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Community Input on Draft 2012-2015 Strategic Plan

3 October 2011

Comment Period Deadlines (*) Important Information Links
Public Comment Box
Open Date: 3 October 2011 To Submit Your Comments (Forum Closed)
Close Date: 17 November 2011 Time (UTC): 23:59 View Comments Submitted

Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose

ICANN continues to pursue the Strategic Planning process in accordance with our published timeline. We are posting a draft version of the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan that is the result of community consultation and staff work. We are soliciting your feedback and comments.

There are two versions:

The overall structure of the Strategic Plan has remained consistent with last year's plan.  Based upon the input sessions with SO/AC and Staff, some major themes emerged that are in the plan:

  • Last year, there was focus on the IANA follow-on contract risk – this year it was not widely discussed which is evidence that strong support action was/is being taken
  • The DNS Stability & Security message moves beyond DNS to include IP addresses and parameters (the Unique Identifiers – per ICANN's Mission)
  • The Whois database policy and procedures will receive increased attention
  • Acknowledgement that Law Enforcement is engaging more
  • The New gTLD Program is raising the awareness and profile of ICANN all around the globe – "the New gTLD Program intensifies everything at ICANN"
  • Provided  for effective and constructive early participation of the GAC in the policy development process
  • There will be new stakeholders and categories of stakeholders brought into the ICANN multi-stakeholder model in the next few years
  • ICANN needs to better define principles for internationalization to steer decisions and expansion
  • ICANN needs better enterprise-wide processes and systems (not just Finance) to operate in the future
  • ICANN is an exemplary multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance
  • ICANN meetings present a unique opportunity for ICANN to deliver on the Mission – how meetings can evolve to be more effective

This draft is based upon.

  • GNSO IPC input on August 29, 2011 (concerns over Whois, rights protection mechanisms, ICANN lack of neutrality and ethics)
  • ALAC input on August 29, 2011 (outreach to the "edges" of the community, developing country participation, development of metrics)
  • GNSO RySG input on August 29, 2011 (ease of participation, early GAC involvement in policy development process and work to execute the adoption of IDNA 2008, cost benefit analysis of SSR, engaging new stakeholders)
  • ccNSO Singapore input on June 20, 2011 (a session to receive ccNSO input is scheduled)
  • ICANN Team Brainstorm session dated June 2, 2011
  • ICANN Staff Focus Area Working Sessions
  • Strategic Metrics Updates – Staff Input
  • ATRT Recommendations report – June 22, 2011
  • ICANN Staff review of Draft: multiple inputs 

The public comment period will close on 17 November 2011. The draft plan will be revised based on the comments received. A final version of the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan will be submitted to the Board for approval at their upcoming meeting in December 2011.

2012-2015 Strategic Plan Draft Development Next Steps:

2012-2015  Strategic Plan Draft Development Next Steps

We appreciate your important contribution to ICANN's 2012-2015 strategic planning process. 

Section II: Background
ICANN produces a three-year Strategic Plan (reviewed and updated annually) and an annual Operating Plan. As part of the strategic planning process each year, ICANN considers major internal and external events that have occurred since the last writing of the plan.  The last plan was posted in December 2010 and approved in February 2011. 
Section III: Document and Resource Links

This year's approved Strategic Plan 2011-2014 [PDF, 3.37 MB] – posted after being adopted by the ICANN Board at the Silicon Valley Meeting – has incorporated strategic metrics based on extensive community input, review and public forums held in both Cartagena and Silicon Valley.

Section IV: Additional Information
The Strategic Plan informs the Operating Plan and Budget and helps to define ICANN's yearly goals and priorities, and will be considered for adoption by the Board.
Staff Contact: Carole Cornell, Senior Director Project Management Email: carole.cornell@icann.org

(*) Comments submitted after the posted Close Date/Time are not guaranteed to be considered in any final summary, analysis, reporting, or decision-making that takes place once this period lapses.