Frank Fowlie, formerly a senior official with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and an experienced conflict resolution specialist, has been appointed by the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) as its Ombudsman. Mr. Fowlie will operate from his own offices but have access to ICANN’s offices in Marina del Ray and Brussels.

The role of the ICANN Ombudsman is to provide an independent internal evaluation of complaints by members of the ICANN community who may believe that ICANN staff, the Board or an ICANN constituent body has treated them unfairly. One of the first things the new Ombudsman will be charged with is to develop the operational framework in which he will carry out his duties.

For the ICANN press release on the Ombudsman appointment, visit:
http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-24nov04-2.htm.

For an introduction to and the text of ICANN’s Draft Strategic Plan (on which public comment is sought), see:
http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-16nov04.htm.

Summary by: The Editor