ICANN Reform - a proposal

[Rob Blokzijl <]

Dear All,

   on 24 February 2002 the President and CEO of ICANN, Stuart Lynn,
published a discussion document that

   -1- analyses the current problems and shortcomings of ICANN, and

   -2- proposes a new structure for a reformed ICANN.

   This document can be found at

       http://www.icann.org/accra/reform-topic.htm

   A first reaction by the RIPE NCC has been published on 1 March 2002,
and can be found at

       http://www.ripe.net/ripencc/about/regional/icann-reform.html

   Furthermore, some (personal) opinions from the IETF Chair, Harald
Alvestrand, can be found at

       http://www.alvestrand.no/icann/icann_reform.html       

   All this is of the utmost importance to both RIPE and the RIPE NCC. I
would therefore strongly encourage the RIPE community to read these
documents very carefully, and start a discussion on their implications.
It is clear that we are at a crossroads as far as ICANN is concerned, and
that we might have a last opportunity to do it right this time.

   The status of the proposal is as follows:

       - the proposal was presented to the ICANN Board on 23 February
       - the Board discussed it on 23-24 February
       - the board decided to publish the document and ask for input
         from all affected parties
       - the board will at some time in the (near) future take a decission
         on restructuring ICANN. This will not happen at the forthcoming
         Board meeting in Accra
   
   I suggest to use this list ripe-list@localhost for further
discussions. I will certainly use this list to let my own views be known.


   Best regards,

   Rob Blokzijl
   RIPE Chairman
   ICANN Director