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Test Drive for the “Reply Cycle” Concept for Public Comments Process

12 October 2011
By Filiz Yilmaz

The Initial Comment Period for "Phase II of Public Comments Process Enhancements" ended on 30 September 2011. On the same day, as an initial test of the "Reply Cycle" concept introduced within this solicitation, the comment forum on this topic was extended for an additional 15 days, until 15 October 2011.

We have a few more days before this date. Please help improve ICANN’s Public Comment Process by providing your feedback before this "Reply" cycle ends and the public comment period on this topic closes.

During this "Reply" period, contributors are asked to address only previously posted comments. Please do not use this extension to submit new comments about the topic. For each Reply, it will be helpful to everyone for the contributor to cite the original poster’s name, comment date, and any particular text that is pertinent.

At the conclusion of the Reply Cycle, a consolidated Report will incorporate both the initial comment and subsequent reply periods.

To view comments previously submitted and to submit a reply, please see the Public Comment Box: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-enhancements-ii-31aug11-en.htm

To view the original announcement, please see: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-31aug11-en.htm

For those who would like to know more about this effort, below is some background information.

Phase I activities to improve ICANN’s Public Comment Process were implemented effective 30 June 2011, relating to Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT) recommendations #15, 16, 17 and 21. In that first phase, staff completely redesigned web pages, added new navigation menus, streamlined Announcement and Public Comment Box formats, and introduced an "Upcoming Topics" feature. New standardized data fields were added across all solicitations (e.g., Originating Organization, Purpose, Current Status, Next Steps) and opening and closing dates and times were clarified. To support these improvements, staff also created internal document templates to facilitate publication and ensure presentation consistency in these pages.

After the launch of the redesigned Public Comment web pages, the staff worked with a focus group of ICANN community volunteers appointed by ICANN community leaders, to gather initial feedback on further improvements.

These further improvements are now available for wider community review and feedback though this public comment period as mentioned above until 15 October.  The public comment features a staff report where focus group feedback is referenced and linked for each relevant topic. The overall effort supports the implementation of the ATRT Recommendations relating to how community members provide input on ICANN matters.

Authors

Filiz Yilmaz