To foster sustainability of IGF processes, developing capacity on Internet governance of the next generations of experts and leaders is critical. During each IGF cycle, the IGF Secretariat cooperates with the Host Country and network of Youth IGF initiatives to ensure youth can meaningfully engage in the IGF.
The IGF 2022 design of youth engagement process is underway. Below is the illustration of the 2021 process.
In the framework of the IGF 2021 process, a number of activities are organized to develop Internet governance capacity of young people and have them meaningfully engaged in IGF 2021 processes. In order to achieve this, several activities are planned and already in implementation:
- Outreach toward youth to get involved in the IGF 2021 processes and be informed about other larger global initiatives of interest
- IGF 2021 newsletter for youth
- Networking opportunities at the IGF 2021
- Global Youth Summit at the IGF 2021
These activities are all planned and implemented through a cooperative effort of the Youth IGF of Poland, IGF Secretariat, IGF Host Country, Government of Poland and the Polish Research and Academic Computer Network - NASK. With a number of community members, collaboration is sought to ensure a wide variety of activities and maximise inclusion.
The activities are implemented during both phases of the IGF 2021: preparatory and engagement phase (June-November 2021) and the 16th IGF in Katowice (6-10 December 2021).
Youth at IGF 2021 Preparatory and Engagement Phase
Throughout 2021, there are several open online consultations with youth and those interested in supporting and working with youth. The consultations focus on planning the global Youth IGF Summit at the 16th IGF in Katowice, as well as on understanding the IGF 2021 issue policy areas and the intersessional work.
Please check the IGF calendar for the upcoming webinars.
IGF 2021 Youth Summit
Throughout 2021, there are several open online consultations with youth and those interested in supporting and working with youth. The consultations focus on planning the global Youth IGF Summit at the 16th IGF in Katowice, as well as on understanding the IGF 2021 issue policy areas and the intersessional work.
- IGF 2021 Youth Summit will be hosted on 6 December 2021 at 16:00-18:30 CET. It will focus on good digital policies youth feels they could and should successfully advocate for. All IGF 2021 participants are required to register, regardless if they will participate online or onsite.
Young people are encouraged to apply for the IGF 2021 travel support until 31 August, in planning to participate from the Katowice venue. Online participation is always a meaningful option, as well!
All IGF 2021 session organizers are encouraged to invite youth to participate in their sessions through the IGF youth mailing list.
Youth Competition: My Internet of the Future – write, record, draw and win!
The UN IGF 2021 Host Country Poland organized a global youth competition, "My Internet of the Future"!
Anyone age 18 - 28 can could take part. The competition aimed to include young people from all over the world into 3 entry categories: poster, film or essay, which could be submitted from 1st September to 8th October, 2021.
Visit the competition website to learn about received submissions! More information is available on the Host Country website, and their social media - Facebook, Facebook Event, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok.
IGF 2020 Newsletter for Youth
IGF 2021 activities on youth engagement will be reflected in the monthly newsletter and presented in the public database. Those interested to be reflected in the database and possibly in the newsletter, are encouraged to inform the IGF Secretariat if they comply with the following criteria:
- Existing website with clearly defined scope of work on matters related to youth and Internet governance
- Transparent documentation of work
- International/regional or national impact (* in order of priority)
Subscribe to the IGF youth mailing list through which relevant updates will be shared.