[IGFmaglist] Newcomer track proposal

Mon Sep 5 11:52:53 EDT 2016

Great proposal!

Two suggestions (see square brackets (red) in text):

1st para: add ‘new’ before ‘experts’ to emphasize that we want to bring new faces to the IGF.

2nd para: add a new sentence reflecting the use of the Conference app for Newcomer identification.
Last year at IGF2015, participants were able to use the IGF2015 app. This tool turned out to be very useful. If the IGF2016 app will be developed, then it should also facilitate Newcomer identification. This could be done for example by inserting a new field in the app focussing on and if possible listing the ‘Newcomers’. Using this tool will certainly help Newcomers to get in touch with each other (and other participants), create their own schedule of meetings they want to attend and find other relevant information. Just an idea.

Best regards,

Arnold

Van: Igfmaglist [mailto:igfmaglist-bounces at intgovforum.org] Namens Bianca Ho
Verzonden: maandag 5 september 2016 4:53
Aan: igfmaglist at intgovforum.org
Onderwerp: [IGFmaglist] Newcomer track proposal

Hi all,

Thanks to Laura, Ginger and Anja - we have come up with the below proposal for newcomers to the IGF 2016:

Please feel free to comment. Thanks!

Proposal to the IGF MAG 2016 for establishing the Newcomers Track at the IGF 2016 Meeting

About
 As the IGF’s mandate is extended for the next 10 years, participation is critical for developing, enriching and implementing the intersessional work. Bringing [new] experts and fresh ideas to the global IGF is equally important to enrich these discussions and to ensure all sectors and regions are well represented.  Alongside implementing the global IGF’s outcomes on a national and regional level, enhancing local discussions are also a crucial aspect. Thus, outreach and people-focused capacity building should be the IGF’s focus.   The communities on all levels need to have a broader understanding of the Internet Governance (IG) processes in order to be fully engaged in the overall IGF work and help spread the message and impact of the IGF. Outreach to different interested stakeholders and communities regarding the IGF intersessional work is key to its continued success.
Historically, the IGF has not gathered data on the number of newcomers who participate each year at its annual meeting. In order to allow these stats to be tracked and improved on, it is recommended to insert an additional field in the online Registration Form for the Newcomers to indicate if it is their first IGF Meeting. It is also suggested that the Newcomers should also receive a badge with a visible colour mark on it, in order to identify them as Newcomers and encourage more experienced IGF participants to help integrate them into community, and make their first IGF as productive and welcoming as possible. [The IGF2016 app could also be used to facilitate Newcomer identification.]

Proposal
 The Proposed activities are aiming for continuous activities over all five days of the IGF, including Day 0, as described below. The intention is to be fully inclusive in this work, thus a series of dedicated sessions will be developed, as explained below. As there are concerns that having only onsite sessions might have an exclusive impact on the participants that will come later to the venue, or more importantly, the interested participants that would like to be involved and informed on this way, but cannot attend in person, a set of pre-meeting briefing packages will be created and shared online with the wider community, two weeks before the meeting dates. These briefing packages might also help the Newcomers to engage better with the IGF and become encouraged to attend, onsite or online, for the future time being.
Online participation should be available within all proposed sessions.
Day 0: Mentor Session
This is intended to be a 90-minute session, where representatives of the IGF Secretariat and MAG Members will begin by explaining the history of the IGF, and its main principles and work modalities in order for the newcomers to be able to understand the background, and how the multi-stakeholder model is being implemented in practice.

After this introduction segment (of approximately 20 minutes), the rest of the session will be a substantive one, focusing on the overall theme, as well as the thematic workshops, BPFs and other main sessions.
The last segment of the session will be a Q&A section, and will invite the participants to ask questions and express any suggestions and comments they may have.

It would be desirable if Mentors would be the co-facilitators of the IGFs Main/Focus Sessions.

Meeting Days: Knowledge Cafe Sessions
On the regular meeting days, during the lunch period, there will be a 45-60 minute informal session open to all Newcomers. The proposed idea is for the Participants to have close interaction with some of the experienced stakeholders from the IGF community and to discuss the IGF processes, substantive issues and ways of engagement for them. The aim is to create a more intimate and relaxing atmosphere, where networking and sharing experiences will be easier than the large day 0 session.  The knowledge café sessions will also have remote participation.

Newcomers Booth
Hosting a Newcomers Booth in the IGF would provide a focal point for newcomer integration and networking with each other, but also with more experienced IGF stakeholders. It could also serve as an information/ help point to provide ongoing support throughout the week of the IGF.
The proposed activity would be to collaborate with the joint Booth of the NRIs and ask for dedicated time-slots during every meeting day. This would have the added bonus of helping link newcomers to IGF activities in their country or region, or to help give them ideas and contacts to start their own if nothing currently exists.
We will also create an email for newcomers.
Alternatively, we can also have signs for Newcomer Friendly signs.

Welcoming Material
A welcoming material for the Newcomers should be developed. A 2-pager information material and online material will have a short overview if the IGF processes and will address the ways for them to engage and benefit from the IGF.  This could be made available to all (new) participants on registration.
Prior to attending the IGF, a public call for all newcomers will be launched, to send their questions. These will be gathered together into a list of Q&A and shared with all Participants using the mailing list. These Q&A list will be integrated in the welcoming, information material, as well. It is desirable to organize a series of webinars for introduction (or Q&A sessions), prior to the Meeting, to be shared with the participants and wider community. The webinars will be focused on the organizational principles of the global IGF.
Action plans:

1.     Call for formation of Newcomers advocacy/outreach working group

2.     Creating the email for newcomers

3.     Pre-event briefing packets: Prepare scenarios for webinars  and content for information materials. Develop all materials, format it and make available to the participants and the community

________________________________
Bianca Ho
NetMission Ambassador 2008-2009

T: (852) 9363 0913
E:  bianca at netmission.asia<mailto:bianca at netmission.asia>

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