DC Schools on Internet Governance (DC-SIG)

DC-SIG at the 18 IGF

Meeting of the DC-SIG at the 18 IGF, Kyoto, Japan, 2023

11th October, 2023, 10:30 local time, WS Room 11.
Meeting Co-chairs: Avri Doria, Sandra Hoferichter (onsite)

Session report

Session Presentation

Schools on Internet Governance (SIGs) are an important initiative that help with creating and strengthening capacity in Internet Governance. Regional SIGs have been operating in all the regions of the world, while national SIGs exist in many, but not all, countries. The DC-SIG provides a common platform where SIGs can discuss matters of their interest, share information, share innovations and discuss adaptive mechanisms as they evolve. While the global pandemic did adversely impact many SIGs, most are now back in a fully functional manner.

This session took stock of the current status of SIGs, support community members who want to establish SIGs in countries that do not have them, and examined how SIGs can improve themselves by adapting new programmes and courses.

As part of each yearly meeting, the DC-SIG takes on a topic of specific interest for discussion and further development of plans. This year, the DC looked at how the DC-SIG can contribute to developing curricula in support of SDGs as the focus.

  1. Slideshow of existing SIGs was shown and a presentation of the recently formed Japan SIG. New schools were given a chance to describe their schools.
  2. Schools on Internet Governance (SIGs) and their impact to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG 5,7 and 16)

SDG 5 on gender equality.

  • Ms Sandra Hoferichter (EuroSSIG):
    Schools on Internet Governance (SIGs) contribute to this SDG because they are inclusive and the thematics are various. SIGs are a good effort to fill the gender gap in education and to help promote women in leadership positions. For many years the application numbers of the EuroSSIG show that more women are interested in these topics.
  • Anriette Esterhuysen:
    AfriSIG addresses SDG 5 through developing women as leaders in IG and by including gender specific topics in the programme. Examples would be sessions on online gender-based violence and on the gender digital divide and how to respond.
  • Ashrafur Rahman Piaus (bdSIG):
    Bangladesh SIG works with the rural people on the SDG 5 and 9 by having women in their school and helping them achieve including transgender and many other marginalized community also

SDG 7 on access to energy

  • Ms Olga Cavalli (South SIG and Argentina SIG):
    Access to energy has a great link with climate change. So in this SIG they have a few panels discussing the impact of consuming energy. The other aspect of energy, it’s important to notice that there is a gap between some areas which have access to energy and others don’t. In the SIG, they talked with different experts and panelists about this issue.

Other SDGs

  • Mr Alexander Isavnin (Russia SIG) speaks on SDG about peace and justice:
    The SIGs can help build new standards. Help enforce the multistakeholder process like in ICANN. Also enforces inclusion and effectiveness.
  • SDG 8.6 Pakistan SIG conducts a session on digital entrepreneurship inspiring the youth to capitalize on the economic opportunities on the internet. For the SDG 9.5 (c), Access to the internet, they organize sessions on Access and Inclusion where Government and private sector brief the audience about their plans for expansion of ICT services and state of infrastructure in that city/area where school is being held (pkSIG is held at a different city every year).
  • Some SIGs sometimes discuss topics about SDGs but not all the time
  • So it is a good point to dive in after this session to see how the SIGs are promoted and present in Japan for example.
  • Abdeldjalil Bachar Bong for Chad SIG point is that every SIG in their own and specific way already contributes to the SDG topics

Roundtable Discussion on the evolution of SIGs

  • SIGs are becoming references on IG in many countries on different topics : cybersecurity, regulations, and need to bring clarity to the IG understandings
  • The SIGs can have a root in a solid curriculum and then adapt the content to a special target group to produce flexible and adaptable content.
  • The SIGs can share their resources on the SIGs wiki and website to help others and promote their own achievements. This may align with the concept of open education.
  • There are different types of SIGs who cater for different groups of people.