Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
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How do I participate?
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| What does ICANN do? |
| What's the effect on the Net? |
| What is going on now? |
| How do I participate? |
In answer to the question: What is going on now?, a number of resources including the public comment webpage, ICANN blog, public participation site and meetings sites were listed.
Each of these pages also allow for direct and immediate interaction into ICANN's processes. Each public comment box provide a clickable email address where your comments will be sent straight through the public comment forum. All comments made will be reviewed by ICANN staff and included in a summary/analysis at the close of the forum. That summary will then be provided to the body in question and that body will be asked to explicitly refer to it during subsequent discussions.
The blog allows any individual to make their point in response to a posting direct to the author and the organisation - and in most cases receive a quick response. So if you wish to make a point or draw ICANN's attention to something you think it may have missed this is a direct route into the process. Likewise, the public participation site aims to provides a similar service within the wider community. Staff review the site and any questions or concerns are swiftly dealt with.
If you would prefer to make your point in the real world, then the ICANN meetings are free and open to all. At each ICANN meeting, there are two public forums on the first and penultimate day that are specifically set aside for anyone that wishes to raise a point to walk up to the microphone and talk directly to Board members. The vast majority of the other meetings are also open, and often welcome new and interested members.
If you wish to attend an ICANN meeting but funding is an issue, ICANN runs a Fellowship programme that covers the cost of approximately 40 individuals each meeting. For more details on this programme and how to apply, go here.
You needn't even physically be at a meeting in order to have your voice heard. Each meeting has its own interactive website that provides a separate webpage for each meeting during the week. That page is updated with people's presentations, a chatroom, plus - if available - live audio and video. In most of the main meetings, comments placed online are reviewed by someone in the room and are read out to the meeting as a whole.
Supporting organisations and advisory committees
If you wish to get more deeply involved in drawing up documents, rather than commenting on the results of others' work, the solution is to join one of ICANN's supporting organisations or advisory committees.
There are a number of organisations and committees (the full structure is here), and you can join whichever most relates to your input - whether as an ISP, a non-commerical company, or just a member of the public. Other members will help explain how ICANN works and how to make the most of your input.
For more information on the Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees, you can find their websites below:
- Addressing Supporting Organization (ASO)
- Country Code Names Supporting Organisation (ccNSO)
- Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO)
- At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC)
- Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC)
If you care about the Internet and how it evolves, your voice will only be heard if you get involved, so please do take advantage of the different ways there are to interact with ICANN. We look forward to seeing you.