The topic seems to get more discussion at USA hearings on the JPA, and IGF discussion forums

Exactly. It is essential to get it out in a more open format within the community.

Part of the issue is defining what is meant by accountability

Agree. And that may be the primary discussion point to start with. Tim -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [council] Regarding topics for open discussion amongst SOs and ACs From: "Bruce Tonkin" <Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au> Date: Wed, September 02, 2009 5:32 pm To: "Council GNSO" <council@gnso.icann.org> Hello Tim,

But my suggestion is that the topic be Accountability.

That would certainly be useful at some point. There have indeed been some proposals that were prepared by a President's advisory committee, but there hasn't really been an open community discussion on the topic at an ICANN meeting. The topic seems to get more discussion at USA hearings on the JPA, and IGF discussion forums under the topic of Internet Governance generally. Part of the issue is defining what is meant by accountability by the various parties raising that issue. Do they mean accountable to a Government or Governments, or do they mean accountability to the ICANN community - ie accountable to "members' in some way? Sometimes it seems to me that parties mean accountable to someone that they can influence :-) Regards, Bruce Tonkin