A Public Private Partnership

I don't agree that it is necessary that in a true partnership "ultimate power" must be shared. Although the Board has the ultimate authority to approve things ICANN does, the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) has a vital, cooperative role in making decisions on policies. (The Supporting Organization Councils also have a vital role on policy matters in their specific areas.)

According to Article XI, Section 2.1(j) and (k) of the bylaws, the GAC participates closely in the aspects of ICANN decisions that involve public policies:

j. The advice of the Governmental Advisory Committee on public policy matters shall be duly taken into account, both in the formulation and adoption of policies. In the event that the ICANN Board determines to take an action that is not consistent with the Governmental Advisory Committee advice, it shall so inform the Committee and state the reasons why it decided not to follow that advice. The Governmental Advisory Committee and the ICANN Board will then try, in good faith and in a timely and efficient manner, to find a mutually acceptable solution.

k. If no such solution can be found, the ICANN Board will state in its final decision the reasons why the Governmental Advisory Committee advice was not followed, and such statement will be without prejudice to the rights or obligations of Governmental Advisory Committee members with regard to public policy issues falling within their responsibilities.

That, it seems to me, it the sort of joint decisionmaking that qualifies as a "partnership".

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Governments are partners in ICANN by George Matrox

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