Representing the UK
Matthew J & Nicola D impressed so much last year that they have been invited back to this year’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Azerbaijan:
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder forum for policy discussion on matters of Internet governance. It brings together all stakeholders in the internet governance debate, whether they represent governments, the private sector, civil society or charity groups such as Childnet (who we represent) on an equal foundation and through an open and inclusive procedure. As the single youth delegates at the forum are views and ideas are taken with great importance and due to the contribution Nicola and I made last year we have been the only two to have been reselected to attend this September.
I feel extremely honoured and overjoyed to have been nominated once again to be at the IGF in Azerbaijan and only hope this year I can provide even more innovative concepts I have as a young person online to help improve the internet which enhances our lives in some many ways. This forum encompasses a wealth of life change experiences and skills that I been so grateful for and which has made a huge improvement in areas such as, discussion, conveying ideas, public speaking and experiencing cultures from around the world. The IGF has also sparked a desire to become involved in international diplomacy and this opportunity is fully responsible for this idea.
Last year in Kenya was a truly unforgettable experience and I hope this year it is as successful. As well as representing Childnet and myself, the reflection on Fettes is also great and I hope one day my discussions at the IGF change the internet for the better.
Matthew J
When I received the email from the team at Childnet International, informing me that Matthew and I had been reselected to attend this year’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Azerbaijan, I was ecstatic to put it mildly. We both travelled to Kenya for the IGF last year in a group of eight youth delegates, and I thoroughly enjoyed participating in workshops, voicing opinions and discussing issues surrounding the Internet. On top of that we were also able to see some of Nairobi, and visiting the giraffe sanctuary was a definite highlight of the trip. This year I can’t wait to attend the IGF again and I am looking forward not only to the further participation in the numerous discussions, but also to meeting again with some of the interesting people we were introduced to in Kenya.
Nicola D