Asia Pacific Youth Internet Governance Forum (yIGF.Asia) is a forum that helps youth to raise awareness of Internet Governance discourse and to have more active engagement in policy discussions.
As a NetMission Ambassador, I am involved in the Asia Pacific Youth Internet Governance
Forum (yIGF) 2023 organizing committee. It was my first time working in this group, so it was
quite challenging, but I could learn a lot while preparing for the event.
I was fortunate to be selected to take on the role of an on-site organizer for this event. It was
an amazing experience for me. I learned not only about the field of Internet Governance but
also how to organize the event. Many speakers shared their insights and knowledge on
many interesting topics. Since I could communicate directly with many speakers, it was even
more helpful. Various opinions were exchanged, and I learned more because it was a forum
where I could communicate directly, not just listen to lectures.
The theme of yIGF 2023 was “Youth@Frontier of Digital Governance: Where Innovation,
Safety, and Well-being Meet”. yIGF 2023 was carried out based on four major topics:
“Navigating the Digital Career Labyrinth”, “Algorithmic decision-making and future of the
Internet”, “Scrolling through the Stigma: The Impact of Cyberspace on Youth Digital Well-
being” and “#YouthPower: Building Collaborative Partnerships for Youth Inclusion in Internet
Governance”.
I was so nervous because it was my first time hosting in front of people, and I prepared a lot
in advance not to ruin it. During this time, other organizers such as Jenna, Dalili, and Luke
helped and cheered me on. I am thankful to them so much! Also, we prepared and practiced
for the next day’s session every night. I was able to gain valuable experience, and I think I
can do even better in the future.
We also had a chance to participate in APrIGF. After listening to various sessions and
discussions, I felt that it would be better for youth to become more engaged in the Internet
Governance. Furthermore, I hope that there will be more opportunities for youth and seniors
to communicate. As young people are at the center of the Internet, we need to voice our opinions and lead the way.
For me, the best thing was ‘Youth Network’. I have met many people who are passionate
about Internet Governance. I was able to grow further by talking with them, and I felt a desire
for further growth. Also, I was able to broaden my horizons and learn a lot by talking with
various people from different backgrounds. Our exchange of thoughts and experiences
further enriched my understanding of Internet Governance and inspired me a lot. The
experience of sharing opinions seems to be especially important for young people.
I am grateful to NetMission.Asia, DotAsia Organization, APNIC, and everyone who helped
make this event go well. I am especially grateful for NetMission, which gives young people
like me many opportunities to learn about Internet Governance and participate in various
activities.
I will continue to learn more about Internet Governance.
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