2007-04-25 - ICANN Fellowship Proposal

Theresa Swinehart spoke to this proposal to implement the ICANN Fellowships program. She noted that it had been under development for some time and that it derived from the ICANN Operational Plan project 4F to create a program to encourage and find participation by interested parties in developing countries.

Theresa explained that there had been extensive analysis of who might qualify for a fellowship and that subject to Board approval staff would invite applications for fellowships for the next ICANN meeting at San Juan, Puerto Rico. She said that the program was intended to improve participation in ICANN meetings and processes for resident citizens from countries /territories with low, lower-middle and upper middle income as classified by the World Bank.

Peter Dengate Thrush offered congratulations on the development of the program but asked why the fellowships appeared limited only to ICANN supporting organizations or committees. Theresa explained that while any resident citizen of a qualifying country could apply, the target audience for the program will be government representatives that wish to participate in the Governmental Advisory Committee, the ccTLD community and the non-profit sector not associated with the At-Large Advisory Committee. The At-Large Advisory Committee already administers its own funding for these purposes.

Steve Goldstein asked whether the money for the program had been budgeted. Paul Twomey advised that it had.

Rita Rodin supported the program and asked whether there was evidence that the program would get the desired results. Vint Cerf noted that the International Telecommunications Union had success with a program that offered subsidization for lower income countries.

Vanda Scartezini also expressed support for this proposal and welcomed the precautions to avoid fraud. Her experience led her to believe that there needed to be rigorous measures in place. Paul Twomey noted that the program would be funded annually and that Puerto Rico would be the first occasion the program would be run. It would serve as a useful opportunity for a close examination of the program's implementation prior to the commencement of the new financial year and re-committal of any funds

Janis Karklins believed this was a very good initiative. He noted that the list of countries included big and prosperous countries like the Russian Federation, or Poland, Latvia and Hungary – members of the European Union, amongst others. He thought that priority should be given to smaller and less developed economies.

Alejandro Pisanty moved and Vanda Scartezini seconded the following motion:

RESOLVED [07.35] that the ICANN Fellowships Program be approved for implementation.