[council] Regarding Ethics and conflicts of interest

["Bruce Tonkin" <Bruce.Tonkin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello All,

I have noticed a few newspaper articles and posting on forums like
CircleID on how ICNAN is reviewing its policies for Conflicts of
Interest and Ethics.

I just want to let you know that this is a topic of active discussion on
the Board.

For example, at the Board Governance Committee meeting on 15 August
2011:

http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-bgc-15aug11-en.htm

" 5.Ethics and Conflicts of Interest - 

The BGC began a discussion on the issues surrounding Board and staff
ethics issues.  The BGC discussed that as a private sector organization,
ICANN is limited in its ability to place restrictions on future
employment, though there are many things that ICANN can do to address
these concerns, such as continued strict adherence and enforcement of
confidentiality provisions.  The BGC noted that the conflicts/ethics
discussion has been going on within ICANN prior to the approval of the
new gTLD program.  The BGC agreed that community discussion should occur
in Dakar about this issue. 

Action: 

Staff to draft proposed guidelines for Board members and staff members,
to provide additional information and guidance through the use of
examples, for BGC consideration at its September workshop, in
preparation for community discussion in October. "


This was topic discussed further in the Board Governance Committee last
week on Thursday 15 September (I will post information on the
resolutions once they are posted on the Board Governance Committee
website), and with the Board as a whole on Saturday 17 September.

You will see from the minutes above - that this will be a discussion
item in Dakar.


So just want to reassure that the concerns raised by members of the GNSO
Council in Singapore are being followed up, and there will be more to
report in Singapore.


Regards,
Bruce Tonkin