Public Comment

Public Comment is a vital part of our multistakeholder model. It provides a mechanism for stakeholders to have their opinions and recommendations formally and publicly documented. It is an opportunity for the ICANN community to effect change and improve policies and operations.

GNSO Working Group Guidelines

Open: 18 January 2011
Closed: 8 February 2011

Explanation/Background: As part of the GNSO Improvements Process, which has as its objective to improve the structure and operations of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), the Policy Process Steering Committee (PPSC) has now submitted to the GNSO Council the proposed GNSO Working Group Guidelines (see http://gnso.icann.org/improvements/gnso-working-group-guidelines-final-10dec10-en.pdf [PDF, 626 KB]). Prior to considering the proposed GNSO Working Group Guidelines, the GNSO Council is seeking your input. Comments on the proposed GNSO Working Group Guidelines [PDF, 626 KB] can be submitted until 8 February 2011 (see details below). Following the public comment period, the GNSO Council will review the comments received and determine whether additional modifications need to be made to the document or whether the document is ready for adoption following which it will be incorporated in the GNSO's Operating Procedures and become applicable to all new GNSO Working Groups.

Background: In the past, the GNSO decided policy mainly through small legislative bodies called "Task Forces." Intentionally, it is moving towards a more inclusive, representative model where key parties tackle an issue together as a "Working Group". This Working Group Model should become the focal point for policy development and enhance the policy development process by making it more inclusive and representative, and – ultimately – more effective and efficient.  

The PPSC tasked a Working Group Work Team (WG WT) to define this new Working Group model. The WG WT prepared a first draft that was put out for public comment, following which it reviewed the comments and modified [DOC, 188 KB] the document accordingly. In addition, the PPSC identified a number of issues that were subsequently addressed [DOC, 48 KB] by the WG WT.

The proposed GNSO Working Group Guidelines, as approved by the PPSC, bring together all the different elements of the Working Group process; it addresses what should be considered in creating, chartering, staffing, and instructing/guiding a WG to accomplish the desired outcome, and; secondly, what guidance should be provided to a WG on elements such as structure, decision-making, tasking, reporting, and delivering the outcome(s) as chartered.

Background documents / links

Staff member responsible: Marika Konings

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments