I agree with you, MM, and this has been part of my arguments in seeking 
a stronger form of representation of non-profit civil society 
organizations (far more than just "associations of Internet users") 
within the ICANN structure.

--c.a.

Milton Mueller wrote:
> Thanks for getting the discussion started, Adam, This is exactly what I
> wanted to have discussed in Lisbon at the constituency meeting.
> 
>>>> Adam Peake <[log in to unmask]> 3/22/2007 2:23 PM >>>
>> Something about this bothers me -- seems to be an assumption 
>> that ALAC represents civil society/non-profit interests so 
>> there's a natural partnership with NCUC.  
> 
> civil society yes, nonprofit, not necessarily. The "naturalness" comes
> from both being under represented in ICANN, and from both being more
> diffuse, public interest oriented than concentrated, special economic
> interest such as registrars, registries, trademark.
> 
>> Most current members of the ALAC are 
>> civil society oriented (and many of us know them well and 
>> work with them in other activities), but I am not convinced 
>> it's healthy for ALAC to align itself with one sector.  
> 
> The LSE report recommendations don't leave much room for manuever here.
> If the tripartite representation in GNSO is adopted, who will constitute
> the "civil society" portion? It seems obvious to me that it should be
> composed primarily of the organizations and interests that now
> constitute NCUC, plus individual registrants. After all, small-scale
> business users, consultants or trademark owners can join the business
> users constituency, can they not? the need is for some kind of political
> balance in the type of interest represented. 
> 
> 
> 

-- 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Carlos A. Afonso
diretor de planejamento
Rede de Informações para o Terceiro Setor - Rits
http://www.rits.org.br
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++