Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » ICANN Pandemic Internet Access Reimbursement Program Pilot
Important note: The explanatory text provided through this database (including the summary, implementation actions, identification of related resolutions, and additional information) is an interpretation or an explanation that has no official authority and does not represent the purpose behind the Board actions, nor does any explanations or interpretations modify or override the Resolutions themselves. Resolutions can only be modified through further act of the ICANN Board.
ICANN Pandemic Internet Access Reimbursement Program Pilot
Whereas, members of the community expressed concerns about increased hardships with constrained access to Internet bandwidth, limiting participation in ICANN Public Meetings during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Whereas, ICANN President and CEO Göran Marby directed ICANN org, with the support of other Board members, to explore options to facilitate the support of bandwidth connectivity limitations and address fiscal challenges for community members to participate in ICANN Public Meetings for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whereas, ICANN org has developed the ICANN Pandemic Internet Access Reimbursement Program Pilot that provides reasonable financial support to eligible community members to support and facilitate their active participation in ICANN69.
Whereas, ICANN org intends to run this pilot program for ICANN69, and will evaluate the viability of continuing this program for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resolved (2020.08.27.01), the Board acknowledges and supports ICANN org's efforts to provide a pilot program for ICANN69, which addresses the hardships of those community members who have constrained access to Internet bandwidth that limits their ability to participate in ICANN Public Meetings during this COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board's support of ICANN org piloting a limited and low-cost bandwidth reimbursement program furthers ICANN's ongoing mission of fostering active and meaningful community participation and is therefore in the public interest. This goal is especially important during these challenging times, with many community members balancing increased responsibilities while also contributing to the important work done within the ICANN community.
The scope of the program is limited to active members of a Supporting Organization (SO) or Advisory Committee (AC) who have been ICANN funded travelers within the 18 months prior to ICANN69. Applicants who do not meet these criteria must have been selected to participate in the current ICANN69 Fellowship or NextGen programs to be eligible.
There will be a limited fiscal impact of approximately USD 51,000 or less, depending on participation level of eligible participants. This program is intended to be a pilot only, which will be reviewed and extended as required to address the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on community participation. This will not have a direct impact on the security, stability or resiliency of the domain name system.
This is an Organizational Administrative function that does not require public comment.