Re: [hrpc] Politics, representation, and the charter (was Re: HRPC recharter)

[Eliot Lear <[e-mail]>]

Hi Niels,

On 18.04.23 17:10, Niels ten Oever wrote:
> Dear Andrew,
>
> You argue that there (still) is a lack of understanding among 
> governments about the work of the IETF, isn't that exactly 
> illustrating why an RG charter change is needed?

I don't think that follows.  An RG charter change cannot solve confusion 
between the IETF and IRTF, nor can it commit the IETF to anything.

>
> Apparently the work of other organizations to increase understanding 
> about the workings of the IETF haven't sufficiently succeeded.

I am not sure that the IETF inner workings should need to be visible to 
those who don't wish to involve themselves, and I think Andrew's point 
is that making the distinction is hopeless *anyway*. And this is where 
it gets tricky.  I wouldn't fault anyone in the least for eliding the 
IETF and IRTF when talking to policy makers.  Our structure and 
“branding” simply doesn't make that easy for others to comprehend.

But that means we have to be quite precise as to what We (for our 
aggregated definition of "We") say we are doing.  And that isn't easy.

Eliot