1st Local APIGA India Fellowship Reflections, Sonipat, India

Planted March 23, 2025

My Journey Through the Inaugural Local APIGA India 2025 Fellowship

Landing a fellowship for the first-ever Local Asia Pacific Internet Governance Academy (APIGA) India 2025 felt like unlocking a new level in my journey towards understanding the digital world. Held on March 21st and 22nd, 2025, in Sonipat, this event promised a deep dive into the often-complex realm of Internet Governance (IG), and I was thrilled to be a part of it.

What is APIGA, Anyway?

Before diving into my experience, let me quickly set the stage. APIGA is a prestigious capacity development initiative, originally a regional program by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Korea Internet Security Agency (KISA). Its core mission is to nurture understanding and engagement with critical Internet governance issues, especially within the Asia Pacific region. The Local APIGA India 2025 was a special, focused edition designed specifically for tertiary students in India, aiming to bring the intricacies of IG, ICANN policies, and the vital multistakeholder model closer to home.

Expectations Running High

Going into APIGA India, my expectations were buzzing. As someone with an interest in [mention your field, e.g., technology/law/policy], I was eager to:

1. Demystify Internet Governance: Move beyond buzzwords and truly grasp the rules, policies, and standards that shape cyberspace.
2. Understand ICANN: Learn about the organization responsible for the internet’s domain name system and identifiers – what do they really do?
3. Experience the Multistakeholder Model: Hear about it is one thing, but I wanted to see how different groups (government, tech industry, civil society, academia) actually interact and build consensus.
4. Network: Connect with peers passionate about the digital future and learn from seasoned experts in the field.
5. Gain Practical Insights: Participate actively, not just listen passively, especially through the promised simulations.

Pre-Event Preparations: Building the Foundation Online

The APIGA India experience actually began before we set foot in Sonipat. As part of the fellowship commitment, we participated in mandatory introductory online sessions designed to ensure everyone had a common baseline understanding and could hit the ground running during the intensive two-day workshop. These pre-webinars were crucial for setting the stage:

• Pre-Webinar 1: Setting the Scene
  • Our journey officially kicked off with the first pre-webinar, bringing together the 40 selected fellows and the Organizing Committee. This session served as a fantastic ice-breaker and introduction. We dove into the core concepts of Internet Governance and got our first glimpse into the world of ICANN and the structure of the upcoming Local APIGA India 2025. A key highlight was hearing from Bibek Silwal, the APIGA Nepal Coordinator, who shared invaluable insights and experiences from their own regional APIGA event. This initial gathering was packed with interactive discussions and set a collaborative tone right from the start.

• Pre-Webinar 2: DNS & ICANN Fundamentals (8th March 2025)
  • The second session, moderated by Sameer Gahlot, focused on essential building blocks. Ihita Gangavarapu provided a clear and concise Introduction to the Domain Name System (DNS), explaining the critical infrastructure that translates human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses – the internet’s backbone. Following this, Barkha Manral gave an Introduction to ICANN, outlining its structure, mission, and role in coordinating the DNS and ensuring a stable, secure, and unified global internet. This session equipped us with the fundamental technical and organizational knowledge needed to fully engage with the more advanced topics during the in-person event.

These online sessions were instrumental in building initial connections among the fellows and ensuring we all arrived in Sonipat with a shared foundational knowledge, ready to dive deeper into the complexities of Internet Governance.

Two Days of Immersion: What We Did

The workshop spanned two intensive days, packed with learning and interaction from 9 AM to nearly 6 PM each day. It was a whirlwind of information and activity, perfectly balanced between foundational knowledge and practical application.

Day 1: Laying the Foundation

After registration and a warm opening ceremony that set an enthusiastic tone, we dove headfirst into the core concepts. Day 1 was all about building a strong understanding of the Internet governance ecosystem:

• Internet Governance 101: This session was exactly what I needed – a clear, concise overview of the complex IG landscape, defining the key terms, actors, and challenges. It helped frame the discussions for the rest of the workshop.
• Decoding the Internet & APNIC: We moved beyond the user experience to explore the internet’s technical underpinnings. A significant focus was on the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC). We learned precisely what APNIC does, how regional internet registries (RIRs) like it allocate and assign crucial resources like IP addresses (IPv4 and IPv6) and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs), and importantly, how their own policy development process works within the region. Understanding this layer was crucial to grasping the bigger picture.
• ICANN Deep Dive: These sessions were pivotal. We explored the intricate structure of ICANN, learning about its different Supporting Organisations (SOs) like the GNSO (Generic Names Supporting Organization) and ccNSO (Country Code Names Supporting Organization), and the various Advisory Committees (ACs) such as the GAC (Governmental Advisory Committee), ALAC (At-Large Advisory Committee), and SSAC (Security and Stability Advisory Committee). We discussed what each body does and how they contribute to ICANN’s mission. A key takeaway was the emphasis on community feedback within ICANN’s Policy Development Process (PDP) – it truly hammered home the bottom-up, multistakeholder nature of how internet policies are actually formulated. It wasn’t just a top-down decree; it was a collaborative, consensus-driven effort.
• Model ICANN Prep: To cap off the day, we prepared for the simulation exercise scheduled for Day 2. This involved a fun process mimicking ICANN voting to form our stakeholder teams. We then decided on the topic for our simulation: the critical issue of DNS Abuse. As part of the prep, my assigned group, the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), briefly presented our initial understanding of the definition of DNS Abuse according to the GAC’s perspective, setting the stage for the cross-stakeholder discussions to come.

Day 2: Collaboration and Simulation

Day two transitioned from foundational learning to active participation and exploring specific issues:

• IDNs and UASG: This session shone a light on the vital work towards a truly global and inclusive internet. We learned about the efforts of the Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG) in promoting Universal Acceptance (UA) – ensuring that all valid domain names and email addresses, particularly Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) using local scripts, work seamlessly across all internet-enabled applications, devices, and systems. We discussed the various technical and policy issues surrounding IDNs and UA and why resolving them is critical for billions of potential internet users.
• Industry Expert Talk: Hearing directly from a leader actively involved in the Internet governance space was incredibly motivating. The talk introduced us to a wide range of opportunities for youth engagement in the field. A major highlight was learning about prestigious programs like the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Youth tracks, potentially the German Internet Governance Youth Leaders Forum (IGYLF), and initiatives fostering civic engagement like the Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) in India. Information about policy-focused opportunities such as the LAMP (Legislative Assistants to Members of Parliament) Fellowship provided concrete pathways for those interested in public policy careers related to technology and the internet. It showed us tangible ways to get involved beyond the workshop.

• The Model ICANN Conference: As detailed in the next section, this immersive simulation was the practical centerpiece of the fellowship, where we applied everything we’d learned.
• Way Forward: The final content session provided practical, actionable advice. We discussed specific routes for continued involvement in the IG ecosystem, looking at how to engage with ICANN processes, join mailing lists, participate in public comment periods, and explore fellowship or NextGen opportunities. A Q&A session allowed us to clarify doubts and get personalized guidance.

Highlight: The Model ICANN Conference Simulation

This wasn’t just another session; it was the cornerstone of the practical learning at APIGA India. For several hours on Day 2, we stepped directly into the shoes of global internet policymakers.

• The Goal: To simulate ICANN’s unique, consensus-based, bottom-up policy development process (PDP) in action.
• The Setup: Each fellow was assigned a role representing a specific ICANN Stakeholder Group or Constituency. This meant becoming, for a few hours, a representative of the Government Advisory Committee (GAC), the Business Constituency (BC), the Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG), the At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC - representing global internet end-users), the Technical Community, or other key players.
• The Challenge: We were presented with a realistic, current policy issue falling within ICANN’s remit. This could have been related to the rules for registering domain names, the process for introducing new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs), strategies to combat domain name system abuse, or similar complex topics.
• The Process: The simulation unfolded in stages:
  1. Internal Caucusing: Within our assigned stakeholder groups, we first discussed the policy issue from our group’s unique perspective. What were the implications for businesses, governments, end-users, or technical stability? We had to understand our mandate and formulate an initial position.
  2. Multistakeholder Negotiation: This was the core of the simulation. Representatives from all groups came together. We had to clearly articulate our group’s position, actively listen to the perspectives and concerns of others, engage in debate, challenge assumptions respectfully, build alliances where interests aligned, and crucially, negotiate.
  3. Seeking Consensus: The ultimate objective wasn’t necessarily to ‘win’ but to work towards a consensus outcome – a solution or policy recommendation that, while perhaps not perfect for any single group, was broadly acceptable to all. This involved drafting statements, making compromises, and finding common ground under the guidance of experienced facilitators who mirrored the real ICANN process.
• The Experience: It was intense, challenging, and incredibly illuminating. Trying to defend your stakeholder’s interests while simultaneously understanding and accommodating the legitimate, often conflicting, interests of others was a powerful lesson. It vividly demonstrated why the multistakeholder model, though sometimes slow and complex, is fundamental to the legitimacy and stability of global internet governance. The pressure of negotiation and collaborative drafting brought the concepts discussed on Day 1 vividly to life.

Key Outcomes and Takeaways

APIGA India 2025 didn’t just meet my expectations; it exceeded them.

1. Clarity on IG & ICANN: The sessions effectively broke down complex topics. I now have a much clearer understanding of the ecosystem, ICANN’s specific remit (and limitations!), and the IANA functions.
2. Multistakeholder Model in Practice: The Model ICANN simulation was the highlight. Experiencing the push-and-pull between different stakeholder interests firsthand drove home the challenges and necessity of this consensus-based approach. It wasn’t just theory anymore.
3. Empowerment: I feel better equipped to understand and potentially contribute to policy discussions. The “Way Forward” session provided concrete steps to stay engaged.
4. Networking: I connected with incredibly bright peers from diverse academic backgrounds across India, as well as approachable experts and ICANN staff. These connections are invaluable.
5. Certification: Receiving the certificate felt like a validation of the intense learning and participation over the two days.

What’s Next? My IG Journey Continues

This fellowship isn’t just an endpoint; it’s a starting point. My next steps include:

• Deeper Learning: Exploring the resources shared during the workshop and diving into specific areas of ICANN’s work that caught my interest.
• Staying Engaged: Subscribing to relevant mailing lists, following ICANN meeting proceedings online, and looking out for other IG events (maybe even the regional APIGA!).
• Sharing Knowledge: Discussing what I learned with fellow students and colleagues to raise awareness about Internet Governance.
• Applying Insights: Integrating the understanding of multistakeholder dynamics and policy development into my academic work and future career aspirations.

Beyond the Agenda: The Little Things

While the structured sessions were fantastic, some of the best moments happened during the breaks and networking sessions. Chats over tea, collaborative brainstorming during the simulation prep, and the final photo session all contributed to a sense of community. The dedication of the organizers and the willingness of the experts to engage openly with students were truly commendable. The atmosphere was collaborative, curious, and energized.

Attending the 1st Local APIGA India was an enriching experience. It provided a unique platform to learn, engage, and be inspired. I wholeheartedly recommend future editions to any student in India interested in the forces shaping our digital world. Thank you, ICANN and the local organizers, for this incredible opportunity!