I oppose this proposal as outside the scope of ICANN's role. And while helping poor countries sounds great at first, I think it could give ICANN too much power to "help" these countries to do as ICANN would like. Robin Milton Mueller wrote: > > Some time in the next week we will teleconference with ICANN staff > about the strategic plan. I am formulating a response. One issue strikes > me as open to debate. ICANN proposes to create a "Restricted Fund for > Developing Country Internet Communities." > > Do we favor or oppose? > > In favor: ICANN provides support for workshops and technical forums in > developing countries. The governance model of ICANN has been critizied > by many on grounds that it does not foster participation from developing > countries. This can be viewed as an appropriate response. > > Oppose: this steps outside of ICANN's coordination role and makes it > into a much more expansive welfare state type of agency. Those who are > supported by ICANN are also, to a large degree, under the control of > ICANN; it might be better for independent agencies (foundations, higher > education institutions, civil society organizations, governments) to > provide this kind of support. > > Please give me your opinion.