Changes

'''ICANN Accountability''' refers to [[ICANN]]'s commitment to maintaining and improving mechanisms for [[Public Comment|public input]], responsibility, and [[transparency]] so that ICANN’s decision-making processes reflect the public interest and are accountable to the Internet community.  

'''ICANN Accountability''' refers to [[ICANN]]'s commitment to maintaining and improving mechanisms for [[Public Comment|public input]], responsibility, and [[transparency]] so that ICANN’s decision-making processes reflect the public interest and are accountable to the Internet community.  

==Types==

==Types==

ICANN's 2007 Accountability and Transparency Draft Frameworks and Principles lists the types and sources of accountability that have been built into the organization since its inception.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/acct-trans-frameworks-principles-2007-06-23-en 2007 Accountability Draft Framework, ICANN]</ref>

ICANN's Accountability and Transparency Draft Frameworks and Principles lists the types and sources of accountability that have been built into the organization since its inception.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/acct-trans-frameworks-principles-2007-06-23-en 2007 Accountability Draft Framework, ICANN]</ref>

===External Accountability: Incorporated Status===

===External Accountability: Incorporated Status===

ICANN is incorporated as a non-profit public benefit corporation in California, United States, which means ICANN must abide by the laws of that California and country and can be called to account by the judicial system.

ICANN is incorporated as a non-profit public benefit corporation in California, United States, which means ICANN must abide by the laws of that California and country and can be called to account by the judicial system.

===Internal Accountability===

===Internal Accountability===

====The ICANN Bylaws====

====The ICANN Bylaws====

====The Representative Composition of the ICANN Board====

====The Representative Composition of the ICANN Board====

====Senior Staff====

 

=====Senior Staff=====

 

====NomCom====

====NomCom====

===Financial Accountability===

===Financial Accountability===

There are three stages in the ICANN financial accountability framework:  

There are three stages in the ICANN financial accountability framework:  

# planning,  

# ''planning'', which encompasses Strategic Planning, Operational Planning, and budgeting. In the first six months of each fiscal year, ICANN develops its three-year strategic plan; in the second six months of the year, ICANN develops the operating plan and the budget for the next fiscal year;

# monitoring, and  

# ''monitoring'', part of which includes the ICANN Board's two committees for reviewing ICANN’s financial affairs: the Finance Committee and the Audit Committee; and

# reporting.

# ''reporting'', part of which includes the Audit Committee's presentation to the Board of a final audited set of accounts following the end of the fiscal year, an audit report examining the standard of compliance with accounting standards, and the posting of final accounts on ICANN's website.

 

The indicator effort has since been folded into [[ICANN Organization]]'s [[Annual Report]], although it is unclear which indicators are still being tracked.  

 

===Accountability Mechanisms===

===Accountability Mechanisms===

Amendments to the [[ICANN Bylaws]] established four [[Accountability Mechanisms]] for reviewing and reconsidering ICANN actions, inactions and decisions:  

Amendments to the [[ICANN Bylaws]] established four [[Accountability Mechanisms]] for reviewing and reconsidering ICANN actions, inactions and decisions:  

* [[Reconsideration]],  

* [[Reconsideration]],  

* [[IRP|Independent Review]], and  

* [[IRP|Independent Review]], and  

* The office of the [[Ombudsman]]

* The office of the [[Ombudsman]].

==History==

==History==

Accountability, along with transparency, became a primary focal point of the [[ICANN]] community shortly after the [[NTIA]] announced its intent to transition the stewardship of the [[IANA]] functions to the global multistakeholder community. ICANN, already bestowed with the IANA functions contract and coordination of the [[DNS]], was asked to kick-start a multistakeholder process aimed at developing a proposal for the transition. During the early stages of this process, the community raised concern over the outlook of ICANN’s accountability following the transition. <ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/process-next-steps-2014-10-10-en Enhancing ICANN Accountability: Process and Next Steps]</ref>

Accountability, along with transparency, became a primary focal point of the [[ICANN]] community shortly after the [[NTIA]] announced its intent to transition the stewardship of the [[IANA]] functions to the global multistakeholder community. ICANN, already bestowed with the IANA functions contract and coordination of the [[DNS]], was asked to kick-start a multistakeholder process aimed at developing a proposal for the transition. During the early stages of this process, the community raised concern over the outlook of ICANN’s accountability following the transition. <ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/process-next-steps-2014-10-10-en Enhancing ICANN Accountability: Process and Next Steps]</ref>

From the days of ICANN’s infancy, a high degree of accountability was set in place by a contractual relationship between ICANN and the United States government. The renewal process of the IANA functions contract has historically served as a backstop to ICANN accountability. The impending relinquishment of this role by the US government created the opportunity and the necessity to examine the efficacy of existing accountability mechanisms. <ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/process-next-steps-2014-10-10-en Enhancing ICANN Accountability: Process and Next Steps]</ref>

From the days of ICANN’s infancy, a high degree of accountability was set in place by a contractual relationship between ICANN and the United States government. The renewal process of the IANA functions contract served as a backstop to ICANN accountability. The [[IANA Functions Stewardship Transition|relinquishment of this role by the US government]] created the opportunity and the necessity to examine the efficacy of existing accountability mechanisms.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/process-next-steps-2014-10-10-en Enhancing ICANN Accountability: Process and Next Steps]</ref>

In late 2014 the need for an Accountability evaluation gave way to the creation of the CCWG-Accountability (CCWG), a cross-community working group created by [[SO]]s and [[AC]]s to determine how the current mechanisms in place could be strengthened to compensate for the absence of the US Government.  The CCWG immediately began working on developing proposed reforms to the accountability mechanisms currently in place, publishing its First Draft Proposal in May 2015. <ref>[https://internetnz.nz/sites/default/files/2015-10-09-ICANN-accty-chrono.pdf Chronology of Recent ICANN Accountability milestones]</ref>

The IANA Transition led to the formation of the [[Cross Community Working Group on Accountability]] (CCWG-Accountability) to determine how to strengthen and ensure accountability within ICANN.  The CCWG immediately began working on developing proposed reforms to the accountability mechanisms currently in place, publishing its First Draft Proposal in May 2015.<ref>[https://internetnz.nz/sites/default/files/2015-10-09-ICANN-accty-chrono.pdf Chronology of Recent ICANN Accountability milestones]</ref>

Enhancing ICANN Accountability is inherently intertwined with the IANA Stewardship Transition. In fact, there may not be any specific topic surrounding the transition that carries more weight than the outcome of the process for Enhancing ICANN Accountability.

Enhancing ICANN Accountability is inherently intertwined with the IANA Stewardship Transition. In fact, there may not be any specific topic surrounding the transition that carries more weight than the outcomes of the process for formalizing and empowering accountability mechanisms.

==CCWG-Accountability==

===CCWG-Accountability===

The [[Cross Community Working Group on Enhancing ICANN Accountability|CCWG-Accountability]] was developed in response to a community that did not believe that the [[ICANN Board]]’s proposal adequately met the needs of the global [[Multistakeholder Model|multistakeholder community]]. The accountability process that was originally designed by ICANN received unfavorable public comments, resulting in a revised proposal. After the revised version, the suggestion of a two-tier working group once again received a negative response during the [[Public Comment]] period. ICANN stakeholders submitted a joint rejection letter to the ICANN Board demanding a community-driven approach.<ref>[http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-enhancing-accountability-06sep14/pdfggcThDbfOp.pdf Stakeholders Joint Letter]</ref>

The [[Cross Community Working Group on Enhancing ICANN Accountability|CCWG-Accountability]] was developed in response to a community that did not believe that the [[ICANN Board]]’s proposal adequately met the needs of the global [[Multistakeholder Model|multistakeholder community]]. The accountability process that was originally designed by ICANN received unfavorable public comments, resulting in a revised proposal. After the revised version, the suggestion of a two-tier working group once again received a negative response during the [[Public Comment]] period. ICANN stakeholders submitted a joint rejection letter to the ICANN Board demanding a community-driven approach.<ref>[http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-enhancing-accountability-06sep14/pdfggcThDbfOp.pdf Stakeholders Joint Letter]</ref>

There was no final proposal for review at [[ICANN 54]] in Dublin.

There was no final proposal for review at [[ICANN 54]] in Dublin.

===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

<ref>[https://www.icann.org/news/blog/ccwg-accountability-issues-formal-update-on-progress-made-in-and-after-icann54-in-dublin CCWG-Accountability Issues Formal Update. Retrieved 17 Nov 2015.]</ref>

<ref>[https://www.icann.org/news/blog/ccwg-accountability-issues-formal-update-on-progress-made-in-and-after-icann54-in-dublin CCWG-Accountability Issues Formal Update. Retrieved 17 Nov 2015.]</ref>

==Expected Standards of Behavior==

===Accountability and Transparency Reviews===

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Concepts]]

[[Category:Concepts]]