Introduction

The Internet is a fundamental component of economic, social, and political life around the world. It currently connects more than three billion people, and it is estimated that 50 billion devices will be connected to the Internet by 2020. The stable and flexible functioning of the Internet is increasingly important for developed, emerging, and developing countries and their citizens.

The governance of this ecosystem has long been the concern of a selected group of stakeholders, but the number of interested parties, both state and non-state stakeholders, is increasing as global connectivity spreads. Internet Governance is a contested topic, where the Middle East and Adjoining Countries School on Internet Governance (MEAC-SIG) will try to offer understanding, framing, and actions to be taken in this Internet governance current environment. It will offer potential governance scenarios and analyze its international, regional and national political, economical and technical implications.

Objectives

MEAC-SIG aims at stimulating the MEAC regional Internet community and ensure effective participation in national, regional, and global Internet Governance fora.

The MEAC-SIG will help individuals from the Middle East and Adjoining Countries [1] to better understand the global, regional, and national Internet Governance issues, settings and processes while gaining access to comprehensive and structured knowledge on the various aspects of Internet Governance, and the actors, issues and settings surrounding it.

Format

The MEAC-SIG will offer a 5-day intensive learning course spanning five tracks. The course will cover the political, legal, economic, socio-cultural, technological and other dimensions of the Internet Governance (e.g. academia and research) within the context of the MEAC regional imperatives. The program is expected to carry theoretical sessions, role-plays, and participants engagement activities.

Future Aspects

The MEAC-SIG program intends to continue community development by creating an alumni network and have students engage in ICANN, ISOC, IGF, Arab IGF and other relevant regional and national activities and fora. Those involved will ensure that the MEAC-SIG program is rotated on yearly basis to various countries of the region.

Target Audience

Individuals who are interested to learn more about Internet governance; or persons who work in fields related to the Internet such as Internet service providers, domain name registrations, Internet security and others; or government agencies, Civil Society and NGOs, Technical and academia concerned with Internet public policies, are invited to participate in the program and understand more how Internet governance works.

Past MEAC-SIG Events

The first edition of the MEAC-SIG took place in Kuwait during May 25-29, 2014 with a generous invitation and host from the Kuwait Information Technology Society (KITS). More can be found at MEAC-SIG 2014.

The second edition of the MEAC-SIG took place in Tunis Gammarth, Tunisia during May 25-29, 2015 with a generous invitation and host from the ISOC Tunisia Chapter. More can be found at MEAC-SIG 2015.

About the Local Host (Social Media Exchange [SMEX])

A registered Lebanese non-governmental organization, since 2008 Social Media Exchange (SMEX) has pioneered the design and delivery of workshops and online courses that help activists and journalists integrate digital and social media media into processes that create social change. We are also advocates, supporting and winning efforts to protect and expand digital rights, including free expression and privacy online, through research, user education, and campaigning, in Lebanon and across the region.

Venue

Issam Fares Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Google Map (here)

Directions from AUB Main Entrance to Issam Fares Institute (here)

Material

For further reading, folks are encouraged to read/watch content found at the following links:

• The History of Internet Governance (Video | 1 hrs 22 min)
• Internet Governance Outlook 2016: Cooperation & Confrontation (EN)
• The Start of a New Beginning: The Internet Governance Forum on Its Road to 2025 (EN)
• An Introduction to Internet Governance by Jovan Kurbalija (Several Languages)
• Guidebook Internet Governance (EN)
• Governing the Internet by Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (EN)
• ICANN Handouts (EN)
• Exploring Multi-Stakeholder Internet Governance (EN)
• Internet Fragmentation - An Overview (EN)
• The Working Group on Internet Governance - 10th Anniversary Reflections (EN)
• BCG Report on e-Friction (Report and Appendix | Supplement)

Contact Us

For any questions or inquiries, please write to the MEAC-SIG 2016 Steering Committee at meac-sig-sc [at] icann [dot] org .

Agenda

The agenda for MEAC-SIG 2016 can be found here. 

Slides

• Internet Ecosystem in Lebanon - Nabil Bukhalid [Slides]
• Introduction to ICANN and the IANA - Fahd Batayneh [Slides]
• Introduction to Internet Society - Gabriel Deek [Slides]
• Introduction to RIRs and RIPE NCC - Chafic Chaya [Slides]
  
  
• History of Internet Governance and Challenges of Tomorrow - Wolfgang Kleinwächter [Video | Slides]
• Pakistan School on Internet Governance (pkSIG) - Mubashir Sargana [Slides]
• Top Level Domains - Baher Esmat [Slides]
  
  
• Understanding Public Policies and Internet Public Policies - Salam Yamout and Yousef Asfour [Slides]
• Asia Pacific School on IG (APSIG) - Jungbae An [Slides]
• Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) - Baher Esmat and Christine Arida [Slides | e-Book]
  
  
• Internet Fragmentation - Christine Arida [Slides | eBook]
• Human Rights and Internet Governance - Jessica Dheere [Slides]
• Cyber-Security - Marilia Maciel [Slides]
  
  
• Internet and Accessibility - Muhammad Shabbir [Slides | Video]
• The Digital Economy and e-Friction - Fahd Batayneh [Slides | BCG Report | BCG Appendix | BCG Supplement]
• The Internet of Things (IoT) - Jad ElCham [Slides]
• Introduction to the iGMENA Program - Mihcael Michael Oghia [Slides]
• Digital Rights and Privacy - Mohamad Najem and Nadine Muawad [Slides]
• Digital Protection Tools - Ali Sibai [Slides]

Role Play

• Role Play Concept - Fahd Batayneh [Slides]
• Consolidated Document - All Participants [PDF]

Event Pictures

• Day 1 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/smexbeirut/sets/72157669141712633
• Day 2 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/smexbeirut/sets/72157672216435365
• Day 3 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/smexbeirut/sets/72157669215750933
• Day 4 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/smexbeirut/albums/72157672210140826
• Day 5 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/smexbeirut/sets/72157672254409606

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1 The Middle East and Adjoining Countries covers the 22 Arab States, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan