Youth can also help bridge the gap between ICANN and other stakeholders, such as civil society, academia, and technical communities, who may not be familiar with or engaged in ICANN’s policy development process.

Therefore, I urge the NomCom Standing Committee and the Board to consider the following suggestions to enhance grassroots participation for youth in the NomCom process:

Increase the number of seats allocated to youth representatives in the NomCom. Currently, there is only one seat for a NextGen@ICANN participant in the NomCom. This is insufficient to reflect the diversity and views of youth from different regions and backgrounds. I propose that at least two seats be reserved for youth representatives, one from NextGen@ICANN and one from Youth IGF initiatives1, which are also active platforms for youth engagement in Internet governance issues.

Provide more opportunities and support for youth to learn about and participate in the NomCom process. This could include creating a dedicated webpage or portal for youth interested in the NomCom, organizing webinars or workshops to explain the NomCom’s roles and responsibilities, providing mentorship or coaching programs for potential youth candidates or delegates, and facilitating networking and collaboration among youth participants and alumni of the NomCom.

Recognize and value the contributions and skills of youth in the NomCom’s selection criteria. The NomCom should not only look for candidates who have extensive experience or expertise in ICANN-related topics, but also those who have demonstrated leadership, creativity, innovation, or advocacy skills in other areas related to Internet governance. The NomCom should also consider how candidates can contribute to ICANN’s strategic objectives and vision, such as fostering diversity, inclusion, trust, and collaboration among stakeholders.

also urge ICANN to declare its fundamental values that would guide its decision-making.