Dear all,
Thank you all for your effort exerted on MEAC engagement strategy for the coming years!
ِBefore the strategy content , I think the strategy
should be clearly named
MEAC Engagement Strategy in all web pages ‘cause it’s mentioned as “
MEAC strategy” in the main strategy web page: https://www.icann.org/public-comments/meac-strategy-2016-10-27-en which makes misunderstanding for instance and could make anyone think of the strategy mission or overall objective as a limited mission or objective unless s/he knew it's particularly for engagement , "
attract more active and engaged participants from the region to contribute to ICANN's policy development processes and to acquire leading roles within the ICANN community”.
Actually , even regardless to that , the MEAC Engagement Strategy focus areas and objectives are great and clearly aligned with ICANN 2016-2020 strategic plan objectives in the region, but they are not reflected by or reflecting the mission and the overall objective "
attract more active and engaged participants from the region to contribute to ICANN's policy development processes and to acquire leading roles within the ICANN community”. Maybe the overall objective or mission should address evolving
the internet ecosystem in the region and engaging it to the global internet
ecosystem through ICANN, I mean something like what's mentioned in the WG charter :
“ The strategy is expected to understand the needs of
the Internet ecosystem in the region as well as tackle the obstacles and
challenges that hinder its development.”.
Related to the strategy content:
1- I suggest an additional action that falls under focus area FA1 & FA2 related to DNS infrastructure & marketplace :
To found a regional expertise pool or Think Tank from
technical experts, lawyers, and policy makers who can operate as a
sustainable reference and consultants for present and future DNS related issues
in the region, and who stay updated of the best practices in regional and
global level. It would be also a seed for many
DNS-related local & regional initiatives and future related studies, researches, consultancies, & policies across the region. It’s good to see a MEAC Internet Governance Think Tank as a sustainable
outcome from the strategy like the DNS-EC which was one of the implementation outcomes of
2013-2016 strategy.
2- An addition related mostly to 5.1.1.2 (objectives of FA1) where the lack of related laws is a huge obstacle in our region :
to reinforce the policy and
law environment for a secure, stable, and resilient DNS by raising the awareness of the LEAs, decision makers, and policy developers, and encourage them to draft and state
specific laws that provide a secure environment for internet and DNS industry
or marketplace.
*And a metric should be added accordingly :
The number of laws,
treaties, or charters stated to contribute in enhancing the DNS marketplace and
DNS security, stability, & resiliency.
3- Additional actions under
FA3 (Clarify ICANN’s role …)under objective 1:
To design ICANN curriculum divided into tracks, each of which represents a stakeholder group illustrating (the
stakeholder group within ICANN context and global internet governance, the
importance or necessity to get engaged in ICANN work under this group, How they
can be engaged under this group, resources & contact points). Then the volunteers in the implementation
plan of MEAC Engagement Strategy should act as ICANN ambassadors to multiple stakeholders
in their countries.
* Additional metric accordingly under FA3:
- The number of
governments in the region joined GAC.
- The number of new ALSes,
IGFs or any IG related entity or initiative or activity per country (I mean
as indicator on the size or percentage of outreach coverage distribution and
balance among all or most of the countries in the region).
Please excuse any trivial or out of context comments, I know that some of what I mentioned maybe related to the implementation plan more than the general strategy but as I saw the strategy discussed certain level of actions that can be taken to attain the objectives.
Best Regards,
Amal Al-saqqaf