Emerging Leaders for the Digital World
Emerging Leaders for the Digital World
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Date
2009
Authors
Nyasulu, Ulemu
Mathur, Dhrupad
Purcell, Fuatai
Walubengo, John
Cretu, Veronica
Paque, Ginger
Lohento, Ken
Radunovic, Vladimir
Bokonbaeva, Janyl
Thompson, Abigail Mercy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
DiploFoundation
Abstract
Description
The Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP) assists individuals involved in Internet governance issues from countries with limited financial and human resources to develop the skills and knowledge required to participate meaningfully inthe global debate on Internet governance. In the past two years, Diplo has trained 267 individuals - government officials, businesspersons, civil society activists, journalists, and academics - from over 82 countries worldwide. The programme has three main components: training, policy research, and policy immersion. These activities are organised during the year, culminating in participation at the annual Internet Governance Forum,
usually held in November.
TRAINING COURSE IN INTERNET GOVERNANCE (MARCH – JUNE)
The training course starts with a two-month introduction to Internet governance, followed by two months of specialised studies on issues such as privacy and security, jurisdiction,
arbitration and liability, the digital divide and universal access, infrastructure and economic models, e-commerce, multilingualism and diversity, e-governance and e-voting, emerging
issues, and network neutrality. The course uses a collaborative approach to online learning: intensive discussion and interaction among participants and tutors enhance the individual learning experience. Assessment of participants combines on-going evaluation and an end-of-course examination. Participants who successfully complete the programme receive a certificate in Internet Governance from the DiploFoundation.
POLICY RESEARCH (JULY – OCTOBER)
In this period, participants address in greater depth some of the important issues in the field of Internet governance. This year, the research themes included:
• Business models and legal responses dealing with digital content
• The balance between citizen rights to information and the rights of IPR holders
• E-commerce in developing countries
• Security issues and wireless technologies
• Regulation vs. spam
• Human rights, privacy, and identity
• Strategies for bridging the digital divide without external funds
• WiMax and fibre optic submarine cables
• Internet governance institutions and framework
• Information and communication technology for civic participation and youth involvement
• E-democracy
The research demands online team participation involving three to four members. The results of each team’s research is presented and promoted both through the Internet
and at the main Internet governance meetings.
POLICY IMMERSION (DURING THE PROGRAMME)
Policy immersion consists of a series of fellowships and capacity building packages that provide participants with practical experience in Internet governance issues. These include
placements with the Secretariat of the Internet Governance Forum and other partner institutions and participation at the main regional and global meetings related to Internet governance. This year the IGCBP participants have been involved in a number of events: the European Internet Governance Summer School in Meissen, the ICANN Studienkreis in Warsaw, other ICANN meetings, the “Connect Africa” Conference in Kigali, the Internet Governance Forum in Rio de Janeiro, and the Global Knowledge Partnership in Kuala Lumpur.