[APAC-Discuss] Your inputs requested on the Travel Policy before 17 April EOD

Wed Apr 17 02:56:19 UTC 2024

Dear Shreedeep and Anu,

request you and all other APRALO ALS members and Individual members to
submit your comments using this link ( *Link:
https://forms.gle/gabjf8fshuM7x1pZ7
<https://forms.gle/gabjf8fshuM7x1pZ7> ) *and not on the mail as it will be
easier for us to summarize before today 17th end of the day.

Regards,

Amrita

On Tue, 16 Apr 2024 at 16:29, Mohammad Abdul Haque <mahaqueanu at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Dear Amrita,
>
> Regarding the current situation with the pilot travel plan, it's crucial
> to ensure transparency and inclusivity in decision-making processes.
> APRALO's stance of accepting the pilot plan as a one-time measure while
> advocating for broader discussion and agreement among all RALOs is
> commendable. Here are my views on the questions posed:
>
> 1. Prior Deliberation: Extensive deliberation is essential for any future
> travel policy. It ensures that the concerns and perspectives of all
> stakeholders, including ALAC members and RALOs, are considered. The pilot
> plan should serve as a catalyst for these discussions rather than a final
> decision.
>
> 2. Flexible Metrics: Metrics for travel allocation should indeed be
> flexible and region-specific. Allowing RALOs to devise their own metrics
> ensures that the policy reflects the diverse needs and circumstances of
> each region. Agreement on metrics should precede implementation to ensure
> fairness and buy-in.
>
> 3. Reciprocity: It's reasonable to expect reciprocity in travel slot
> allocation across regions. Fairness dictates that when one region receives
> additional slots for a meeting, the same opportunity should be extended to
> others in the future. This promotes equity and strengthens collaboration
> among RALOs.
>
> 4. Rotation System: Maintaining the rotation system for the allotted seat
> demonstrates APRALO's commitment to fairness and inclusivity. This ensures
> that all members have the opportunity to participate in ICANN meetings,
> contributing to diversity and representation.
>
> In conclusion, APRALO's approach of advocating for broader consultation
> and flexibility in the travel policy is commendable. It promotes fairness,
> transparency, and collaboration within the At-Large community.
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu
> Secretary General
> Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum
>
> On Tue, 16 Apr 2024, 10:25 Amrita Choudhury via APAC-Discuss, <
> apac-discuss at atlarge-lists.icann.org> wrote:
>
>> Dear APRALO members,
>>
>> We have a few questions where we need your inputs, related to travel
>> policy.  *Link: https://forms.gle/gabjf8fshuM7x1pZ7
>> <https://forms.gle/gabjf8fshuM7x1pZ7>*
>>
>> Sharing the background and recent developments first.
>>
>> The background
>>
>> As per the existing travel policy, there are 2 travel slots for each RALO
>> and each of the 3 ALAC members travel to each meeting.
>>
>> A small team had been constituted at the At Large to discuss and evolve a
>> more fair and transparent travel policy than the existing one which is
>> performance and utility based. The small team had two online discussions.
>> Most felt that the performance metrics need to be evolved which are
>> flexible and creative and RALOs have the independence to create their own
>> metrics. At a session at San Juan there was a discussion but it was
>> inconclusive.
>>
>> Current developments:
>>
>> About two weeks ago the ALAC Chair sent an email  announcing a pilot
>> where slots for travel to ICANN80 were assigned based on the utility of
>> travel members. However the slots of each RALO was reduced from 2 to 1 and
>> 5 slots were allotted to AFRALO travellers.
>>
>> This pilot has led to concerns in most RALOs. The main reason being it
>> was a top down decision where before implementing it was not discussed in
>> the small team or with the RALOs.
>>
>> Several RALOs such as AFRALO, LACRALO and EURALO have issued statements
>> against it and asked to repeal it.
>>
>> APRALO LT position so far:
>>
>> APRALO LT had written back the following statement:
>>
>> "There had been no concluding discussions at San Juan on the topic of
>> travel policy. Rather  the key takeaway was that there needs to be more
>> deliberation and discussion before we agree on any new process. Therefore
>> this proposal was a bit unexpected.
>>
>> While we from APRALO  are ok to go age will go with this proposed pilot
>> travel policy, just as a one time PILOT, however we will  discuss it with
>> the other RALOs and go with  what all the RALOs together decide upon.
>>
>> Further, we wish to add that,
>>
>> 1. Any  future travel policy needs extensive prior deliberation and
>> agreement between all ALAC members and RALOs etc. Even for a pilot it is
>> preferred there is deliberation.
>>
>> 2. We agree that metrics need to be implemented, but that would require
>> further discussion and flexibility region wise. RALOs should have the
>> discretion to fix their own metrics and allot the 2 seats they have. Once
>> we have proper metrics in place  and  it is agreed by all, only then it
>> should be implemented. It should not be enforced.
>>
>> 3. Additionally, while we have no issues with AFRALO being given
>> additional slots, I hope the same will be reciprocated when we have
>> meetings in other regions. The APRALO will definitely be keen to have more
>> travel  slots during the Istanbul meeting.  Of course we will request that
>> based on what sessions/ initiatives we propose for that meeting.
>>
>> 4. For the one seat allotted this time we will continue with the rotation
>> system that we are following, at least for ICANN80 and Ali will attend it
>> ."
>>
>>
>> The Situation now:
>>
>> Three of the RALOs have written back rejecting the Pilot Travel Plan.
>> NARALO has not issued any statement. As mentioned above APRALO LT had
>> stated that we will go ahead with whatever  all RALOs decide together.
>>
>> In that context we have a few questions where we need your view
>> preferable by 17 April 2024 EOD.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Amrita
>> on behalf of APRALO LT
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> APAC-Discuss mailing list
>> APAC-Discuss at atlarge-lists.icann.org
>> https://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/apac-discuss
>>
>> Homepage for the region: http://www.apralo.org
>> _______________________________________________
>> By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your
>> personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance
>> with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and
>> the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos). You
>> can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or
>> configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or
>> disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on.
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://atlarge-lists.icann.org/pipermail/apac-discuss/attachments/20240417/cf41c4da/attachment-0001.html>