Is ICANN Too American?
ICANN's nationality will be a key issue discussed at the December U.N. World Summit on the Information Society. As Canada's National Post explains, "many critics worry the organization is too closely linked to the United States." Furthermore, the article notes that "Many developing countries and non-governmental organizations want the United Nations to manage the Internet, rather than...a private regulator in California." In contrast to critics opposed to "what they see as the undue influence of the United States on the Internet," ICANN President and CEO Paul Twomey, "an Australian, takes exception to the idea that ICANN is somehow an American institution, pointing out that it is, in fact, a non-governmental organization with wide international representation." Meanwhile, instead of focusing on nationality, the George Soros-supported Internet Democracy Project, seeks to ensure that non-governmental bodies setting internet policy, "adhere to principles of open participation, public accountability and human rights." The key challenge for ICANN is not to be concerned with perceptions of their nationality but to implement appropriate and effective mechanisms for ensuring transparency and accountability.