[rpd] Transparency ...

[Paul Hjul]

I fear that transparency much like justice must not only be done but seen
(or perceived) to be done. I don't know whether absolute transparency is
desirable but rather view it as both a symptom and contributory factor in
maintaining good faith and a belief in good faith.

I am not certain that anything other than a culture in which people believe
in making disclosures can really reinforce transparency without also
undermining the actual good - namely good faith engagement and consensus
building.

An appearance of ulterior motives tends to translate into a collapse of a
belief in good faith which is the real crisis. There also appears to be a
view that is going unstated, namely that consensus (whether "rough" or
otherwise) can somehow be rammed through or obstructed rather than that it
represents something to continuously build on.

As a matter of transparency I have control of an asset representing a small
address space and have had considerable difficulty with Afrinic
historically. I have clear commercial interests against Afrinic being able
to abuse technical capabilities to override contractual rights. This also
means I have very little confidence in the capability of Afrinic to achieve
the objectives of the policy. I equally have very high regard for at least
one of the authors of one of the draft policies and fundamentally cannot
see how address space which is properly awaiting allocation should be able
to be misused because the custodian isn't using technical means to prevent
signing. I am therefore interested in seeing a policy which ensures that
Afrinic conducts its affairs in accordance with proper practice in a way
that respects the rights (of whatever nature) of members (and for that
matter others), I am fearful of any policy that will capacitate a disregard
for rights. It is quite simply impossible to not accept that malfeasance by
former staff and several ideological assertions made by individuals as
recently as the more recent AGM.

My reading of the successive drafts leads me to believe that there has been
a recognition of the fact that the two proposed policies should not give
rise to a situation in which Afrinic can technically achieve what they
legally cannot do with respect to a reclamation in bad faith and it may be
that some of the opposition being vocalized represents individuals not
recognizing the revisions to the proposal. Therefore well before making any
expression as to the suitability of the policy prior to the last call
deadline arising I will have to take the time to watch the presentation
from last week (I was otherwise engaged at the time of the presentations)
but if one of the authors or proponents is able to allay any concerns that
arise from the fact that this policy appears to invite Afrinic into a role
which is not necessarily best handled by same that could be helpful to
driving a consensus building discussion. I suspect that a lot more will be
gained if everybody engaging in this discussion takes the time to unpack
the criticisms and responses to criticisms received and to watch the
presentations and so on - assertions that criticisms are "unfounded" or
"have already been satisfactorily addressed" are seldom helpful (and are
tantamount to claiming the other person is making bad faith contributions).
All of these leads me to believe that in the context of this discussion the
really important disclosures that should be made: (a) has the person read
the relevant literature and watched the presentations; (b) is the objection
or support grounded in a view of the proper role, function or future of
Afrinic (and RIRs more generally); (c) is the person voicing the opinion
grounding their view on technical considerations or more academic or
abstract basis; (d) is there any clear commercial motivation for the view
being expressed.

Paul




On Fri, 11 Jun 2021 at 14:00, <rpd-request at afrinic.net> wrote:


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> Today's Topics:

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>    1. Re: balancing operators vs other participants in the PDP -

>       was Re: Last Call - RPKI ROAs... (Mike Silber)

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> Message: 1

> Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2021 11:34:51 +0200

> From: Mike Silber <silber.mike at gmail.com>

> To: Sylvain Baya <abscoco at gmail.com>

> Cc: RPD <rpd at afrinic.net>

> Subject: Re: [rpd] balancing operators vs other participants in the

>         PDP - was Re: Last Call - RPKI ROAs...

> Message-ID: <2DC50613-E28E-4DF4-817C-9B905A851C7C at gmail.com>

> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

>

> Thanks for the timely reminder Sylvain

>

> I think we may need to expand on the concept of ?transparency?.

>

> The challenge many of us have is that the discussion is transparent, but

> the background and motivation of many participants is not transparent.

>

> Any thoughts if such transparency is desirable (or required)? Any

> suggestions how we increase the transparency of participants (if desirable)?

>

> Mike

>

> > On 10 Jun 2021, at 13:17, Sylvain Baya <abscoco at gmail.com> wrote:

> >

> > Dear PDWG,

> >

> > Hoping that this email finds you in good health!

> >

> > ...please see my comments below.

> >

> > Le mar. 8 juin 2021 11:58 AM, Noah <noah at neo.co.tz <mailto:

> noah at neo.co.tz>> a ?crit :

> > Hi Jordi

> >

> >

> > Hi Noah,

> > Thanks for your email, brother.

> >

> >

> > What I am saying is that we out to be responsible but that does not mean

> we must be anonymous.

> >

> >

> > ...i think the discussion about anonymity [1]

> > is a foundamental one for this PDWG.

> > __

> > [1]: Anonymity & Profiling Internet Community Members?

> > <https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2020/011085.html <

> https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2020/011085.html>>

> >

> > We should address it fairly...as it's not an easy matter.

> >

> > What we should consider is always our core principles [2] :

> >

> > ~?~

> > 3.2   <>Policy Development Principles

> > All policies are developed by the Internet community following the three

> principles of openness, transparency and fairness. The Internet community

> initiates and discusses the proposals. If consensus is reached on the draft

> policy, it is recommended to the AFRINIC Board of Directors for adoption as

> a policy.

> > 3.2.1 Openness

> > All policies are developed in an open forum in which anyone may

> participate. There are no qualifications for participation.

> > 3.2.2 Transparency

> > All aspects of the Policy Development Process are documented and

> publicly available via the AFRINIC website. The discussions are publicly

> archived. All procedures that are developed to implement the policy are

> documented by AFRINIC and are publicly available.

> > 3.2.3 Fairness

> > The policies are to ensure fair distribution of resources and

> facilitating the operation of the Internet. Actions are taken within a

> reasonable period of time.

> > ~?~

> >

> > The challenged principle is "Openness"

> > ...and because the PDWG should be always

> > open to new participations...the problem at hands

> > is tough and difficult to solve.

> > __

> > [2]: CPM section 3.2

> > <https://afrinic.net/policy/manual#PDP-Principles <

> https://afrinic.net/policy/manual#PDP-Principles>>

> >

> >

> >

> > With freedom comes responsibility.

> >

> >

> > ...my responsibility is to follow the PDP while

> > participating to the PDWG's activities. ...i'll always keep preserving

> all my personal

> > values, principles & beliefs. If i must

> > compromise it, then i'm not in a place

> > where i should stay...i agree! but if it might appear to be easy to

> me...the opposite if certainly true for others... :-/

> >

> > ...trying to wear their shoes is a good try.

> >

> > Have blessed thursday!

> >

> > Shalom,

> > --sb.

> >

> >

> > Noah

> >

> > On Tue, 8 Jun 2021, 13:42 JORDI PALET MARTINEZ via RPD, <rpd at afrinic.net

> <mailto:rpd at afrinic.net>> wrote:

> >

> >

> > [...]

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > _______________________________________________

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