KENYA SCHOOL OF INTERNET GOVERNANCE (KeSIG)
Sixth Edition: 10 – 23 September 2021
Venue: Online through e-learning and webinars
Introduction
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) has since 2008 convened the annual Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) that brings together local actors in ICT policy discussions. In response to a need for new voices, KICTANet, with support from partners Safaricom, Communications Authority of Kenya, APC, Facebook, and KeNIC have organized the 2020 Kenya School of Internet governance (KeSIG). KeSIG has grown to be among KICTANet’s flagship programs, and its success has not been only in bringing in new voices but also in encouraging those whose work has been disrupted by the internet to understand and contribute to the internet policymaking processes.
KICTANet a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation was selected to lead and moderate the online discussion. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector, and it’s work is guided by four pillars of policy advocacy, capacity building, research, and stakeholder engagement.
KeSIG has grown over the years. The fellows are more diverse with representation from all stakeholder groups, including law enforcement officers in the digital space. There has also been representation from underrepresented groups such as people working in counties, artists, and those working in applied ICT for example agriculture. The faculty is sourced from local and African actors such as the regulators, the executive, civil society leaders, digital rights activists, lawyers and the technical community. Since 2018, KeSIG alumni have also been taking up roles in the organizing committee and as trainers.
Objectives
KeSIG’s mission is to increase capacity of key actors and potential actors in the local internet governance space. These include traditional human rights defenders and civil society organisations, students, academia, tech community and government departments. These actors are also commissioned to participate in international internet policy making for a thereby contributing African perspectives in global debates. The training aims to:
- Get participants to understand internet governance
- Increase the mass of people contributing to internet policy making in Kenya and globally
- Equip participants with skills to effectively participate in internet governance discussions and forums
- Provide networking opportunities for different stakeholders
- Provide actors involved in internet governance (trainers) with feedback on emerging issues
Methodology
KeSIG will take place over a period of three days. In the first day, participants are taken through basic concepts in internet governance with a focus on Kenya’s contribution throughout the years. Topical issues such as online protest and content generation are covered in the second day. On the third day, participants interact with policy makers such as the Communications Authority, legislative drafters and private sector policy advocates.
The training is a mix of lectures and interactive activities. Participants get to listen to perspectives from veterans and practitioners who have participated in internet governance as well as emerging leaders. They also get to stimulate scenarios and envision the future of internet and policy making in Africa. KeSIG alumni also facilitate sessions in the programme, encouraging participants to envision their contribution to internet policy making.
Areas to be covered in the training include:
- Introduction to Internet Governance
- Main concepts in Internet Governance
- Internet Governance processes and how to get involved
- Kenya’s internet Governance policy /legal framework(s), Internet Governance Issues in Kenya
- Digitalisation and digital rights in Kenya and Africa at large