Changes

==Summary of Proposed Changes, November 2015==

==Summary of Proposed Changes, November 2015==

In a blog post from 15 November 2015, ICANN outlined a summary of changes proposed by the CCWG. They are as follows:

In a blog post from 15 November 2015, ICANN outlined a summary of changes proposed by the CCWG. They are as follows:

* A revised Mission statement for the ICANN Bylaws that sets out what ICANN does. This Mission statement clarifies but does not change ICANN's historic mission

* A revised Mission statement for the ICANN Bylaws that sets out what ICANN does. This Mission statement clarifies but does not change ICANN's historic mission

An enhanced Independent Review Process and redress process with a broader scope and the power to ensure ICANN stays within its revised Mission

* An enhanced Independent Review Process and redress process with a broader scope and the power to ensure ICANN stays within its revised Mission

New specific powers for the ICANN community that can be enforced when the usual methods of discussion and dialogue have not effectively built consensus including the powers to:

* New specific powers for the ICANN community that can be enforced when the usual methods of discussion and dialogue have not effectively built consensus including the powers to:

* Reject ICANN Budgets, Operating Plans, or Strategic Plans

** Reject ICANN Budgets, Operating Plans, or Strategic Plans

* Reject changes to ICANN's Bylaws

** Reject changes to ICANN's Bylaws

* Approve changes to new Fundamental Bylaws (see below)

** Approve changes to new Fundamental Bylaws

* Remove an individual ICANN Director from the Board

** Remove an individual ICANN Director from the Board

* Recall the entire ICANN Board

** Recall the entire ICANN Board

 

* An additional new power that gives the community a say in decisions about the IANA Function Reviews and any separation of the IANA Names Functions.

An additional new power that gives the community a say in decisions about the IANA Function Reviews and any separation of the IANA Names Functions.

All of these community powers can only be exercised after extensive community discussions and debates through processes of engagement and escalation. The process of escalation provides many opportunities for the resolution of disagreements between the parties before formal action is required.

All of these community powers can only be exercised after extensive community discussions and debates through processes of engagement and escalation. The process of escalation provides many opportunities for the resolution of disagreements between the parties before formal action is required.

The accountability elements outlined above will be supported through:

The accountability elements outlined above will be supported through:

* Additions to the ICANN Bylaws to create an [[ICANN Empowered Community]] that is based on a simple legal vehicle that will act on the instructions of ICANN stakeholder groups to exercise the Community Powers. The Empowered Community is granted the status of a Designator (a recognized role in law) and has the standing to enforce the Community Powers if needed.

* Additions to the [[ICANN Bylaws]] to create an [[ICANN Empowered Community]] that is based on a simple legal vehicle that will act on the instructions of ICANN [[Stakeholder Groups to exercise the Community Powers. The Empowered Community is granted the status of a Designator (a recognized role in law) and has the standing to enforce the Community Powers if needed.

* Core elements of ICANN's governing documents (the Articles and Bylaws) being categorized as Fundamental Bylaws that can only be changed with an agreement between the ICANN community and the ICANN Board.

* Core elements of ICANN's governing documents (the Articles and Bylaws) being categorized as Fundamental Bylaws that can only be changed with an agreement between the ICANN community and the ICANN Board.

In addition, further proposed changes include:

In addition, further proposed changes include:

 

* A recognition of ICANN's respect for Human Rights

*A recognition of ICANN's respect for Human Rights

* Incorporation of ICANN's commitments under the 2009 Affirmation of Commitments with the United States Department of Commerce into the Bylaws, where appropriate

*Incorporation of ICANN's commitments under the 2009 Affirmation of Commitments with the United States Department of Commerce into the Bylaws, where appropriate

* Improved accountability and diversity for ICANN's Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees

Improved accountability and diversity for ICANN's Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees

* A commitment to discussing additional accountability improvements and broader accountability enhancements in 2016, following the implementation of this core set of accountability improvements

* A commitment to discuss additional accountability improvements and broader accountability enhancements in 2016, following the implementation of this core set of accountability improvements

To develop these recommendations to improve ICANN's accountability, the Working Group:

To develop these recommendations to improve ICANN's accountability, the Working Group:

* Relied on suggestions and proposals generated inside the Working Group and by the broader Internet multistakeholder community

* Relied on suggestions and proposals generated inside the Working Group and by the broader Internet multistakeholder community

* Conducted public comment periods to gather feedback on earlier drafts and discussed iterations of its recommendations across the world at ICANN meetings and through online webinars

* Conducted public comment periods to gather feedback on earlier drafts and discussed iterations of its recommendations across the world at ICANN meetings and through online webinars