ICANN For Beginners

New to ICANN? Here you'll find valuable information to help you get started on your ICANN journey. Explore our learning courses, infographics, videos, and other resources.

ICANN for Beginners

Welcome to ICANN. Learn more about what we do, how we work, and how your talents, expertise, and enthusiasm can help advance ICANN’s mission in your region and globally. 

What Role Does ICANN Play in How the Internet Works?

ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other.

ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.

Want to learn more about ICANN's role? Check out the video, course, and infographic below. You will need to create an ICANN Account to use ICANN Learn.

card image - What Does ICANN Do Infographic
EXPLORE

What Does ICANN Do Infographic

card image - What Does ICANN Do Infographic
EXPLORE

What Does ICANN Do Infographic

What Are Some of the Initiatives ICANN Is Working On?

ICANN works on many initiatives to advance its mission. Learn more about how ICANN initiatives in domain name security threats, capacity-building, and the expansion of the Internet are shaping the future of the Internet.

Why You Should Get Involved

Looking to make real lasting impact on a global scale? When you participate at ICANN, you are part of a global community helping ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. You'll also gain valuable skills through professional development and connect with new people.

Use your skills to make an impact. You can help shape the future of the Internet. Whether you have expertise in technology, business, law, governance, or the creative sector, or are simply a concerned citizen, your skills and perspective help ICANN develop and implement policies that are in the public interest.

Develop personal and professional skills. Participating in ICANN is a great way to stay informed of emerging Internet technologies and the policies that govern them. Community members learn to sharpen their listening, critical thinking, and communications skills, while working to build consensus among stakeholders representing many different interests and regions.

Grow your network and expand your world view. Many of the world’s largest and most innovative companies, as well as governments, and individual experts make their voices heard through ICANN’s multistakeholder model of governance. Becoming a community member enables you to meet and discuss the future of the Internet with people from all over the globe, representing many sectors, including business, government, intergovernmental organizations, technology, and civil society.

How Your Skills Can Make an Impact

Fidya Shabrina is a founder of the Center for Digital Society in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. She was drawn to ICANN's work because she knows how the Internet affects our lives.
undefined
Fidya first heard of ICANN while studying digital citizenship and smart cities at Universitas Gadjah Mada. She saw ICANN as a place to share research and learn about privacy policies. She joined the NextGen@ICANN Program in 2016.
undefined
"Everyone uses the Internet, but not everyone understands how it works," she says. She hopes to get more people in Indonesia and the APAC region involved. "We should contribute by sharing our ideas for a better, stronger Internet."
undefined
Since earning her master’s degree, Fidya has been interested in Universal Acceptance and cybersecurity. She’s eager to help connect technical experts, researchers, governments, and Internet users to help more people access the Internet.
undefined
Fidya finds ICANN’s format welcoming, with people at all levels open to helping her understand the issues. The way people talk and listen within the ICANN community has encouraged her to learn more, she says.
undefined
Six years after her first ICANN meeting, Fidya says the challenge and fun of ICANN is lifelong learning. "You’ll find people in ICANN want to hear fresh perspectives. Newcomers have a power with new ways of looking at things."
undefined
undefined
Fidya Shabrina is a founder of the Center for Digital Society in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. She was drawn to ICANN's work because she knows how the Internet affects our lives.
undefined
Fidya first heard of ICANN while studying digital citizenship and smart cities at Universitas Gadjah Mada. She saw ICANN as a place to share research and learn about privacy policies. She joined the NextGen@ICANN Program in 2016.
undefined
"Everyone uses the Internet, but not everyone understands how it works," she says. She hopes to get more people in Indonesia and the APAC region involved. "We should contribute by sharing our ideas for a better, stronger Internet."
undefined
Since earning her master’s degree, Fidya has been interested in Universal Acceptance and cybersecurity. She’s eager to help connect technical experts, researchers, governments, and Internet users to help more people access the Internet.
undefined
Fidya finds ICANN’s format welcoming, with people at all levels open to helping her understand the issues. The way people talk and listen within the ICANN community has encouraged her to learn more, she says.
undefined
Six years after her first ICANN meeting, Fidya says the challenge and fun of ICANN is lifelong learning. "You’ll find people in ICANN want to hear fresh perspectives. Newcomers have a power with new ways of looking at things."

How Do You Get Involved?

Begin your ICANN journey where you feel most comfortable. You can start by learning the basics through our online interactive courses and resources or reading about the initiatives we support. If you would rather meet people face-to-face or virtually, connect with your regional ICANN team or find an event to attend. Unsure of which ICANN community group best suits your interests? Use our helpful Find Your Group feature to help you with your search. Consider immersing yourself in the ICANN community by applying to our NextGen@ICANN or Fellowship Program and attending an ICANN Public Meeting.

|
ICANN for Beginners Virtual Program

Check out the new webinar of the ICANN for Beginners Virtual Program!

The ICANN for Beginners: Policy and Advice Development webinar will take place on 3 and 4 April 2024.