Report on the 2008 IGF Hyderabad Best Practice Forum:
Internet Governance Capacity Building (Workshop no. 62)
5 December 2008, 16:30-18:00, Room 7
Organizers and Panellists
Organiser:
DiploFoundation
Partner:
ISOC Venezuela
Chair and Presenter:
Vladimir Radunovic, Coordinator, IG Capacity Building Programme, DiploFoundation
Key Speakers:
Priyanthi Daluwatte, Diplo Foundation, Sri Lanka
Virginia Paque, ISOC, Venezuela
Tony Ming, Commonwealth Secretariat
Sivasubramanian Muthusamy, ISOC, India
Marilia Maciel, IGF Remote Participation Working Group, Brazil
Rafik Dammak, Youth, Tunisia
Summary of Discussion
Goals
"Adequate resources have not been available to build capacity in a range of areas relevant to Internet management at the national level and to ensure effective participation in global Internet governance, particularly for developing countries." (WGIG Report, 2005)
This workshop introduced important concepts for effective participation in digital online learning for Internet Governance Capacity Building, highlighting DiploFoundation’s approach to Internet Governance capacity development training programs - both online and in situ. A main focus was presenting follow-up activities by Diplo alumni and joint activities with Diplo partners to show the effectiveness of dynamic committed learning process that can be achieved online.
The workshop motto was “how to go beyond training” in order to “develop capacities on a long term base” - produce a multiplier effect, create a community of practitioners and involve them in national and global processes.
Panellists:
1. Introduction to Diplo’s work and IG Capacity Building Programme; Priyanthi Daluwatte, Sri Lanka, DiploFoundation trainer, presented the concept of the Program, the methodology of the online training, main goals and objectives.
2. IG training for India - how the same methodology can be used for local/regional training of professionals and officials, in this case in India as a lead-up activity to the IGF in Hyderabad. Also included were perspectives on a bilingual approach allowing students to present their coursework in languages other than English (Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish); Virginia Paque, coordinator, DiploFoundation.
3. From a perspective of a successful student and trainer; Priyanthi Daluwatte, Sri Lanka, DiploFoundation trainer and IG for India participant Sivasubramanian Muthusamy, India.
4. Capacity Building as a step into the implementation of knowledge was presented by Tony Ming from the Commonwealth Secretariat, who gave their perspective on CB on a local and regional level, describing successful outcomes of Commonwealth and Diplo cooperation in delivering IG and ICT Policy and Strategic Plan training in South Africa, Swazililand, Botswana and other Commonwealth countries. He also mentioned future cooperation possibilities for the Caribbean and other projects,
5. Online Capacity Development concepts for dynamic participation: the importance of generating interaction between all actors in order to achieve maximum knowledge exchange; Virginia Paque, coordinator, DiploFoundation.
6. Beyond CB: bottom-up activities by Community of practitioners – the Remote participation initiative for the Hyderabad, IGF including traditional RP and Remote Hubs; Marilia Maciel.
7. Maintaining community spirit: how to keep the community, particularly the youth, engaged through initiatives such as coordinating the IGF article for Wikipedia, and through platforms such as Social Networks; Rafik Dammak, Tunisia.
Key Points
Program training methodology:
- Multistakeholder-profile of participants with diverse backgrounds and professions, regional and age diversity.
- Knowledge and experience exchange among the participants as a dynamic base for knowledge exchange: this is particularly important in online courses to avoid “losing” participants because of isolation and lack of peer-to-peer commitment and facilitator presence. Possibilities to increase dynamic interactions were visually diagrammed.
- Multilingualism in practice with bilingual sections: English, English/Arabic, English/French, English/Portuguese and English/Spanish, allowing for exploration of topics in English, as well as expression of ideas in other languages.
- Course-Research-Fellowship approach: Internships with IGF Secretariat, IGF and other meetings for immersion in policy processes and application of knowledge.
- Tutoring and per-topic discussion facilitation by peers: bringing in current issues and controversies that are of significance to each group.
- Online communication through the learning platform based on web2.0 communication tools: The interaction is text-based in order to be convenient for the participants from least developed countries, and all those that might be limited to dial-up connection. Diplo is also testing webinars, remote participation tools and the Second Life Program for some online meetings as well as other alternatives and emerging issues.
- Regional implementation of the IGCBP methodology
Bringing the local content and problems into focus, and further encouraging regional partnerships and initiatives developed by participants from these regions.
- Additional Forum Discussion:
Highlights included examples and first-person accounts from IG for India participants and others. This generated discussion about effective online technique and the importance of personalized interactions, personal experiences, and plans for the future.
Ms. Nevine Tewfik (Egypt) from Cyber-Peace International joined in the discussion from the floor to mention the planning of joint collaboration between CPI and Diplo in similar training programs in the field of Internet Safety.
Former Indian Ambassador and Diplo Senior Fellow Kishan Rana emphasized the importance of this kind of development initiatives and the necessity to support wide coverage of online programmes.
There was a high level of interest in the Remote Participation (Traditional RP and Hubs) initiative and the Youth and Web 2.0 projects. Discussants found the continuing projects to be intriguing for inclusion and follow-up initiatives.
Follow-up
Regional educational and training institutions are encouraged to consider the similar training approach for building capacities within their region, related to the IG in general or to specific regional concerns. Diplo will be available for any assistance and partnership.
Diplo’s IGCB Programme will continue looking for partners who are interested in helping Diplo IG team develop and improve the programme for the years to come in order to provide as many people from the developing countries with the opportunity to learn more about the most emerging issues related to the Internet as well as to involve them in the global and local debate on IG.
The IGF Wikipedia project continues, particularly with updates on the 2008 Hyderabad Meeting.
New members signed on to Youth projects to generate more engagement through Web.2 and new resources.
The IGF Remote Participation initiative is already working on preparations for the IGF 2009 Meeting.
Relevant Organizations and ways of communicating with DiploFoundation
DiploFoundation
ig at diplomacy . edu
Additional material
IGCBP on web:
http://www.diplomacy.edu/ig/IG
Diplo’s IG Resources (basic training/learning materials):
http://www.diplomacy.edu/ig/Resources/default.asp
Diplo’s IG Research Projects (done under the research phase of the IGCBP):
http://www.diplomacy.edu/ig/Research/
IGF Remote Participation Working Group
Wikipedia IGF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Governance_Forum