed community members, and members of the ICANN organization and Board. If you are traveling to ICANN63 and would like to be considered for a one-on-one interview, please send an email to jennifer.bryce@icann.org<mailto:jennifer.bryce@icann.org>. Members of the Meridian Institute team will also provide an update to the community on the progress of the review during a public session at ICANN63. Details of the public session will be posted to the ccNSO review wiki<https://community.icann.org/x/q7TDAw> in due course. About Meridian Institute Meridian Institute is a trusted third-party not-for-profit organization that has specialized in multistakeholder processes for more than 20 years. To ensure the integrity of both processes and results, Meridian Institute involves representatives from diverse sectors, communities, and stakeholder groups in its work. Team members bring objectivity as independent process experts, strategic advisors, and as a trusted third party. Past projects have resulted in: * Private sector and civil society partnerships; * Multistakeholder consensus policy recommendations and implementation plans; and * Incorporation of diverse stakeholder input in regulatory agencies and institutions. The Meridian Institute team is led by Kristy Buckley [merid.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.merid.org_About_Staf...>, and includes Mallorie Bruns [merid.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.merid.org_About_Staf...>, Annie Shapiro [merid.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.merid.org_About_Staf...>, and Sara Suriani [merid.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.merid.org_About_Staf...>. To learn more about Meridian Institute, click here [merid.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.merid.org_&d=DwMFaQ&...>. Announcement: https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2018-08-31-en Best regards, Joke Braeken ccNSO Policy Advisor joke.braeken@icann.org<mailto:joke.braeken@icann.org> Follow @ccNSO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccNSO Follow the ccNSO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccnso/ http://ccnso.icann.org