Hi Vittorio

On 02/08/2017 12:03, Vittorio Bertola wrote:

Il 1 agosto 2017 alle 23.47 denis <ripedenis@yahoo.co.uk> ha scritto:

"Part of my job is to help LEAs understand this process and how their suggestions on changing policy would impact the broader RIPE community, such as making changes to the RIPE Database, for example, that would make it easier for them to find the closest service provider to an end user engaged in criminal
activity. This isn't special treatment, though �the RIPE NCC also helps governments, network operators, banks, business owners or anyone else interested in submitting a policy proposal do these things as well. It's part of our job as
the RIPE secretariat."

I was under the impression that this is the function of the NCC
Impact Statement within the PDP. Neither does ripe-642 mention
any discussions with or "help" from the NCC prior to the working
group process. Perhaps someone can amplify on this?

It has always been part of the RIPE NCC's work to help with understanding and following process. That is why they write documentation, run training courses and have Customer Support. Whether it is written or not, it has been said many times that the PDO will assist anyone who wishes to write a policy proposal.

Just as a suggestion, though, I will point out that stating "we don't treat governmental LEAs better, because we also help governments, us, people with money, people with money or anyone else" is not a great way to present this working plan. The list of targets for help should also include NGOs, academics, developers, free software projects, civil society groups and individual Internet users at large, i.e. constituencies that have a much harder time than governments and businesses to get heard into any bottom-up Internet policy-making process.

It is not a question of 'getting heard', it is knowing you have a voice and where to use it. Literally anyone can join a discussion on a Working Group mailing list, make comments, ask questions, agree or disagree with other comments, propose a policy. The RIPE NCC's Policy Development Officer will help anyone who wants to propose a policy in any area of concern. It would be nice to have a wider participation and hear more voices in some discussions.

Neither the RIPE NCC nor the RIPE community has a list of 'targets'. Over the last 10 years governments and LEAs have taken much more interest in the Internet management, operation and governance. This is not unexpected as the Internet has become so integral in so many people's lives. As they have asked questions the RIPE NCC, under the guidance of the RIPE Community and RIPE NCC membership, has reached out to answer those questions. If any of the groups you mentioned also join discussions and ask questions they will also be heard and answered.

cheers
denis

Regards,

Vittorio Bertola | Research & Innovation Engineer
vittorio.bertola@open-xchange.com 
Open-Xchange Srl - Office @ Via Treviso 12, 10144 Torino, Italy