Regarding Ethics and conflicts of interest
Hello All, I have noticed a few newspaper articles and posting on forums like CircleID on how ICNAN is reviewing its policies for Conflicts of Interest and Ethics. I just want to let you know that this is a topic of active discussion on the Board. For example, at the Board Governance Committee meeting on 15 August 2011: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-bgc-15aug11-en.htm " 5.Ethics and Conflicts of Interest - The BGC began a discussion on the issues surrounding Board and staff ethics issues. The BGC discussed that as a private sector organization, ICANN is limited in its ability to place restrictions on future employment, though there are many things that ICANN can do to address these concerns, such as continued strict adherence and enforcement of confidentiality provisions. The BGC noted that the conflicts/ethics discussion has been going on within ICANN prior to the approval of the new gTLD program. The BGC agreed that community discussion should occur in Dakar about this issue. Action: Staff to draft proposed guidelines for Board members and staff members, to provide additional information and guidance through the use of examples, for BGC consideration at its September workshop, in preparation for community discussion in October. " This was topic discussed further in the Board Governance Committee last week on Thursday 15 September (I will post information on the resolutions once they are posted on the Board Governance Committee website), and with the Board as a whole on Saturday 17 September. You will see from the minutes above - that this will be a discussion item in Dakar. So just want to reassure that the concerns raised by members of the GNSO Council in Singapore are being followed up, and there will be more to report in Singapore. Regards, Bruce Tonkin
Thanks for informing us Bruce. Stéphane Le 23 sept. 2011 à 06:21, Bruce Tonkin a écrit :
Hello All,
I have noticed a few newspaper articles and posting on forums like CircleID on how ICNAN is reviewing its policies for Conflicts of Interest and Ethics.
I just want to let you know that this is a topic of active discussion on the Board.
For example, at the Board Governance Committee meeting on 15 August 2011:
http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-bgc-15aug11-en.htm
" 5.Ethics and Conflicts of Interest -
The BGC began a discussion on the issues surrounding Board and staff ethics issues. The BGC discussed that as a private sector organization, ICANN is limited in its ability to place restrictions on future employment, though there are many things that ICANN can do to address these concerns, such as continued strict adherence and enforcement of confidentiality provisions. The BGC noted that the conflicts/ethics discussion has been going on within ICANN prior to the approval of the new gTLD program. The BGC agreed that community discussion should occur in Dakar about this issue.
Action:
Staff to draft proposed guidelines for Board members and staff members, to provide additional information and guidance through the use of examples, for BGC consideration at its September workshop, in preparation for community discussion in October. "
This was topic discussed further in the Board Governance Committee last week on Thursday 15 September (I will post information on the resolutions once they are posted on the Board Governance Committee website), and with the Board as a whole on Saturday 17 September.
You will see from the minutes above - that this will be a discussion item in Dakar.
So just want to reassure that the concerns raised by members of the GNSO Council in Singapore are being followed up, and there will be more to report in Singapore.
Regards, Bruce Tonkin
Hello All, The minutes from the Board Governance Committee meeting of 15 September are now public. See: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-bgc-15sep11-en.htm The relevant resolution relating to Ethics and Conflicts of interest is: "Ethics and Conflicts of Interest - The Committee held a long and detailed discussion about the nature of conflicts of interest, including the requirements relating to disclosure of existing, future or potential future conflicts of interest, as well as abstention from voting in particular circumstances. The Committee also discussed in detail how ethics guidelines compliment a Conflicts of Interest Policy, and the need for ICANN to establish a formal Ethics regime. The BGC approved a motion leading to the following actions: Actions: * The CEO and the General Counsel are to review and propose revisions to the Conflicts of Interest Policy to clarify issues, including disclosure and abstention requirements, surrounding future interests or potential future interests. * The CEO and the General Counsel are to engage an external firm with expertise in advising on ethical issues, to advise and help develop an ICANN Ethics Regime or set of Guidelines for the Board, the staff and the community. * A work party of Cherine Chalaby, Bill Graham and Ray Plzak as current members of the BGC to review and guide staff efforts to revise the Conflicts of Interest Policy and development of the Ethics Regime or set of Guidelines. * Staff to provide BGC with progress report, and BGC to further discuss process and timeline in Dakar." Note also that the BGC has asked the staff to schedule a 90 minute public session in Dakar to provide the community with a briefing on the current conflicts policy and possible changes, and to seek community input. I will provide further details once the details are public. Regards, Bruce Tonkin
participants (2)
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Bruce Tonkin
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Stéphane Van Gelder