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As part of the Joint Project Agreement between the U.S. Department of Commerce and ICANN, the ICANN Board of Directors approved an Affirmation of Responsibilities for ICANN's Private Sector Management. Points 2 and 3 of that document refer to ICANN's intention to continue to improve processes and procedures that encourage improved transparency and accountability. As part of this commitment to continuously improving transparency and accountability, ICANN is seeking input from the community on the development of a set of Management Operating Principles. These Operating Principles will set new standards for transparency and accountability for interactions within the ICANN community and between members of the community and staff. The first part of the consultation process seeks responses to a series of questions that will shape a first draft of the principles. Responses are sought by October 31, 2006. Based on the responses received and other research, a first draft of the principles will be published for community comment in November, 2006. It is hoped that the Management Operating Principles will be adopted by the Board as part of the Strategic Plan at the Sao Paulo meeting.

Specifically, ICANN is seeking responses to the following questions:

• How would you define "transparency" in the ICANN context?
• What standards of transparency are appropriate in ICANN operations and activity?
• How would you define "accountability" in the ICANN context?
• What standards of accountability are appropriate in ICANN operations and activity?
• What specific processes and activities need to be included to ensure these standards are met?
• Are there any innovative ideas on transparency and accountability that you believe have not yet been implemented that might apply to ICANN?

Please post comments to the Operating Principles forum.

View comments at http://forum.icann.org/lists/principles-comments/