Please see below the statement from the Caribbean ALSes regarding the Interim Report of the Geographic Regions Review Working Group. Caribbean ALSes comments: The defined geographic region of LACRALO has in the past detracted from ICANN’s goal of reflecting the functional, geographic and cultural diversity of the Caribbean Region of Internet end-users. This is felt at a basic level via participation on the mailing list and voicing opinions on matters; as well as relating to larger issues, such as policy development and voting of ALAC (and other) representatives. ICANN’s Core Values We recognise the Initial Report identified representation, participation and operations as three primary usage categories. Traditionally the Caribbean region has been under represented and little involution has been made to encourage and increase participation. The argument for greater input from the Caribbean region is strengthened by the addition of the concepts of “cultural diversity” and “geographic diversity” to the ICANN Bye Laws in 2002; the Caribbean being a unique segment of LACRALO in both these categories and deserving of such recognition. Indeed ICANN, the corporation, has since 2006 employed and tasked an employee to be the Caribbean liaison. In our view, the mechanism by which ICANN’s core values are applied to RALOs is ill-defined, but we can apply the guidelines of the bye laws which state: “Seeking and supporting broad, informed participation reflecting the functional, geographic, and cultural diversity of the Internet at all levels of policy development and decision-making.” --Fourth Core Value; and Also while Article XI, Section 2, Paragraph 4 which deals with ALAC representatives is silent on this point; we can also apply guidance to enshrine ICANN’s Core Values from: “…composed of members that in the aggregate display diversity in geography, culture, skills, experience, and perspective…” --Article VI Section 2 Diversity We agree in the broader recognition of “diversity” to include additional considerations of culture and language in the LACRALO. The Caribbean is distinct in terms of its history, culture and language; further it has indigenous challenges being small island states and specific needs which are not a natural fit with the rest of Latin America. Due to these differences LACRALO is able to benefit from varying opinions and has the potential to be a truly representative region. One small but important example is the predominant use of English language in the Caribbean Region, however 90% of the mailing list discussion takes place in Spanish. With poor translation tools and the particular nuances between languages; we struggle to understand each other and it becomes almost prohibitively difficult to communicate, follow topic threads collaborate and participate fully. Interpretation between our two regions is currently poor and the result is misunderstanding, frustration, duplicated effort and ultimately lack of participation from our Region; thereby resulting in under-representation of our particular perspectives and points of view. Numbers of Internet users We agree that the only measure of “balance” should not be limited to the number of internet users in a particular sub-region of LACRALO. Balance must tie into and promote diversity. This will only occur if it includes the stakeholder groups in various communities of interest having clear view-points on ICANN’s issues. Often, because of our diversity we see two clear perspectives emerging on issues- on one side from the Latin American Region and on the other from the Caribbean Region. However, since the Caribbean is always in the minority (both in terms of numbers of ALSes and users) our votes, our participation and our opinions have little impact unless an ‘arrangement’ is forged with Latin American representatives in order to push a particular motion (on our behalf). This is crippling to the Caribbean region’s presence in LACRALO on several levels: 1. It diminishes participation of our members, due to lack of morale when our perspective is ignored without any consideration and also due to the level of bureaucracy involved in contributing; and 2. It increases the challenge to recruit new members and ALSes because of this sense of pseudo-involvement, marginalism and non-engagement. As it stands, on many occasions the Caribbean voice in LACRALO is indirectly but effectively diminished. Those not represented We have not had any input from the Caribbean end-user groups in Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands or British Virgin Islands with regard to their issues with being aligned to their mother country. But we encourage that their opinion be sought out by the Working Group. Striking Balance We have clearly identified these areas as opportunities to create balance and build a more united LACRALO, and are supportive of the GNSO Principle on Potential Change of Regions (August 2008) which states that “ICANN regions should seek to balance three goals: diversity of representation, ease of participation, and simplicity” and such simplicity “should be balanced with the evolving needs of ICANN’s supporting organisations and other bodies.” A Path Forward Today the “C” in LACRALO means “CROSSROADS”. There are several options: 1. Stay We recognise that as a while we do have two different perspectives on many matters, LACRALO as a whole is poised to become stronger and more inclusive by recognising, reviewing and where possible representing both views. In the Caribbean we perceive our differences as strengths, which give us two separate but equally important vantage points to appreciate the whole. As such, we consider that the Latin American Region not only gains from our perspective in conformance with ICANN’s Core Values, but also benefits by our native and dexterous use of English in reading, discussing, presenting arguments and written contribution on behalf of the entire region of LACRALO. At times, we have not felt willingness by our partners to look beyond their blinkers but we are hopeful that they will recognise the importance of building a framework of balance, not only in light of the above but to create unity and cohesion in LACRALO. In order to encourage this step and in consideration of the diversity of representation, ease of participation, and simplicity goals highlighted above, we have proposed a LACRALO Bye Law modification, such that one of the LACRALO Representatives to ALAC come from the Caribbean Region. This remains our preferred option. 2. Seek alignment with NARALO While we have to go back a few centuries to find commonality in our histories, both NARALO and the Caribbean Region share the same language and akin perspectives on many areas, including our view of democracy. These positives give a strong impression that the Caribbean may find a better fit with NARALO in order to contribute and represent. We are fully aware that it is near impossible to find perfect alignment as the Caribbean region has a clear identity and there will always be distinct aspect of our perspective. In this respect the Caribbean region will only add to the diversity and widen the viewpoint of whichever RALO it belongs to; what is crucial is that value be given to that view when it is expressed. 3. New “Small Island Developing State” RALO (SIDSRALO) We recognise that adding a new region to the existing geographic regional framework results in increased costs for ICANN and perhaps reduced net budget for each RALO. Despite this cost issue, we recognise that the Core Values must prevail and there is merit in having a new grouping specific to the needs of Small Island Developing States like ours. Many of the smaller islands in our region are not represented because of limited resources and we agree that ICANN’s structures and processes should lower barriers for participation and engagement by community members as much as practicable. By forming this new grouping we can leverage on our collective skills to support smaller members not only in the Caribbean but globally, who will have almost identical issues. Perhaps the main drawback with a SIDSRALO would be that we would be geographically dispersed and have to travel long distances for face to face meetings such as a General Assembly. 4. Hybrid This is a mix of option 1 or 2 with the additional support of forming a special interest group by small Islands or similar culture groupings. This is a mechanism of gaining the benefits of both worlds and would facilitate that our voices are represented in both ways. However, this would require additional funding to facilitate representation at meetings, calls, working groups etc. of the particular special interest group. Closing Points The Caribbean ALSes consider that the Interim Report of the Geographic Regions Working Group documents the existing situation, highlights the issues arising and connects these to ICANN’s Core Values. We however feel that there must be a much firmer embrace of ICANN Core values in terms of balance, representation, participation. Notwithstanding the differences and issues that exist, the Caribbean has a deep level of fidelity and attachment, and we wish to work and function as an equal partner in LACRALO. In this statement we have highlighted options to provide balanced contributions and acknowledge that the simplest of these can be realised in the immediate sense with a few adjustments to LACRALO Charter. We laud the Working Group, specifically with regard to identifying and detailing the specific needs of Small Island Developing States and will readily endorse such grouping in whatever form. We hope that this step forward is not negated by issues of funding, as the underlying aim of this assessment is to encourage ICANN’s Core Values. We must always seek out, cherish and ensure effective representation.