Youth IGF and inSIG 2024 Fellowship Reflection - Bangalore, India
Planted October 5, 2024
I was selected as a fellow for both Youth IGF India 2024 and inSIG 2024, two premier programs aimed at empowering young voices and building capacity in internet governance. These fellowships provided me with a unique opportunity to dive deep into the world of digital policy, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, all while interacting with global experts and fellow youth advocates.
inSIG Fellow
Youth IGF India Fellow
The Youth IGF India serves as a forum for young professionals to engage in discussions on internet governance topics, with a specific focus on Indian and global perspectives. inSIG (India School on Internet Governance), on the other hand, is a capacity-building program that offers hands-on learning in public policy-making, proposal drafting, and critical digital skills. Participating in these two programs enriched my understanding of the current challenges and opportunities in the field of internet governance.
Youth IGF India 2024
The Youth IGF India 2024 program kicked off on Day Zero of inSIG 2024. It was an incredible experience that brought together youth leaders from across India to engage in interactive sessions on digital security, trust, and governance. The day’s agenda was packed with panel discussions, hands-on activities, and collaborative workshops.
One of the key discussions revolved around the role of youth in shaping AI governance. The session explored how young professionals can contribute to making AI more transparent, ethical, and accessible, especially for marginalized communities. We also delved into issues of data privacy and the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age.
As part of the Security and Trust working group, I collaborated with fellow participants to address the need for stronger cybersecurity frameworks. We discussed how countries across Asia, with diverse levels of digital literacy, are tackling online security challenges. Our group highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in building secure digital ecosystems, particularly in regions facing rapid technological advancement.
At the end of the day, we collectively drafted a Youth Policy Statement that captured our vision for a secure, inclusive, and ethical digital future. Presenting the policy statement was a moment of pride, as it truly reflected the collaborative efforts of all participants in shaping the future of internet governance.
inSIG 2024: A Deep Dive into Internet Governance
Following the Youth IGF India program, I participated in the main inSIG 2024 sessions, which took place at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Same Place XD, inSIG 2024 provided a comprehensive view of the internet governance ecosystem, covering a wide array of topics, from cybersecurity to AI ethics.
The first day started with a powerful inaugural session, where industry leaders discussed India’s growing role in global internet governance. This set the stage for in-depth discussions on the evolving nature of the internet and its governance, particularly from both global and Indian perspectives.
One of the highlights of inSIG was the Cybersecurity Incident Roleplay. During this exercise, we simulated a cyberattack and worked in teams to respond to the crisis. As part of the IT team and the representative of the technical community, I was responsible for implementing immediate security measures to contain the breach. The roleplay was a valuable learning experience that underscored the importance of cross-team collaboration in cybersecurity incidents. It taught me not only the technical aspects of incident response but also the strategic decision-making required in high-stakes situations.
The session on DNS and Its Future was another standout, where we discussed the foundational role of DNS in maintaining a stable and secure internet. The speaker emphasized the need for wider adoption of DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) to address vulnerabilities in the system, especially as the internet continues to expand.
In the morning of the 3rd day I was also tasked to present a session proposal for a mock proposal for India Internet Governance Forum which will be happening in Delhi, I also made most of the proposal content for my group with the wonderful help from my fellow inSIG delegates, Maitri Singh, Kushagra Singh, Chetan GS.
In the panel on AI Governance, experts from diverse fields debated the balance between innovation and regulation. The discussions centered around ensuring fairness in AI systems and preventing algorithmic bias, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare and education. We also explored the ethical dimensions of AI in combating misinformation, which aligned well with the earlier discussions at Youth IGF India.
Fun Times and Social Events
The fellowship wasn’t just about serious discussions; the social events provided an excellent opportunity to unwind and bond with fellow participants. I’ll fill in more about the fun times I had here, including the delicious local cuisine and the amazing sightseeing adventures I got to experience with my fellow fellows!
[Yet to write]
Me after Presenting Something:
