In the last three years, APNIC has taken part in the Asia Pacific Internet Governance Academy (APIGA). Lead by ICANN and KISA, and designed as an initiation workshop, it allows young enthusiasts to participate more actively in Internet governance discussions.
Since 2016, the APIGA program — held annually in different South Korean universities for five days — has evolved considerably, including informative and interactive workshops, group and mock sessions, educational games, and practical simulations of Internet governance discussions. These discussions cover issues such as privacy, access, human rights, cybersecurity and Domain Name System related matters, such as new generic Top-Level Domains.
Each APIGA comprises a group of around 40 selected participants (aged between 18 to 35), half from South Korea and half from across the Asia Pacific region. Participants spend a week together with around 20 staff and community members from Internet organizations such as VNNIC, JPNIC, TWNIC, KISA, APTLD, dot Asia, ICANN, ISOC and APNIC, to share experiences and debate contemporary issues related to Internet governance in the Asia Pacific region.
At the most recent APIGA meeting in Gwangju (23-27 August 2018), participants shared views on new legislative processes on privacy and cybercrime around the region.
For APNIC, APIGA means an opportunity to engage with the next generation of network operators, technical community leaders, and future APNIC Members. The views by this group of young ‘digital natives’ on how they want the Internet to work, detached from the history on how the Internet protocol evolved, are refreshing and important to consider. Listening to their hopes for a better Internet ecosystem, and enthusiasm to take active part in Internet governance discussions, should encourage our organizations to adapt existing channels for participation and decision making to be more welcoming of fresh contributions from youth.
This dialogue that APIGA is designed to foster with newcomers to the Internet governance arena is essential to guarantee sustainability of the Internet governance model that depends heavily on active participation from the community. In the absence of initiatives like APIGA, we run the risk of eroding the interest and curiosity that Internet governance matters may spark in the next generation of Internet leaders from the Asia Pacific.
The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.
Congrats to all the young fellows who participates APIGA!! I think it is the best platform for Internet Governance.
Thanks Farha! I think so too!
A good team of technical and Policy mentors conducting this program. We can make sure the future we will be having a good team of knowledgeable people to work for Internet technologies
Agree Ziyam!
I’m glad to be participated in this platform for youth engagement on Internet governance (IG) issues.
The game “How the Internet Works” organized by APNIC in the 1st day of APIGA 2018 was fun and interested.
Group work on Internet Governance (IG) issues was also great since we can learn from each participant about the issues we encountered from our countires.
On day 4, we have a chance to gain first-hand experience of how ICANN meetings are conducted and better understanding of the ICANN multistakeholder decision-making process.
Thank you APNIC , APIGA and all the contributors. Wish you all have a continuous success.
Thanks for your comment Sein Ma Ma! Glad you enjoyed the IPGO game! Until next time.