• Security and stability
• Accountability and Transparency

Last week, ICANN announced a whole security and stability plan [pdf] and opened up a public comment period on it. But that’s not what this blog post is about.

The thing that you didn’t realize was on the ICANN site (part 5) is actually the organization’s extensive response to the accountability and transparency question.

It is ICANN’s “Accountability and Transparency Frameworks and Principles” and they were approved well over a year ago by the Board, following no less than 16 months of community consultation (you can see the first public comment period back in October 2006 here).

This document was created in order to answer the simple question: how is ICANN held accountable and to whom? And the answer cames in three parts:

1. Accountability in the Public Sphere
2. Legal and Corporate accountability
3. Accountability to the participating community

The document then gives a full rundown of the organization’s status, its legal obligations, its bylaws, its promises to the community, its principles, where all the information it produces can be found and pretty much everything you could want to know about transparency and accountability at ICANN.

The result, nearly 16 months later, has been much less discussion – and so, presumably, concern – about transparency and accountability and ICANN. But there are two reasons why it is worth flagging the frameworks and principles again (and most likely reminding a few of you of their existence).

For one, as new participants arrive and try to understand ICANN, sooner or later they arrive at an inevitable question: who is in charge of ICANN? And who holds it accountable to its decisions?

It’s not a simple answer because ICANN is not a traditional organization; it is as unique as the domain name system it coordinates. But if you read through the document you can see how ICANN has been structured and what the various systems are that have been put in place to make sure that it remains accountable to the wider Net community.

Improving Institutional Confidence

The second reason to review the frameworks and principles is because of the Improving Institutional Confidence (IIC) consultation that is going on at the moment and which aims to adjust or expand on what is there already so that people can feel comfortable with the conclusion of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) that ICANN has with the US government.

The IIC will have a special session in a month’s time in Sydney, and the JPA will conclude at the end of September. So it is worth reviewing where ICANN currently is, and think ahead to where it can and should be.

You can find the full Accountability and Transparency Frameworks and Principles online and can also download them as a pdf document. Enjoy.

Previous things you didn’t realize

Part 4: Community translation requests
Part 3: Scorecard
Part 2: IDN Glossary
Part 1: Virtual Bookshelf

We have been working hard on this for nearly two years and ICANN now has a translation manager as well as a decent size budget and much better internal systems for putting things through translation. The amount of translation we do (and interpretation at meetings) has jumped and we are doing it at lower cost and with greater accuracy than ever before.

But we recognize that this is only a partial solution. The ICANN website is the main entry point to the organization and it remains defiantly English. While we translate more documents than every before, only a tiny proportion of our webpages are in other languages, making it hard for community members to find those translated documents and to keep up to date with ICANN and its work.

We are working hard on fixing this. One of the biggest issues is the development of a content management system that enables us to link the same information in different languages. A second is the fact that ICANN’s main website has many thousands of pages and so we could spend hundreds of thousands of dollars translating webpages that hardly anyone ever reads. And tied in with that, a third issue is the fact that as ICANN staff we are acutely aware that expenditure of the community’s money needs to be justified, either from direct community input or in clear improvements to participation.

Community requests

So we have come up with a system to tackle the second and third issues while we work on the technology to fix the first, and that is: community-led translation requests.

At the bottom of every page on the ICANN website you should see a ten-language lines of words, the first being “Translate” in English. If you click on your language’s version of “translate” a box will pop up that will ask you in that language if you wish to request that the page you were on be translated. If you click through, we as staff are notified that someone has requested that particular page be translated into that particular language.

We can then use the clear community demand for particular pages to translate information as it is requested by the community.

We have tested the system with multiple people and multiple computers running multiple operating systems through multiple browsers so we are pretty confident that unless someone goes to great lengths that every request we receive for a particular page comes from a different individual. The system should also work across the board, no matter what computer or software you are using.

And the winner is…

We put this system up without announcing it or telling anyone three weeks ago and have already been amazed at the response – 1,182 requests so far across all languages, the biggest single page and language being 165 Chinese requests for the front page.

Responding to this, we have already send the first webpage for translation – the UDRP webpage at http://www.icann.org/en/udrp/. The front page will take longer as we need to devise the best way to keep it constantly up-to-date but we have heard from you loud and clear and are working on it as we speak.

And before you ask – yes, we are aware of the irony of only having this blog post in English. A proper announcement in the 10 languages is in the offing.

So there you go – thing’s you didn’t realize were on the ICANN website: a community-led translation priority tool done through two simple clicks.

Previous things you didn’t realize

Part 3: Scorecard
Part 2: IDN Glossary
Part 1: Virtual Bookshelf

We have now reached the stage where we need someone with sufficient expertise and experience to be able to oversee that programme as ICANN moves to making translation a part of its everyday processes and systems.

The job of “Translation Coordinator” was first recommended by our two independent experts over six months ago and we are now ready to hire for the position, initially on a six-month consultancy contract. However, this is a specialist job so we are appealing far and wide for applicants.

If any in the ICANN community know of someone with the right expertise and experience, and if you wish to aid ICANN in becoming a multilingual organization, please past on the details of the job to them.

The job description is online at http://icann.org/en/general/jobs.htm#transcoord, and is also posted below.

Thanks!

Translation Coordinator

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has an immediate opportunity for a Translation Coordinator. The position will act as a consultant to the organization on a renewable contract for approximately 40 hours/week.

Working within a dynamic and fast-growing organisation, this position reports to the Corporate Affairs department.

JOB DUTIES:

* Provide effective administrative and supervisory services in the implementation of multilingualism at ICANN, by managing and using resources efficiently, ensuring an optimal mix of outsourcing and internal capacity.

* Plan and manage the provision of translation and manage external translation resources. In general, handle the day-to-day operation as well as the process of implementation of a translation program for the organisation.

* Supervise and monitor the performance of all vendors of translation and interpretation services.

* Monitor budgets and vendor relationships.

* Plan and oversee all resources committed to the process of implementing the translation policy, including a tender process for the provision of translation services, guided by best practices.

* Ensure that the translation, revision, editing, report writing, document referencing, text processing and related activities related to translation are carried out with utmost efficiency, within the specified deadlines and according to high standards.

* With respect to multilingualism, make long-term and short-term work projections based on the calendar of conferences and meetings. Develops and maintains, in a cost-effective manner, an efficient network of skilled external staff to ensure adequate capacity at all times of the year.

* Make recommendations to Senior Management on policy with respect of recruitment, training, contractual status, and all other administrative and operational matters affecting the translation function and – in coordination with those designated to represent each department as regards translation – of linguistic standards.

* Establish and/or advise on training courses and/or other resources required to ensure staff capacity to transition from working in a monolingual to a multilingual environment, including computer training, with special attention to translation-related software. Establish terminology standards in coordination with the staff and in consultation and coordination with languages services provided by vendors.

* Hold regular meetings with the designated representatives of each department with respect to translation, as well as senior staff as necessary, to improve efficiency and identify problem areas, if any, before they develop.

* Ensure the smooth functioning of the translation function, advising on and helping to implement technological measures to promote access to information such as document management systems, document workflow process, and the like.

* Establish quality control guidelines and continually evaluate their efficacy. Ensure quality control of individual translation projects.

REQUIREMENTS:

Professionalism -­Thorough knowledge of language issues; ability tooperate in a cost-effective manner ensuring an optimal mix of outsourcing and internal resources and to serve as final arbiter on technical issues arising in the translation function; and analytical skills.

Performance Management – Strong managerial/supervisory skills; tact andnegotiating skills, good judgment and decision-making skills. Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor the work of others; ability to make timely decisions; ability to coach, mentor and develop staff and encourage good performance.

Communication-­ Excellent drafting ability and communication skills,

both oral and written; ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions.

Teamwork – Good interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability in amulticultural, multi-ethnic environment to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and professional backgrounds; ability to organize and motivate those under her/his supervision.

Computer skills – Strong knowledge of the provision of contractual services in translation. Knowledge of a documentation and staff monitoring system preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Advanced degree in Translation, Social Sciences, Finance, Business Administration, Management or a related field.

Bachelor’s Degree with a relevant combinationof academic and professional qualifications.

8- 10 years of progressively responsible translation experience, of which at least five years in an international organisation (public or private) and three years of demonstrated, successful supervisory or managerial experience, or a combination of language-related experience and equivalent knowledge and experience in business administration and management in international organizations, may be accepted.

Languages:

English is the working language of ICANN. Fluency in English, both written and oral, to a high standard is required. Working knowledge of one additional UN official language is desired. Knowledge of additional UN official languages would be an asset.

ICANN:

ICANN is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet’s system of unique identifiers. These include domain names (like .org, .com), as well as the addresses used in a variety of Internet protocols. Computers use these identifiers to reach each other over the Internet. Careful management of these resources is vital to the Internet’s operation, so ICANN’s global stakeholders meet regularly to develop policies that ensure the Internet’s ongoing security and stability. For further information on ICANN, see http://www.icann.org.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST:

This is an exciting opportunity to create and manage, from the ground up, a translation system that will encourage participation from a global audience in the organization¹s processes.
If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter and complete curriculum vitae to opportunities@icann.org referencing JOB CA 0806.All statements of interest or inquiries about this position will be kept in confidence.

The short video above was created to showcase the possibilities that now exist to communicate across languages using video and the latest transcription/translation technology.

It is open to all so that they might be able to translate the message in your language through DotSub’s easy-to-use interface. Just click here to try it out.

ICANN will be using this technology to make videos of its work available to, potentially, everyone on the planet. You just have to think and work, with us, and as a community.

Il sondaggio costituisce, inoltre, la base di riferimento del processo di consultazione pubblica che riguarda la bozza del Programma di traduzione ICANN . Obiettivo del programma è fornire a tutti coloro che non parlano correntemente l’inglese un livello di influenza e di partecipazione all’attività di ICANN pari a quello di chi parla correntemente l’inglese.

Per maggiori informazioni sul Programma di traduzione consultare il seguente indirizzo: http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-13feb08.htm

Il sondaggio online è accessibile dal seguente indirizzo: https://www.bigpulse.com/m1649/intro

I risultati del sondaggio sono disponibili in tempo reale al seguente indirizzo: https://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=k8q27xDaY9JC2cLcBxrt

I risultati disponibili all’indirizzo indicato non comprendono le risposte aperte. Attualmente non è possibile mostrare in modo coerente i risultati statistici sintetici insieme alle singole risposte aperte. Le risposte estese saranno inserite nella relazione elaborata al termine del sondaggio.

Il sondaggio non si concluderà prima del 20 giugno 2008.

이번 설문 조사 결과는ICANN 번역 프로그램 초안에 대한 공개 협의 과정에서 중요한 참고 자료로 활용됩니다. ICANN 번역 프로그램의 사명은 영어를 잘 하지 못하는 사람도 영어를 유창하게 구사하는 사람과 동등한 수준으로 ICANN의 자료를활용하여 ICANN 작업에 적극 참여할 수 있게 하는 것입니다.

ICANN 번역 프로그램에 대한 자세한 내용은 다음 URL을 참조하십시오. http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-13feb08.htm

온라인 설문 조사는 다음 URL에서 참여할 수 있습니다. https://www.bigpulse.com/m1649/intro

설문 조사 결과는 다음 URL에서 실시간으로 확인할 수 있습니다. https://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=k8q27xDaY9JC2cLcBxrt

위의 URL에서는 응답 내용에 대한 부가 설명 없이 응답 결과만 표시됩니다. 현재로서는 통계 결과와 응답자의 의견이 동시에 표시되지 않습니다. 설문 조사가 완료되면 응답 내용이 보고서 형태로 제공됩니다.

이 설문 조사는 2008년 6월 20일까지 참여할 수 있습니다.

Essa pesquisa também coleta informações importantes para o processo de consulta pública do plano de Programa de Tradução da ICANN. A missão do programa é fornecer àqueles que não são falantes fluentes do inglês o mesmo nível de acesso à influência e participação no trabalho da ICANN daqueles que são fluentes no idioma.

É possível obter mais informações sobre o Programa de Tradução nesta URL: http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-13feb08.htm

A pesquisa on-line pode ser acessada na URL abaixo: https://www.bigpulse.com/m1649/intro

Os resultados da pesquisa estão disponíveis em tempo real na URL abaixo: https://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=k8q27xDaY9JC2cLcBxrt

Observe que os resultados disponíveis da URL acima exibem somente as respostas objetivas da pesquisa. No momento, não é possível mostrar os resultados estatísticos resumidos e, ao mesmo tempo, incluir respostas narrativas individuais de forma que sejam significativas. As respostas discursivas serão compiladas no relatório preparado na conclusão da pesquisa.

A pesquisa estará disponível até pelo menos 20 de Junho de 2008.

Die Umfrage liefert gleichzeitig wichtige Impulse für die öffentliche Befragung zur Entwurfsfassung des ICANN-Übersetzungsplans. Der Plan verfolgt das Ziel, allen Personen, die nicht uneingeschränkt mit der englischen Sprache vertraut sind, die gleichen Möglichkeiten zur Einflussnahme auf und die Beteiligung an der Arbeit der Organisation zu verschaffen wie den Personen, die Englisch fließend beherrschen.

Informationen zum Übersetzungsplan finden Sie unter folgender URL: http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-13feb08.htm

Die Online-Umfrage ist unter der folgenden URL zu erreichen: https://www.bigpulse.com/m1649/intro

Die Umfrage-Ergebnisse stehen in Echtzeit unter folgender URL bereit: https://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=k8q27xDaY9JC2cLcBxrt

In den dort sichtbaren Ergebnissen sind allerdings nur die Antworten auf Fragen erfasst, bei denen keine Möglichkeit zur Freitexteingabe besteht. Gegenwärtig ist es nicht möglich, zusammengefasste statistische Auswertungen zu erstellen und gleichzeitig frei formulierte Antworten sinnwahrend zu berücksichtigen. Die Textantworten werden in dem Bericht zusammengefasst, der nach Abschluss der Umfrage erstellt wird.

Die Umfrage bleibt mindestens bis zum 20 Juni 2008 geöffnet.

この調査は、ICANN の翻訳プログラムのドラフトに関する公開協議プロセスへの重要なインプットとしても使用されます。このプログラムの目的は、英語が堪能でない人にも英語が堪能な人と同等レベルのアクセスを提供し、ICANN の作業に関与していただくことです。

翻訳プログラムに関する詳細については、次の URL をご参照ください。 http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-13feb08.htm

オンライン調査には次の URL からアクセスできます。 https://www.bigpulse.com/m1649/intro

調査の結果は、次の URL からリアルタイムでご覧いただけます。 https://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=k8q27xDaY9JC2cLcBxrt

上記の URL でご覧いただける結果には、調査における非記述式の回答のみが反映されます。現時点では、要約された統計的結果を表示することや、意味が通じるように個別の記述式回答を表示することはできません。記述式の回答は集計されて、調査完了時に作成されるレポートにまとめられます。

この調査は、 2008年6月20日まで回答を受け付けます。

Данный опрос также является ключевым звеном открытого консультационного процесса по обсуждению предварительной версии программы перевода ICANN (ICANN Translation Programme). Целью программы является предоставление заинтересованным сторонам, не говорящим свободно на английском языке, такого же уровня возможностей влияния на работу организации и участия в ее деятельности, как и у лиц, свободно говорящих на английском языке.

Дополнительную информацию о программе перевода можно найти по этому URL-адресу: http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-13feb08.htm

Интерактивный опрос доступен по следующему URL-адресу: https://www.bigpulse.com/m1649/intro

Результаты опроса должны быть доступны в режиме реального времени по следующему URL-адресу: https://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=k8q27xDaY9JC2cLcBxrt

Обратите внимание, что результаты, доступные по URL-адресу, указанному выше, отображают только суть ответов на вопросы, без их письменного описания. В данный момент невозможно представить итоговые результаты статистики, включающие индивидуальные письменные ответы, в эффективном виде. Письменные ответы будут собраны в отчет, подготовленный по окончании опроса.

Опрос будет проводиться, по крайней мере, до 20 Июнь 2008.