Applications are open for YouthxPolicyMakers Program 2021. This Call for Participation is addressed to young people aged 16-30 worldwide interested in or already active within the field of digital policy. Participation in the program is free of charge. You can apply by filling out the below form by 23 July 2021. Selected participants will be notified before 10 August.

Previous involvement in Youth IGF or other internet governance or youth initiatives is welcome, but not a prerequisite. The program is looking for motivated individuals who feel that their voice has something to contribute to the debate on internet governance.

Youth meets policymakers

Ahead of the roundtables, preparatory workshops will be held August-September 2021. These collaborative meetings will address specific topics within Internet governance, and also contain methodic segments on advocacy work and effective youth participation. Besides getting the opportunity to learn from experts, participants will benefit from each other’s expertise and work together to formulate policy recommendations or advocacy strategies.

Focus Areas

The thematic discussions will revolve mainly around the IGF 2021 focus areas:

• Economic and social inclusion and human rights.
• Universal access and meaningful connectivity.
• Emerging regulation: market structure, content, data and consumer/users rights regulation.
• Environmental sustainability and climate change.
• Inclusive Internet governance ecosystems and digital cooperation.
• Trust, security, stability.

Criteria

In order to participate in the YouthxPolicyMakers program, applicants

• have to be between 16 and 30 years of age.
• show a strong interest and/or previous activities in digital policy or Internet governance.
• can be based anywhere in the world – the program is decentral.
• need to have a working level of English.
• be available and willing between August and December 2021 to actively participate in training activities, group and individual assignments, and in policy roundtables with high-level policymakers.

Important Dates 

• Application: until July 23, 2021
• Selection of Participants: until August 10, 2021
• Workshop Phase: end of August through September 2021 (4 workshops)
• Roundtables with High-Level Policy Makers: October and November 2021 (4 roundtables)
• Preparation for Internet Governance Forum: November 2021 
• United Nations Internet Governance Forum: December 6-10, 2021

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