To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer – a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate these unique identifiers, across the world. Without that coordination, we wouldn’t have one global Internet. ICANN, formed in 1998, is a not-for-profit global organization dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and inter-operable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers. Within ICANN, the At-Large Community acts on the interests of Internet users. There are over 200 At-Large Structures (ALSes) around the world and a growing number of individual members. Whether it is an Internet-related consumer rights group, an academic organization, or a public-minded individual, we share a passion for furthering the development of ICTs and contributing to policies that influence the technical coordination of the Domain Name System. We work to ensure that the Internet continues to serve the global public interest.
The five RALOs unite ICANN’s At-Large Structures (ALSes) and individual members based on their geographic regions. As the information conduit and facilitators, RALOs disseminate information from ICANN, promote the participation of their members, and channel the regional user point of view to ICANN. Each RALO is governed by its own organizing documents, including a Memorandum of Understanding with ICANN. Playing a key role in ICANN’s regional strategies, several RALOs partner with ICANN to facilitate the development of critical infrastructure for the Domain Name System. At-Large Structures (ALSes) form the basis of the At-Large community. Whether it is an Internet-related consumer rights groups or an academic organization, all share the passion in furthering the development of Information and Communication Technologies and contributing to policy activities that influence the technical coordination of the Domain Name Systems. Within ICANN, we work to ensure that the Internet continues to serve the global public interests. HETS has been represented in NARALO (North America Region) since 2014.
In April 2017, the NARALO General Assembly was celebrated with 26 NARALO At Large Structures (including HETS) who came together during an allocated event at ARIN 39 in
. The Face to Face meeting aimed to energize the community to become more active in outreach and engagement, ICANN policy comments and involvement with Workstream 2 working groups. The collective efforts of staff, volunteers and ALS members are committed to seeing NARALO become more active through the creation of a proactive strategic plan, NARALO CROPP FY 18 plan, Webinars and On-boarding sessions on working groups and policy issues. To learn more about this gathering please go to: NARALO General Assembly Report 2017. To be informed about NARALO activity and efforts you may visit click here to read NARALO Newsletters.
During October 5 and 6, 2017 HETS was also present at the ARIN 40 meeting to collaborate with the community how ARIN will manage and administer Internet number resources. These community decisions are recorded as polices. Access here the ARIN 40 Meeting Report.