You’ve read 10 articles in this series (thank you!). You are convinced this matters. Now, you ask: “Where do I click to sign up?”

Here is your practical, no-nonsense checklist to go from “IG Newbie” to “Fellowship Applicant” in 6 months.

Level 1: The Learner (Month 1-2)

Before you speak, you must understand.

How Students and Young Professionals Can Start Engaging with Internet Governance
  1. Internet Society (ISOC) Fundamentals: Go to the ISOC Learning portal. Take the “Internet Governance” and “Buidling Wireless Community Networks” courses. They are free and standardized.
  2. ICANN Learn: Create an account on learn.icann.org. Take “ICANN 101” and “Policy Development Fundamentals.”
  3. DiploFoundation: Read their “IG Book” introduction. It’s the bible of this field.

Level 2: The Member (Month 3-4)

Join the tribes.

  1. Join ISOC Nepal Chapter: It costs a small fee (or is free for students often). Attend their webinars.
  2. Subscribe to APNIC Blog: Read one technical/policy article a week.
  3. Join a Mailing List: Warning—these are overwhelming! Start with the apnic-talk or sig-policy list just to lurk and see how people argue.

Level 3: The Participant (Month 5-6)

Show up.

  1. Nepal IGF: When the next call for registration opens, register. It’s free. Don’t just sit in the back. Ask one question during Q&A.
  2. Youth IGF Nepal: Apply to be a fellow or volunteer.
  3. APIGA: Keep an eye out for the application (usually early year). Your “Level 1” certificates will make your application strong.
graph TD
  A["Start: IG Newbie"] --> B("Level 1: The Learner");
  B --> B1(ISOC Fundamentals);
  B --> B2(ICANN Learn);
  B --> B3(DiploFoundation IG Book);
  B --> C("Level 2: The Member");
  C --> C1(Join ISOC Nepal Chapter);
  C --> C2(Subscribe to APNIC Blog);
  C --> C3(Join a Mailing List);
  C --> D("Level 3: The Participant");
  D --> D1(Attend Nepal IGF);
  D --> D2(Apply Youth IGF Nepal);
  D --> D3(Apply APIGA);
  D --> E["End: Fellowship Applicant"];

Figure 1: Journey from IG Newbie to Fellowship Applicant

Resources List

  • APNIC Academy: academy.apnic.net (Technical skills)
  • ICANN Learn: learn.icann.org (Policy skills)
  • Internet Society: internetsociety.org (Advocacy)

The Golden Rule

Don’t try to know everything. The internet is too big. Pick a niche.

  • Are you a coder? Focus on Open Source or IPv6.
  • Are you a lawyer? Focus on Data Privacy or Copyright.
  • Are you a marketer? Focus on Digital Inclusion or Social Media Policy.
mindmap
  root((Pick Your IG Niche))
    Coder
      Open Source
      IPv6
    Lawyer
      Data Privacy
      Copyright
    Marketer
      Digital Inclusion
      Social Media Policy
    General Interest
      Internet Governance Basics
      Multistakeholder Model

Figure 2: Tailoring Your Internet Governance Focus

Being an expert in one small thing is better than being vague about everything.