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Public Participation

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Find out how many people have visited ICANN meeting websites over time on our meeting website stats page.

We also have a breakdown and analysis for general participation at ICANN meetings (how many meetings people have attended and how many they attend each year).

 


 

ICANN has both a General Manager of Public Participation, and a Board Committee focussed on public participation.

 

Public Participation is something that we take very seriously at ICANN as much of the organization's legitimacy comes from the fact that it seeks to represent the interest of a wide range of stakeholders.

 

To be effective in that role, it is vital that public participation is effective, simple and encouraged at every level of the organization.

 

Some examples of where participation is given a key role within ICANN's processes are:

 

  • The three international public meetings that ICANN holds each year, rotating from region to region
  • Public comment periods at every stage in the production of substantative work
  • Open mailing lists
  • Recordings, minutes or transcripts of every significant meeting
  • Extensive remote participation efforts at ICANN meetings
  • Question and answer sessions as a default in public meetings

 

 

General Manager of Public Participation

In Article III, Section 3 of its bylaws, ICANN has a designated Manager of Public Participation role "that shall be responsible, under the direction of the President, for coordinating the various aspects of public participation in ICANN, including the Website and various other means of communicating with and receiving input from the general community of Internet users."

That role is currently filled by Kieren McCarthy.

 

Public Participation Committee of the Board

A specific Board Committee for Public Participation was created at ICANN's Cairo meeting in November 2008. Its details are below:

     
Jean-Jacques Subrenat    
Jean-Jacques Subrenat
Chair [biography]
    
  
Dennis JenningsKatim TourayKatim TourayDave Wodelet 

Dennis Jennings
Member [biography]

Thomas Narten
Non-voting Member [biography]
Katim Touray
Member [biography]
Dave Wodelet
Member [biography]
 

 

Minutes

 

Background

The Public Participation Committee was established by the Board at its 7 November 2008 meeting.

 

Charter

The Committee's charter was adopted and approved by the Board on 6 March 2009.

Members of the Committee

Dennis Jennings, Jean-Jacques Subrenat (Chair), Katim Touray and Dave Wodelet.

Presentations at ICANN Public Meetings

March 2009 - Mexico City