<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt;color:#000000;"><div>Dear all,<br><br>Season's greetings! I hope you're all well, and getting ready for the new year!!<br><br>I am writing to inform you (and remind those already in the know) that the ICANN draft strategic plan (2010 - 2013) has been posted for review and comments. I suggest we all take time to review it, and provide feedback and suggestions for improving on it.<br><br>I say this because ICANN's work program is going to flow from the strategic plan. For this reason, anything not in, or related to what's in the plan would not be funded, unless under extraordinary circumstances. I therefore suggest that we articulate those issues that are important to us (capacity-building, participation [e.g. travel support], etc.) and suggest their inclusion in the strategic
plan.<br><br>Furthermore, it would help to provide reasons why they should be included, and especially how they can contribute to ICANN's strategic objectives. Once they are in, they can be included in ICANN's annual budgets, and once budgeted for, you can expect there will be resources to carry them out.<br><br>I would like to say that if you had to comment on only one ICANN item per year, the draft strategic plan would be it! Given that we've had a number of requests and comments about African's getting training and travel support from ICANN, it would really help if the strategic plan includes these issues in its priorities. But this is not going to happen unless there is a loud call for this, and that the suggestions can be shown to contribute to ICANN's strategic objectives.<br><br>For your information, you can find the draft strategic plan, and instructions on how to provide your comments online at the ICANN Web site: <a
href="http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/#strat-plan-2010">http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/#strat-plan-2010</a> And please note that the comment window <span style="font-weight: bold;">closes</span> on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jan. 21, 1010</span>.<br><br>Have a great week, and best wishes!<br><br>Katim<br><br></div>
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