The At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) is a statutory advisory body within the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). It was created in 2002 with a singular mission: to represent the interests and voice of individual Internet users from around the world. Unlike other ICANN bodies that represent industry, government, or technical groups, the ALAC is the primary organizational home for the "At-Large Community," ensuring that the end-user perspective is considered in ICANN's policy-making and decision-making processes.
How Does It Work?
The ALAC's structure is a bottom-up, decentralized model. It is composed of 15 members: 10 members selected by the five Regional At-Large Organizations (RALOs) and five members appointed by ICANN's Nominating Committee. This structure ensures broad geographic representation from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America/Caribbean, and North America. The ALAC and the broader At-Large Community provide crucial policy advice on a range of issues, from new top-level domains to privacy and security, through public comments, reports, and direct advice to the ICANN Board.
Key Purpose and Activities
Policy Advice Development: The ALAC analyzes and provides advice on proposed ICANN policies, ensuring they reflect the needs and views of individual users.
Organization Building: It focuses on outreach, capacity building, and engagement to empower individual Internet users to participate in ICANN's work.
Advocacy: It acts as a counterbalance to technical and commercial interests, championing the rights and needs of the everyday Internet user.
