Difference between revisions of "NCSG"

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'''Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG)''' is an integrated committee of the [[Non-Contracted Parties House]] under [[ICANN]]’s Generic Name Supporting Organization ([[GNSO]]). The main purpose of the NCSG is to represent the views and interests of those who engage in non-commercial activities on the Internet. It was created after ICANN had found that there was not adequate representation of non-commercial and non-profit organizations within ICANN processes.<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/ncsg_approved_charter NCSG Approved Charter]</ref> The provisional charter of the NCSG was adopted by the [[ICANN Board]] on July 30, 2009; at that time it was also stipulated that the NCSG must submit a permanent charter by the 2011 [[Annual Meeting]].<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/NCSG+charter NCSG Transitional Charter]</ref> It has subsumed the [[NCUC|Non-Commercial Users Constituency]], which was the original non-commercial voice in ICANN processes.
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The '''Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG)''' is an integrated committee of the [[Non-Contracted Parties House]] within the [[Generic Names Supporting Organization]] (GNSO). It is the home within the GNSO for civil society organizations, non-profit organizations, public interest groups, and individuals who are primarily concerned with the non-commercial, public interest aspects of domain name policy.
  
At [[ICANN 43]], the NCSG met with the [[NPOC|Non-Profit Operations Constituency]] and later issued a joint-statement in which they declared that some of their previous outstanding contentions had been resolved and that the two groups were looking forward to fruitful engagement in the future. They wrote that, "Initial positive steps were made in order to begin to build trust between the two NCSG constituencies and we are all committed in working together for the promotion of non-commercial interests in the Internet. We believe we can work out our differences and our governance issues internally."<ref>[https://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind1203&L=NCSG-DISCUSS&F=&S=&X=72A0BB47502C777E7E&Y=mueller%40syr.edu&P=68905 Listserv.syr.edu]</ref>
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The NCSG was created after ICANN  found that there was inadequate representation of non-commercial and non-profit organizations within ICANN processes. The provisional charter of the NCSG was adopted by the [[ICANN Board]] on 30 July 2009; at that time it was also stipulated that the NCSG must submit a permanent charter by the 2011 [[Annual Meeting|Annual General Meeting]].<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/NCSG+charter NCSG Transitional Charter]</ref> It has subsumed the [[NCUC|Non-Commercial Users Constituency]], which was the original non-commercial voice in ICANN processes.
===Mission&Principles===
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The purpose of the Non Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG) is to represent, through its elected representatives and its Constituencies, the interests and concerns of noncommercial registrants and noncommercial Internet users of generic Top-level Domains (gTLDs). It provides a voice and representation in ICANN processes to: non-profit organizations that serve noncommercial interests; nonprofit services such as education, philanthropies, consumer protection, community organizing, promotion of the arts, public interest policy advocacy, children's welfare, religion, scientific research, and human rights; public interest software concerns; families or individuals who register domain names for noncommercial personal use; and Internet users who are primarily concerned with the noncommercial, public interest aspects of domain name policy
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== Constituencies and Interest Groups ==
===Restructuring===
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The NCSG is the larger umbrella organization of multiple constituencies and interest groups, the most prominent of which is the [[NCUC|Non-Commercial Users Constituency]] (NCUC).<ref>[http://gnso.icann.org/non-commercial/ GNSO NCSG Page]</ref> The NCSG was the result of a major [[GNSO]] restructuring effort, involving the creation of four new [[SG|Stakeholder Groups]] approved by the [[ICANN Board]] in August 2008. The groups were intended to be broad organizations to better create internal balance between new constituencies; in this way, the number of consituencies can be in constant flux while important, general concerns are still being tended to and represented via the Stakeholder Groups.
The group is the larger umbrella organization of multiple constituencies and interest groups, such as the [[NCUC|Non-Commercial Users Constituency]] (NCUC).<ref>[http://gnso.icann.org/non-commercial/ GNSO NCSG Page]</ref> The NCSG was the result of a major [[GNSO]] restructuring effort, involving the creation of 4 new [[SG|Stakeholder Groups]] approved by the [[ICANN Board]] in August, 2008. The groups were intended to be broad organizations to better create internal balance between new constituencies; in this way, the number of consituencies can be in constant flux while important, general concerns are still being tended to and represented via the Stakeholder Groups.<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/Non-Commercial+Stakeholder+Group+Commons Community.ICANN.org]</ref>  
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The restructuring was also undertaken to see the membership and role of non-commercial actors expand upon the precedent set by the NCUC, which was the original model for such a body. Thus, the NCSG was intended to broaden the approach of the NCUC, and further welcome "educational, research, and philanthropic organizations, foundations, think tanks, members of academia, individual registrant groups and other noncommercial organizations, as well as individual registrants, as part of a non-commercial registrants Stakeholders Group".<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-19mar09-en.htm ICANN Public Comments Report]</ref> The restructuring of the GNSO, and the implementation of new constituencies and other structural additions, is an ongoing process.
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=== Constituencies ===
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==== Active Constituencies ====
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In addition to unaffiliated members, the NCSG has two member constituencies representing different non-commercial interests:
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* [[Non-Commercial Users Constituency]] (NCUC)
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The NCUC advocates positions on domain name-related policies that protect and support non-commercial communication and activity on the Internet. NCUC members can be organisations or individuals and are involved in civil liberties and human rights, Internet freedom issues, consumer protection, education, development, and many other areas of public policy advocacy. The NCUC supports a global and multilingual Internet and believes domain names are for everyone. In pursuing this mission the NCUC focuses on issues such as fair and balanced domain name disputes, diversity and consumer choice, and respecting human rights as they relate to the domain name system and the policies that govern it. The NCUC's global membership is made up of organisations and individuals from over 100 countries.
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* [[Not-for-Profit Operational Concerns Constituency|Not-for-profit Operational Concerns Constituency]] (NPOC)
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NPOC focuses on the impact of DNS policies on the operational readiness and implementation of non-commercial missions and objectives. It aims to represent the operational concerns of not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations who have registered a domain name. Operational concerns include domain name registration, expansion of the DNS, fraud and abuse, using the DNS to provide and collect information, and how the DNS can best serve their members and communities.
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==== Proposed Constituencies ====
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Proposed constituencies include the [[CyberSafety Constituency]], and [[Consumers Constituency]].
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=== Interest Groups ===
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Interest Groups are officially recognized collaborations between disparate members of the NCSG. They do not have the ability to vote as a unit, but they are allowed to participate in NCSG activities. The Executive Committee must re-certify every Interest Group on a yearly basis. There are currently no established Interest Groups
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== What does the NCSG do? ==
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The NCSG:
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* develops and advocates policy positions on behalf of both its constituencies and unaffiliated members.
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* collaborates and interacts with other stakeholders across the ICANN community on matters of common concern, including businesses, governments, and others.
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* organizes conferences and events exploring Internet governance issues that fall within the remit of our constituencies.
  
The restructuring was also undertaken to see the membership and role of the Non-Commercial group to expand upon the precedent set by the NCUC, which was the original model for such a body. Thus, the NCSG was intended to broaden the approach of the NCUC, and further welcome "educational, research, and philanthropic organizations, foundations, think tanks, members of academia, individual registrant groups and other noncommercial organizations, as well as individual registrants, as part of a non-commercial registrants Stakeholders Group".<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-19mar09-en.htm ICANN Public Comments Report]</ref> The restructuring of the GNSO, and the implementation of new constituencies and other structural additions, is an ongoing process.
 
 
==Members and Executives==
 
==Members and Executives==
 
===NCSG Elected Councillors===
 
===NCSG Elected Councillors===
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* [[Raoul Plommer]]
 
* [[Raoul Plommer]]
 
* [[Gangadhar Panday]]
 
* [[Gangadhar Panday]]
 
==Structure==
 
The NCSG is made up of a number of different committees, which focus on a variety of important functions.
 
* '''Executive Committee''': Main point of oversight, coordinates with NCSG Chair, and harmonizes group functions. Works between the group and the [[ICANN Board]].
 
* '''Policy Committee''': Guides the research on policies, creates policy consensus,
 
* '''Finance Committee''': Establishes and tracks finances, administers funds.
 
* '''NCSG Chair''': The chair is elected on a yearly basis by the general members, one individual can not serve more than 2 consecutive terms.<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/ncsg_approved_charter Community.ICANN.org]</ref>
 
==Constituencies and Interest Groups==
 
The NCSG brings together multiple constituencies, and also allows its members to form together to create Interest Groups.
 
 
===Constituencies===
 
* [[Non-Commercial Users Constituency]] (NCUC)- Older than the Stakeholder Group itself, the NCUC was originally constituted as part of the [[GNSO]] in August, 2003.<ref>[http://ncdnhc.org/page/charter-1 NCUC Charter]</ref> Much like the larger Stakeholder Group, it represents the views of non-commercial individuals and non-profit organizations within the wider [[ICANN]] community.
 
* [[Non-Commercial Operational Concerns Constituency|Not-for-Profit Operational Concerns Constituency]] (NPOC)- The second addition to the NCSG represents non-profits (NGO's, Civil Society) who have operational concerns related to service delivery.<ref>[http://www.npoc.org NPOC Home]</ref> The constituency was originally proposed to the [[ICANN Board]] in November, 2010. Its charter was approved by that body at [[ICANN 41]] in Singapore,<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/?p=npocdocssubmit NPOC Documents]</ref> and they are set to have their first elections ahead of [[ICANN 42]] in Dakar.
 
* Other '''Proposed Constituencies''' include: [[CyberSafety Constituency]], [[Consumers Constituency]]
 
 
===Interest Groups===
 
Interest Groups are officially recognized collaborations between disparate members of the NCSG. They do not have the ability to vote as a unit, but they are allowed to participate on any NCSG committees. The Executive Committee must recertify every Interest Group on a yearly basis. Each Interest Group is able to appoint two members to each of the 3 committees in the group.<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/ncsg_approved_charter Community.ICANN.org]</ref>
 
  
 
==Principles of NCSG==  
 
==Principles of NCSG==  

Revision as of 03:53, 10 January 2018

The Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG) is an integrated committee of the Non-Contracted Parties House within the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO). It is the home within the GNSO for civil society organizations, non-profit organizations, public interest groups, and individuals who are primarily concerned with the non-commercial, public interest aspects of domain name policy.

The NCSG was created after ICANN found that there was inadequate representation of non-commercial and non-profit organizations within ICANN processes. The provisional charter of the NCSG was adopted by the ICANN Board on 30 July 2009; at that time it was also stipulated that the NCSG must submit a permanent charter by the 2011 Annual General Meeting.[1] It has subsumed the Non-Commercial Users Constituency, which was the original non-commercial voice in ICANN processes.

Constituencies and Interest Groups

The NCSG is the larger umbrella organization of multiple constituencies and interest groups, the most prominent of which is the Non-Commercial Users Constituency (NCUC).[2] The NCSG was the result of a major GNSO restructuring effort, involving the creation of four new Stakeholder Groups approved by the ICANN Board in August 2008. The groups were intended to be broad organizations to better create internal balance between new constituencies; in this way, the number of consituencies can be in constant flux while important, general concerns are still being tended to and represented via the Stakeholder Groups.

The restructuring was also undertaken to see the membership and role of non-commercial actors expand upon the precedent set by the NCUC, which was the original model for such a body. Thus, the NCSG was intended to broaden the approach of the NCUC, and further welcome "educational, research, and philanthropic organizations, foundations, think tanks, members of academia, individual registrant groups and other noncommercial organizations, as well as individual registrants, as part of a non-commercial registrants Stakeholders Group".[3] The restructuring of the GNSO, and the implementation of new constituencies and other structural additions, is an ongoing process.

Constituencies

Active Constituencies

In addition to unaffiliated members, the NCSG has two member constituencies representing different non-commercial interests:

The NCUC advocates positions on domain name-related policies that protect and support non-commercial communication and activity on the Internet. NCUC members can be organisations or individuals and are involved in civil liberties and human rights, Internet freedom issues, consumer protection, education, development, and many other areas of public policy advocacy. The NCUC supports a global and multilingual Internet and believes domain names are for everyone. In pursuing this mission the NCUC focuses on issues such as fair and balanced domain name disputes, diversity and consumer choice, and respecting human rights as they relate to the domain name system and the policies that govern it. The NCUC's global membership is made up of organisations and individuals from over 100 countries.

NPOC focuses on the impact of DNS policies on the operational readiness and implementation of non-commercial missions and objectives. It aims to represent the operational concerns of not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations who have registered a domain name. Operational concerns include domain name registration, expansion of the DNS, fraud and abuse, using the DNS to provide and collect information, and how the DNS can best serve their members and communities.

Proposed Constituencies

Proposed constituencies include the CyberSafety Constituency, and Consumers Constituency.

Interest Groups

Interest Groups are officially recognized collaborations between disparate members of the NCSG. They do not have the ability to vote as a unit, but they are allowed to participate in NCSG activities. The Executive Committee must re-certify every Interest Group on a yearly basis. There are currently no established Interest Groups

What does the NCSG do?

The NCSG:

  • develops and advocates policy positions on behalf of both its constituencies and unaffiliated members.
  • collaborates and interacts with other stakeholders across the ICANN community on matters of common concern, including businesses, governments, and others.
  • organizes conferences and events exploring Internet governance issues that fall within the remit of our constituencies.

Members and Executives

NCSG Elected Councillors

Executive Committee

Principles of NCSG

  1. Nondiscriminatory and impartial application of rules: NCSG represents the non-commercial stakeholders, as such no non-commercial organization or individual can be denied membership. All non-commercial organization and individual applicants for membership in the NCSG should be given equal opportunity if they suite the eligibility criteria. There should be no discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity.
  2. Transparency: Information on the proceedings of NCSG committee meetings should be available to all NCSG members through the appropriate mediums. The schedules of various meetings should be announced well in advance.
  3. Service standards for elected officers: Every NCSG officer, including the Chair, should be impartial, accountable and avoid conflicts of interest. NCSG officers should be fair, trustworthy and responsible custodians of NCSG’s activities.
  4. Standards of member behavior: All NCSG members should behave according to ICANN Bylaws/Policies, which supports the consensus model of treating everyone with dignity, respect and courtesy; listening and understanding others effectively; and acting with honesty and sincerity.
  5. Encourage consensus: NCSG’s main principle will be to encourage consensus, communication, and cooperation among members on various issues of non-commercial interests by holding the GNSO Council Representative Elections open to all NCSG members. This will ensure that members will try to create a consensus among competing non-commercial views for support.[4]

References