[ncdnhc-discuss] Comments to reform committee on open, closed meetings, records of meetings

[James Love]

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Love" <james.love at cptech.org>
To: <reform-comments at icann.org>
Cc: "Andrew McLaughlin" <mclaughlin at pobox.com>; "Robin Layton"
<RLayton at ntia.doc.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 7:18 AM
Subject: Open, closed meetings, records of meetings

It is very objectionable that ICANN is holding closed meetings, without
records of what happens, to discuss "reform" of ICANN.    These meetings
should be open.   Moreover, all ICANN board meetings, including those on the
telephone, should be recorded, and made available to the public as MA3
files, as is the case now for DNSO Names Council meetings.  This is basic
stuff for an organization that wants to build trust, rather than paranoia,
in its activities.

ICANN has done a very good job of putting its agreements on the Internet,
and this is appreciated. But ICANN might also consider some type of an "open
records" policy, similar to the types of open records that some governments
have now, and ICANN might also review the debate over transparency for the
WTO and other UN based organizations, to see if it is appropriate to provide
additional access to documents.   We were told for example that a paper
presented to ICANN from Christopher Wilkinson, "ICANN II - Issues to be
resolved," is not public.   This type of process is secretive, and should be
avoided.   The board needs to appreciate that limits on its freedom to act
are necessary for it to obtain authority to act.

Jamie

--------------------------------
James Love mailto:james.love at cptech.org
http://www.cptech.org +1.202.387.8030 mobile +1.202.361.3040