"This is a means- tested program. Applicants must either be citizens of eligible countries listed in the World Bank classification as low, lower-middle, and upper-middle economies, or listed in one of the three (3) UN groupings of developing and least developed nations: the AIMS, Pacific and Caribbean which are all Members of SIDN and eligible for consideration in the Program. The UN Listing of SIDN is based on distinctly different criteria that stretch beyond the World Bank's economically deterministic view."

Why is ICANN adhering to the rules of the World Bank? Who decided that and why? ICANN can and should be capable of thinking for itself as an organization at all times. A vote to abandon any adherence to the World Bank which has nothing to do with ICANN should be brought forth, to rewrite this policy asap. ICANN members and participants are not employees of the World Bank, there is no partnership between ICANN and the World Bank. What the fellowship policy amounts to is laziness to otherwise think of an independent metric.

Ron