[wg-e] Diversity - my perspective

[Kilnam Chon <chon@cosmos.kaist.ac.kr>]

here is my perspective on (geographical) diversity.

chon
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								1999.6.10
								Kilnam Chon
Diversity - Internet Globalization 

"Geographical Diversity" has been discussed in ICANN, and this memo tries
to address its issue and scope.

The Internet is being globalized with over 244 countries and regions connected
to the Internet by now.  There are several issues to be considered for the
Internet to become truly global;

1. Geographical Diversity

	Geography is one of the fundamental measurement on diversity, and ICANN
	recognizes 5 regions with appropriate representation of all regions 
	such as at least one ICANN Board Director from each region and 
	at most three Directors from any region to represent At Large members.
	Each Support Organization is expected to send one from each region.
	In DNSO Names Council, this is not well kept so far by waiving the
	geographical diversity requirement.

2. Cultural Diversity

	Single most posing issue is English, which is almost official language
	in the Internet.  If you see any ICANN meeting, you will find almost
	all speakers are native English speakers even though there are many
	more non-native English speakers in the meeting.  Procedures carried
	out at ICANN tend to be of USA and of the western civilization.

3. Economical Diversity

	Difference of GNP of various countries are 100 times or more.  
	ICANN meets four times a year now.  This is nearly impossible to
	follow for almost all countries.  Many meetings are announced in
	very short notice such as one to four weeks.  Most countries would
	not be ready to participate economically to start with.  We have to
	be more sensitive economically, too.

	
Several recommendations are as follows (for discussion):

1. Find out what is appropriate for geographical diversity on ICANN 
   activities.  Need to set up a committee to study.

2. Cultural diversity should be considered starting from multi-lingual
   support in as many aspects of ICANN activities as possible.

3. Meetings should be scheduled with economically sensible way if possible.
   Plan to have ICANN meetings less frequently, possibly with longer meeting
   period.  Four times a year is too often, and twice or three times would
   be more appropriate.  Consider other Internet-related organizations such
   as IETF, which meets three times a year.

4. Consider outreach to

	Less developed regions
	Non-Internet regions and users