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 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 and regional 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 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

The target audience will be derived from the countries of the MEAC region that are expected to be comprised of students, practitioners, researchers and professionals from the following sectors:

1. Academia and Research;
2. Civil Society and NGOs;
3. Government and Public Sector;
4. Technical Community; and
5. Private Sector and Business.

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.

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)
• An Introduction to Internet Governance by Jovan Kurbalija (Several Languages)
• Governing the Internet by Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (EN)
• ICANN Handouts (EN)
• Exploring Multi-Stakeholder Internet Governance (EN)

Venue

Issam Fares Institute, American University of Beirut

Beirut, Lebanon

Google Map (here)

Agenda

The agenda for MEAC-SIG 2016 will be posted in due time . 

Slides

 Slides and relevant content will be posted in due time.

Event Pictures

Event pictures will be posted in due time.

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