Work Stream 2 Community Coordination Group | 12 July 2022 at 13:00 UTC
Hi Everyone, Once again, my sincere apologies for missing most of the meeting on 12 July. I have since then listened to the meeting recording and wish to offer some comments that I would have made if I’d been online earlier in the hour. With regard to the 7 elements of Diversity in the WS2 Report, the SSAC certainly supports these elements as a common starting point. Indeed, the following SSAC Correspondence documents are relevant: - SSAC2018-02 dated 3 January 2018 noted in its review of the WS2 Draft Recommendations to Improve Diversity that “The SSAC is generally supportive of the recommendations and notes the observation that the elements of diversity identified in the report may have varying importance in different contexts, situations or groups within ICANN." - SSAC2018-25 dated 3 October 2018 advised of the SSAC Approval of the CCWG-Accountability-WS2 Final Report (encompassing the Diversity Recommendations). In offering this support, I agree with the comments offered by Pam during the meeting (minute 27) that not all elements are applicable in every situation, and Pam observed that this was also acknowledged in the WS2 Report (“…all identified elements of diversity are relevant and may have varying importance in different contexts, situations, or groups within ICANN.”) Sebastien commented much later in the meeting (minute 49) that he felt that the 7th element (Stakeholder Group or Constituency) “...is not a diversity issue at the level of each group. It is a diversity issue at the global level. …We don’t need to take that into account…”. I do see that for most SO/ACs, this element is probably not relevant, but had I been on the call, I would have made the point in response to Sebastien that this element is relevant for the SSAC. The SSAC seeks members with SSR (Security, Stability and Resiliency) skills and experience from a range of stakeholder backgrounds so that its advice can be well-informed by input from these different perspectives. In any case, given that this element is relevant “at the global level” which I interpret to mean for the Board and groups such as the NomCom, then I do think it should remain on the list. In response to my comments on taking a “no impediment/no discrimination" approach for elements such as age, gender and disability rather than a “meet a quota” approach, Sebastien commented, using age as an example, that “..we can’t put that aside…” (minute 56). I really don’t think our views disagree too much, Sebastien. These elements are important, and should not be put aside, but I think there are sensitivities involved if you try to collect data on them or follow a “representational” approach. What I was trying to say was that these elements need to be addressed slightly differently to achieve the desired outcome. To finish off, I thought I would share a brief summary of what the SSAC has done following the approval of the WS2 report by the Board. The SSAC has taken this report, and specifically the Diversity Recommendations, into account in its annual review of membership by the SSAC Administrative Committee as well as in the work of the Membership Committee. I have summarized this in the attached document titled: SSAC Implementation of Diversity Recommendation 1. I look forward to our next meeting and hopefully I’ll get the time right!! :-) Cheers, Julie On 12 Jul 2022, at 5:04 am, Devan Reed <devan.reed@icann.org> wrote: Dear Julie, Just a reminder about the Community Coordination Group call scheduled for 13:00 UTC on 12 July. We plan to discuss each SO/AC/Group’s expectations and needs for subject matter assistance that the diversity consultant can provide, as we understand that different groups may have different concerns and considerations regarding each of the diversity elements. As such, we hope that you will be able to attend the call to provide your input. CCG Meeting Framing: Consultant conversation: In principle, do each of your communities agree that the 7 key elements of diversity should be used as a common starting point for all diversity considerations within ICANN? Are there objections to any of these elements at a high-level? (not looking for additional elements, but with these as the foundational understanding) As the team supporting all of you, we anticipated that each of your groups might have different needs supporting implementation of these 7 key elements - this is where we thought the diversity consultant might help. Today, we’d like to hear from each of you as to where your community anticipates gaps, would benefit from subject matter expertise, or needs support with implementation of the 7 key elements. If your community hasn’t yet had this conversation, please share that as well. We recognize that each group has their way of approaching all the work before them. As it pertains to Rec 1.1, we want to make sure that we are utilizing the consultant resource in a way that fits your needs. Thank you! Kind regards, Devan, Alp, and Melissa
participants (1)
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Julie Hammer