Application Deadline: 12th of June 2016, 22:00 GMT
iRights, in cooperation with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and LIRNEasia, with the financial support of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, are pleased to announce the call for applications for a fellowship to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Academy.
IGF are looking for national champions in the field of freedom of expression and / or Internet governance. The fellowship will enable fellows to receive mentoring from internationally renowned experts in the Internet governance process, to participate in a regional workshop with champions from other countries, and to participate in the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Guadalajara, Mexico, from December 4th to 10th.
The project seeks to foster and enhance freedom of expression on the Internet and inclusive and transparent national Internet governance and policy processes through the creation and/or consolidation of multistakeholder, national Internet Governance structures in Africa and Asia. To achieve this, the IGF Academy will bring together eight national champions from four African countries (Namibia, South Africa, Congo Brazzaville, Togo) and eight national champions from four Asian countries (Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Bangladesh).
The IGF Academy Fellowships
The fellowship will provide experienced individuals with the opportunity to:
- Receive mentoring from internationally renowned Internet governance practitioners
- Deepen their understanding of Internet governance issues and processes
- Expand their networks nationally, regionally and globally
- Develop a strategic roadmap to strengthen existing or initiate inclusive national Internet Governance processes in their countries
- Peer learning with experts from their country, their region and cross-regionally
- Participate in a regional training event
- Participate in a training event at the global IGF
- Participate in the global UN IGF 2016 in Guadalajara
- Be part of a (cross)regional and UN global dialogue on freedom of expression and information preparing for the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
The fellowship period runs from June – December 2016.
Successful applicants will receive assistance and funding for travel, accommodation and meals to attend:
- One training event in their region (3 days), dates and location to be determined
- The UN Internet Governance Forum, Guadalajara, Mexico and a one-day pre-IGF workshop, December 4- 10 2016
Selection Criteria:
Two fellows per country will be selected, one of them experienced in the human rights field, the other with experience in Internet governance processes.
In order to qualify applicants must be based in one of these countries:
- Namibia,
- Republic of the Congo,
- Togo,
- South Africa,
- Myanmar,
- Sri Lanka,
- Bhutan,
- Bangladesh
and be able to demonstrate that they
- Are proficient in English (oral and written)
- Are committed to the use of the Internet as a driver for development, democracy and human rights and Internet governance
- Are self-motivated and able to work independently
- Have fundraising and resource mobilisation skills at a national level
- Have the capacity to build networks and to convene stakeholders from a variety of sectors
Depending on their profile (freedom of expression / Internet governance), candidates must have a proven track-record in
- Human rights work (especially freedom of expression) at a national level
- Internet governance and/or public policy, especially in national regulatory ICT processes
The Application
Qualified applicants are requested to express their interest by filling the form.*
Only fully completed applications will be considered.
*Your personal data will be transmitted using SSL encryption
In case you have further questions regarding the application process, please contact us by email at igf-academy [at] iRights [dot] info.
Applications will be accepted until the 12th of June 2016, 22:00 GMT.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Academy Fellowships 2016