Youth @IGF Programme

Deadline    : 11st Sept, 2016

Many young people age 18-25 are the first generation of adults to grow up not knowing the world without the Internet.  For those that do not have access, they are some of the people that are pushing hardest for it.


Young people are shaping online culture in so many ways. They use the Internet to meet people around the world, create the videos that go viral, they create art that moves us, and start and stand behind online social movements that make us think. 
They are building their dream Internet.
And yet when it comes to policy discussions, most of them are not at the table. 
We want to change that.
Last year, in cooperation with the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI Brasil), the Internet Society launched the Youth@IGF programme. By training young people about things like Internet Governance, privacy and security, and what it would take to connect the world, we are creating the next generation of Internet leaders. Young people from across Latin America and the Caribbean took a series of online courses. All said they grew to be better equipped to contribute to a global Internet that will both bring opportunities to their communities and the world.
This time, the Internet Society and the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee, along with local partners, NIC México and the Government of México, are partnering to send even more young people through the programme.
The top performers will have a chance to go to the IGF in Guadalajara, México taking place from December 5 -9, 2016. 
If you’re 18-25 and meet the following criteria, please apply to be a Youth@IGF participant.
Build your dream Internet.

About the programme

The programme has 3 phases:
  1. Online course work:
  2. Travel fellowship to IGF 2016, and
  3. A webinar lecture series

Online course

We aim to select 200 participants for the online course. It will take 4 weeks to complete. Topics include:
  • Introduction to Internet Governance
  • Internet Actors and Stakeholder Groups
  • Internet Infrastructure, Standards, and Protocols
  • Internet Policy Principles
If you are selected you will join a class of 30 participants. Each group will have a dedicated moderator. You can take the course in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish.

Travel Fellowship

Up to 100 of the top participants will be selected for the travel fellowship. To be a top participant you must show leadership, commitment and dedication.
The fellowship includes:
  • Airfare costs
  • Hotel accommodation during the event. 
If chosen, you must submit verification of passport and visa for Mexico (if necessary).

Webinar Lecture Series

All travel fellows will then be invited to participate in webinars to further prepare them for the global IGF.

Timeline

  • August 29 -September 11: applications open for the the Youth@IGF programme 
  • 19 September: announcement of the selected candidates 
  • 26 September: start of the online course 
  • 21 October: end of the online course 
  • 31 October: announcement of Youth@IGF fellows
  • 1 November: start of the webinar discussions
  • 4 December: arrival in Guadalajara
Join the Youth@IGF programme.
Applications will be accepted until September 11, 2016
*For Portuguese applications, please apply via our partner, Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI Brasil) website: Apply Now

Selection Criteria

All applicants must be between the ages of 18-25 years.
You must have:
  • Basic awareness of Internet-related issues;
  • Fluency in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish;
  • Be able to write clearly;
  • Be comfortable with public speaking and communicating your positons;
  • Have regular access to the Internet;
  • Alignment with the Internet Society Core principles:
  • Spend a minimum of 8 hours each week during each of the phases;
  • Be ready take part in the meetings or webinars (this is the single most important requirement and should be evaluated seriously by any potential applicant).
The selection committee is focused on professional, geographical, and gender diversity in the overall selections.
Important: There will be an additional selection process for the second phase (Travel Fellowship). It is only available for selected participants who have accomplished the activities with a minimum of 90% participation rate.

Ready to join the Youth@IGF programme?

*For Portuguese applications, please apply via our partner, Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI Brasil) website: Apply Now
Applications will be accepted until September 11, 2016

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