[Aftld-members] [ccnso-members] Survey Results on Transition to In-Person ICANN Public Meetings

[Barrack Otieno]

Dear Members,

This might be if interest to you.

Best Regards

https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/survey-results-on-transition-to-in-person-icann-public-meetings-14-6-2021-en


SURVEY RESULTS ON TRANSITION TO IN-PERSON ICANN PUBLIC MEETINGS

  14 June 2021

Sally Costerton [1], SVP, Global Stakeholder Engagement, Senior Advisor
to the President and CEO David Olive [1], SVP, Policy Development
Support

  ICANN Public Meetings are central to our multistakeholder model and an
important venue for the community to advance our policy development
work. Due to the global nature of the ICANN community, our public
meetings have always allowed for virtual participation. The pandemic has
required us to hold virtual-only meetings for more than a year. Now, as
the pandemic eases in some parts of the world, we are looking to the
future and considering which lessons that we have learned from our
virtual meetings will carry over into our Public Meetings when it is
safe to gather in person again.

  The pandemic has affected residents in various countries in different
ways, and the vaccine rollout is not occurring at the same pace across
the world. As a result, some members of the ICANN community will feel
safer to travel before the entire community is ready to do so safely.
ICANN organization (org) remains focused on ensuring the accessibility
of events whether in person, virtual, or a hybrid of the two.

  Recently, we asked community members to complete a survey to gauge
their general comfort level and the desired conditions for a return to
in-person ICANN Public Meetings. While the results of this survey are
not the only determining factor in the Board's decision to return to
in-person meetings, they provide valuable input for the Board as it
considers the future.

  First and foremost, the health and safety of participants remains our
highest priority. ICANN org has a dedicated team that continues to
monitor the updates and recommendations from worldwide health
authorities, global risk consultants, and travel partners. We will not
hold an in-person meeting until it is safe to do so.

  Also, we are closely tracking the extremely fluid situation regarding
travel across the world. Borders remain closed in some parts of the
world, while other borders are only open to returning citizens, as is
the case in the United States today. We have learned from events over
the last 15 months that we cannot definitively anticipate what the
situation will be in October. There are many logistical challenges to
holding an in-person meeting in such a rapidly evolving situation.

  We are grateful to everyone who took the time to fill out the survey.
The results show that the majority of the community is interested in
returning to in-person meetings. We saw similar results when we asked if
you would be willing to attend in person if safety precautions were
taken, such as physical distancing, onsite rapid testing, and face mask
requirements. You can see the full results of the survey here [2].

  Public Meetings are most successful and productive when they are as
inclusive as possible. The survey showed that there is some concern
within the community about the possibility of reduced attendance and
global diversity due to COVID travel restrictions. Around 50% of the
survey respondents did not agree or were neutral on holding in-person
meetings if it means a reduction in the global diversity of attendees.

  The Board will decide soon whether to hold ICANN72 virtually, or as a
hybrid meeting with both in-person and virtual components. The results
of this survey will be used as input to the decision, but it is not the
only input. The Board will also consider safety guidance, local
restrictions, and, importantly, the equity issues resulting from who
will likely be able to travel in October.

  On Thursday, 17 June, we will host a community discussion at ICANN71
about the future of ICANN Public Meetings. Please join the session to
share your thoughts and ask any questions you may have. We are grateful
for the community's dedication to progressing the work, despite the many
obstacles presented by the pandemic over the last year. We look forward
to your continued participation – virtually at ICANN71, and in-person
at some point in the future.



Links:
------
[1] https://www.icann.org/
[2] 
https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/post-pandemic-future-icann-public-meetings-14jun21-en.pdf
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-- 
Barrack Otieno

General Manager

Africa Top Level Domains Organization

+254721325277

www.aftld.org

'The Regional Association of African ccTLDs