More than half of the world’s young people live in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region (source). In fact, the next billion Internet users will come from this region. To the emerging generation, the Internet is synonymous with social media and the mobile devices they have used from an early age.
But the Internet is so much more. The free and open Internet that we enjoy would be impossible without the efforts of the many people who work “behind the scenes.”
Do these young people know about these efforts? How can we help them realize that as participants in this connected world, they should care? How can we teach them about the factors and actors that keep the Internet inclusive and successful? How can we encourage them to become the voices of APAC in discussions that shape the future of Internet policies?
In the next few months, we will address these questions when we turn our attention to young aspiring leaders in the APAC Internet community. Two programs in the APAC region will target the next generation: the Asia Pacific Internet Governance Academy in Seoul, Korea; and NextGen@ICANN, in Hyderabad, India.
I’m privileged to have been involved in the conception of these two programs, which would not have taken off without the strong support of our regional partners. I encourage the next generation in the APAC region to join so they can learn how the Internet works and, ultimately, determine the future of the Internet.
Asia Pacific Internet Governance Academy
8–12 August 2016, Seoul, Korea
The inaugural Asia Pacific Internet Governance Academy (APIGA 2016) is hosted by Yonsei University. The organizers are ICANN and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA). Successful applicants will have a chance to learn about Internet governance and the work of ICANN and regional organizations.
Applications are open until 1 July. All APAC students from tertiary educational institutions are eligible. Successful applicants will be awarded fellowships for the program.
NextGen@ICANN at ICANN57
3–9 November 2016, Hyderabad, India
NextGen@ICANN will come full circle when the program returns to APAC. The program was inaugurated at ICANN49 Singapore in 2014. Since then, ICANN’s Development and Public Responsibility Department has conducted the program successfully in different regions.
Wilson Lam, Ambassador at NetMission.Asia, and one of the organizers of the first NextGen@ICANN, talks about the program:
“The support from ICANN has allowed us to take youth empowerment models on Internet governance to new heights. NextGen@ICANN at ICANN49 Singapore was a success in terms of how it was able to engage and nurture the next generation in APAC. I think it showed the youths in this region how they can help shape the future of the Internet. I’m happy to see the program come back to APAC, and urge budding leaders from the APAC Internet community to involve themselves in this useful program.”