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Schools to introduce Internet Governance as a subject soon.
Between October 31 and November 2 a 3-day programme on a relatively unexplored yet very relevant topic will be organised in Hyderabad. The programme called ‘India School on internet governance’ (inSIG) will be conducted to equip people with the skills of internet governance and encourage more
Between October 31 and November 2 a 3-day programme on a relatively unexplored yet very relevant topic will be organised in Hyderabad. The programme called 'India School on internet governance' (inSIG) will be conducted to equip people with the skills of internet governance and encourage more participation.
The National Internet Exchange of India, the Internet Societies (ISOC) of Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) are jointly conducting the programme which will held just before the 57th ICANN meet scheduled in Hyderabad between November 3 and 9.
Rajiv Bansal, the chief executive of NIXI says, "Not many people are aware of Internet governance as a subject and its importance. Through this programme we are aiming to create awareness and get more people to participate in supporting organisations, advisory committees, or make internet society chapters and help create an ecosystem of internet governance".
As an initial boost to participation, NIXI is considering giving annual fellowships to up to 20 people to motivate them to attend international events and forums and represent India on internet governance forums such as ICANN, Internet Engineering Task Force, World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+10) meetings and so on.
So What's Internet Governance?
According to the Internet Society, it is "the processes that impact how the Internet is managed". ISOC is a non-profit organisation tasked with looking at internet-related standards, education, access, and policy. ISOC members form either geographical or special interest 'chapters'. Notably the Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram chapters are involved in organising the first inSIG.
The number of internet users in India is growing at a scorching pace with easy availability of 3G, 4G and VoltE technologies. This will in turn help India scale the 500 million internet user mark soon. It is in this context that the Internet Governance holds special relevance today.
Another reason that the ISOC is taking the lead in developing Internet Governance is that Internet is largely free and unrestricted today. Children who are accessing the internet today need to be aware of the policies and process that go in managing the service. Armed with the knowledge of Internet governance, these very children may become a part of any of the supporting groups or committees in the future, thus ensuring a better managed Internet.
* Read the original story by Neha Alawadhi on www.economictimes.com
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