I agree this is a great concept if scheduling can work, and we should have a specific agenda rather than a broad amorphous topic like "PSC Consultation." I do not see the benefit of discussing that in this broad group, and would greatly prefer to focus on policy matters - such as updates from the various SOs/ACs about their policy initiatives, and cross discussion about each other's initiatives. Ideally these bodies can someday coordinate their policy development efforts, or at least routinely keep each other informed and with the ability to comment, because many policy efforts really ought to cut across multiple of these organizations but this silo'd ICANN system doesn't easily allow for cross-efforts. Thanks, Mike _____ From: owner-council@gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner-council@gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Gomes, Chuck Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 7:29 AM To: Avri Doria; Council GNSO Subject: RE: [council] Trans -SO/AC meeting in Cairo I support this idea if it can be scheduled to avoid conflicts. I do have two comments though regarding the proposed agenda items for Cairo: 1) if there is going to be a workshop on new gTLDs, it would be very helpful if that workshop preceded the Trans-SO/AC session on Monday; 2) if there is going to be a general workshop during the week on the topic of 'improving institutional confidence' then I am not sure that we need to discuss it in the Trans-SO/AC session except maybe in the follow-up session if we have one. Chuck _____ From: owner-council@gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner-council@gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Avri Doria Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 2:41 AM To: Council GNSO Subject: [council] Trans -SO/AC meeting in Cairo Importance: High Hi, One of the topics on yesterday's agenda was a proposal for a joint SO/AC meeting on various topics in Cairo. Chris Disspain shared the message he was going to send to the ccNSO and I have decided that he says it all and have borrowed it (with permission): Begin forwarded message: "At the suggestion of Bertrand de La Chapelle, the Chairs of the ALAC, gNSO and ccNSO together with GAC representatives Bertrand and Manal Ismail and Bruce Tonkin on behalf of the Board, had a teleconference earlier this week. The purpose was to explore how the ICANN Cairo meeting schedule could expand on the progress already made in Paris in terms of bringing the different SOs and ACs together on the major issues. The goal would be to develop trans-SO/AC communications and also facilitate general awareness within the community about the status of different issues and increase the visibility of them. Trans-SO/AC communications would not necessarily mean stopping the bilateral sessions, but may have the effect of making them shorter, more focused and less repetitive. As a result of the call it is suggested that on the Monday in Cairo the ccNSO, gNSO, ALAC and GAC organise a half day joint session (open to members as well as councillors) to a) discuss progress, issues and future steps regarding new gTLDs (including IDNs) and IDN ccTLDs and b) to be briefed on the President's Strategy Committee consultations on improving institutional confidence. It is also suggested that a further session on the Thursday might be appropriate to follow up and report on the individual SO/AC discussions on the topics following the Monday session. Obviously, the logistics of all of this have yet to be organised but ICANN has agreed the principle and we need to confirm, by 12 September, that we want to do this so that the initial agenda can be published. I'd appreciate comment, questions and input from councillors on the suggestion as soon as possible." Please use the list to indicate your opinions on this and whether this is something the council should support. thanks a.