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{{CompanyInfo|logo=NCUC_text_below.jpg|twitter=NCUC|website=http://www.ncuc.org|members=500+}}
{{CompanyInfo|logo=NCUC_text_below.jpg|twitter=NCUC|website=http://www.ncuc.org|members=500+}}
The '''Non-Commercial Users Constituency''' ('''NCUC''') is the home for civil society organisations, public interest groups, and individuals in ICANN’s [[Generic Names Supporting Organization]] (GNSO).
The '''Non-Commercial Users Constituency''' ('''NCUC''') is the home for civil society organisations, public interest groups, and individuals in ICANN’s [[Generic Names Supporting Organization]] (GNSO). It is the most diverse body in the GNSO, with over 500 members in over 100 countries.
The NCUC amplifies the voice of individuals and civil society organizations in the development of the Domain Name System and this area of the Internet’s infrastructure. The NCUC has significant voting power in ICANN’s policy-making processes and its members work diligently to develop and support positions that favour non-commercial communication and activity online.
The NCUC amplifies the voice of individuals and civil society organizations in the development of the [[Domain Name System]] and this area of the Internet’s infrastructure.
The NCUC is constituted in the ICANN Bylaws as a member of the [[NCSG|Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group]] (NCSG). Its main objective is to represent the interests and positions of individuals and the civil society involved in non-commercial Internet activities such as education, promotion of arts, religion, children's welfare, scientific research, and others using internet as a global communication method.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm#XX-5 ICANN Bylaws]</ref> The NCUC was the original voice of non-commercial interests within [[ICANN]];<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/ncsg_approved_charter NCSG Approved Charter]</ref> however, a major restructuring of the GNSO took place in 2008.<ref>[http://gnso.icann.org/en/improvements/restructure-working-group-en.htm GNSO Improvements]</ref> The new structure allows for the number of [[Consituency|constituencies]] to constantly be in flux, while providing a constant voice through the [[SG|Stakeholder Groups]]. Thus, the NCUC was the predecessor of the NCSG, and is now a part of it.
The NCUC has significant voting power in ICANN’s policy-making processes and its members work diligently to develop and support positions that favour non-commercial communication and activity online. Among other issues, the NCUC has been instrumental in developing an awareness within the ICANN community as to why the fundamental right to privacy is one which must be protected.
[[File:Stephanie Perrin.jpg|thumb|Stephanie Perrin, an accomplished civil servant, winner of the EFF Pioneer Award, and active NCUC member, speaks on privacy matters at an ICANN meeting.]]
== Standing ==
The NCUC is constituted in the ICANN Bylaws as a member of the [[NCSG|Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group]] (NCSG). Its main objective is to represent the interests and positions of individuals and the civil society involved in non-commercial Internet activities such as education, promotion of arts, religion, children's welfare, scientific research, and others using internet as a global communication method.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm#XX-5 ICANN Bylaws]</ref>
== History ==
The NCUC has a proud history that stretches back almost 20 years. It has taken principled and consistent stances in support of Internet freedoms and human rights. This non-commercial outlook has heavily influenced policy matters within ICANN today.
The NCUC was established in 1999 as the original voice of non-commercial interests within [[ICANN]].<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/ncsg_approved_charter NCSG Approved Charter]</ref> Following a major restructuring of the GNSO in 2008<ref>[http://gnso.icann.org/en/improvements/restructure-working-group-en.htm GNSO Improvements]</ref>, it was possible for the number of [[Consituency|constituencies]] to constantly be in flux, while providing a constant voice through the [[SG|Stakeholder Groups]]. Thus, the NCUC was the predecessor of the NCSG, which it is now a part of it.
[[File:Renata Aquino Ribeiro.jpg|thumb|Dr Renata Aquino Ribeiro, Chair of the NCUC, introduces the NCUC to newcomers to the ICANN community. The NCUC strives to create a welcoming environment for new members.]]
== Activities ==
The NCUC performs the following functions:
* Mobilize civil society actors to participate in ICANN.
* Elect representatives to the GNSO Council, which coordinates the policy development process for generic Top Level Domains.
* Collaborate and interact with other stakeholders in ICANN on matters of common concern, including businesses, governments, and others.
* Develop and advocate policy positions.
* Send members around the world to engage and participate in important agenda setting and decision making processes.
* Organize conferences and events exploring global Internet governance issues.
==Organizational Structure==
==Organizational Structure==
The Non-Commercial Users Constituency is composed of:<ref>[http://ncdnhc.org/page/charter-1 Charter]</ref>
The Non-Commercial Users Constituency is composed of:<ref>[http://ncdnhc.org/page/charter-1 Charter]</ref>
* '''Members''' which consist of entities primarily engaged in non-profit/non-commercial activities; they must be exclusive owners of at least one domain name verifiable in the [[Whois]] database.
* '''Members''' which consist of entities primarily engaged in non-profit/non-commercial activities; they must be exclusive owners of at least one domain name verifiable in the [[Whois]] database.
* '''Executive Committee''' is responsible for administering the different activities of the Constituency, it is headed by a chairman who is elected yearly. It also consist of a Secretary-Treasurer and one representative from every geographical region.
* '''Executive Committee''' is responsible for administering the different activities of the Constituency, it is headed by a chairman who is elected yearly. It also consist of a Vice-Chair, Secretary-Treasurer and one representative from every geographical region.
* '''Policy Committee''' is tasked to determine and represent the positions of the Constituency on issues related to domain names, ICANN policy and procedures of the [[GNSO]], ICANN policy committees, [[WG|working groups]], [[AC|advisory committees]] including policy forums. The Policy Committee is co-chaired by Constituency Representatives to the GNSO Council who are elected for two-year terms. The term of each co-chair will be terminated on an odd number and even number year to maintain the continuity of the Council.
* '''Policy Committee''' is tasked to determine and represent the positions of the Constituency on issues related to domain names, ICANN policy and procedures of the [[GNSO]], ICANN policy committees, [[WG|working groups]], [[AC|advisory committees]] including policy forums. The Policy Committee is co-chaired by Constituency Representatives to the GNSO Council who are elected for two-year terms. The term of each co-chair will be terminated on an odd number and even number year to maintain the continuity of the Council.
[[File:Rafik Dammak.jpg|thumb|Rafik Dammak, former Chair of the NCUC, and now representing the NCUC as Vice Chair of the GNSO Council, crafts policy with an NCUC member.]]
== Positions ==
The Executive Committee of the NCUC, in collaboration with NCUC members, has endorsed the following positions:
* Domain names belong to everyone
* Privacy protection in domain names
* Fair and balanced domain name disputes
* Respect for non-commercial uses and users
* Diversity and consumer choice
* Human rights
* Access to knowledge and the rights to words
* Promote growth and development
* Support a multilingual Internet
* Support global Internet governance
* Support accountable Internet governance
[[File:NCUCgeneva.png|thumb|Farzaneh Badii, former Chair of the NCUC, conducts outreach activities at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum in Geneva in December 2017 to grow the NCUC's membership.]]
== Engagement in Fora Outside of ICANN ==
The NCUC conducts engagement and outreach activities at the following events, among others:
* United Nations Internet Governance Forum
* United Nations World Summit on the Information Society
* Internet Freedom Festival
* European Dialogue on Internet Governance
== Outreach and Capacity Building Activities ==
The NCUC places great priority on developing the skills of its members. In 2018, a policy writing course will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico to improve members abilities to respond to opportunities for public comment. This is being funded through a $20,000 special budgetary request. In 2017, a two-day outreach event was held as a pre-event to ICANN 59 in Johannesburg, South Africa, where local civil society practitioners were invited to discover how their work relates to the activities of the NCUC. This event was a resounding success, organised in a bottom-up manner by the NCUC membership with a mere $7,500 from ICANN to cover to venue hire, and received praise from the local participants and the ICANN CEO.
[[File:NCUC Outreach Johannesburg.jpg|thumb|A diverse group of NCUC members facilitated the two-day Johannesburg outreach pre-event, which introduced local civil society practitioners to the DNS policy space.]]
==Groups==
==Groups==
The officers of the Noncommercial Users Constituency:
The officers of the Noncommercial Users Constituency:
{{:Data:NCUC EC}}
{{:Data:NCUC EC}}
[[File:Milton Mueller.jpg|thumb|Dr Milton Mueller, a founding NCUC member and influential scholar, speaks on policy matters at ICANN 54 in Dublin.]]
==Comments on ICANN Policy Issues==
==Comments on ICANN Policy Issues==
[[Category:ICANN Bodies]]
[[Category:ICANN Bodies]]
[[Category: Acronym]]
[[Category: Acronym]]