NetMission Academy

Empowering youth in Asia Pacific since 2009

The NetMission Academy is a series of online sessions designed to equip youth with the knowledge and discussion skills to participate in Internet policymaking. The sessions will include two pre-training webinars, followed by 7 training webinars and a closing ceremony. These 1.5-hour workshops will be interactive discussion sessions, with expert guest speakers selected for each topic.

This online academy is not a one-sided learning program. Selected fellows will be assigned into thematic groups to research and prepare for the respective session as a host. All fellows are expected to actively contribute to discussions. We are looking for young visionaries who want to make a change for the betterment of the Internet and our community. If you are a student currently enrolled in any tertiary institution within the Asia Pacific and are interested in how the Internet impacts society, this is the program for you. You may also click here to learn more about our admission criteria and procedure or read the FAQ to learn more about the program.

Upon completion of the program, we offer motivated individuals a chance to further advance their understanding of Internet governance. Graduates of the academy will become NetMission Ambassadors, and work together with other NetMission alumni as a team to contribute to the Internet governance community through working groups, conference activities, and youth events.

 

Recruitment Timeline: 

Date	Session
Early September	Open Online Application
Early November	Application Deadline
Mid-November	Interview period
Early December	Result Announcement to Successful Participants
December – February	NetMission Academy
March	Become NetMission Ambassadors

Program Timeline

Date	Session
December	Orientation Webinar
	Webinar: Internet Governance 101
	Pre-training Preparation Webinar
January-February	Understanding the Internet Governance Ecosystem
	Access and Empowerment
	Digital Rights & Justice
	Cybersecurity, Privacy & Safer Internet
	Digital Economy and Emerging Technologies
	Diversity and Inclusivity in the Digital Age
	ICANN Policies
February/ March	Closing Ceremony

*Please be noted that the session(s) will be held from 12:30-14:00 UTC.

Becoming NetMission Ambassadors

Graduating from the NetMission Academy is just the beginning. As a NetMission Ambassador, you’ll gain unique opportunities to deepen your involvement in Internet governance, grow as a leader, and make a real impact. From working groups to international conferences, these initiatives are designed not only to give you a voice in global discussions, but also to help you build skills, networks, and experiences that will stay with you throughout your career.

Build Skills and Lead Change through Working Groups Working groups give you the chance to put ideas into practice while developing professional skills in research, writing, project management, and communications. By collaborating with peers across the region, you will set your own goals, lead youth-driven projects, and gain real experience in advocacy, policy engagement, and community initiatives. This is a pathway to strengthen your portfolio and build confidence as a leader.

Expand Your Network by Organizing International Events As part of our international conference teams, you will gain hands-on experience managing international Internet governance events such as Asia Pacific Youth IGF. This role allows you to expand your professional network, build facilitation and public speaking skills, and bring your creative ideas to life by designing youth activities that inspire participation on a regional and global stage.

Influence Global Policy through Proposals and Consultations Ambassadors take an active role in shaping digital policy by preparing workshop proposals and contributing to consultations at regional and international forums. Through this work, you will strengthen your research and writing, represent youth perspectives from the Asia-Pacific, and engage directly with emerging issues in Internet governance. This is an opportunity to influence decision-making processes at the highest level.

Grow Internationally with Fellowship Support We also provide tailored guidance to help you take the next step in your Internet governance journey. With support for fellowship programs such as APrIGF, APIGA, ICANN, APNIC, and IGF, you can refine your applications, engage more meaningfully at global events, and leverage the alumni network to expand professional connections and opportunities.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why should I care about Internet Governance? The Internet is one of the most significant technologies in history. The NetMission Academy gives you a voice straight into the heart of Internet policy discussion with industry, governments, and civil society.

Q2. Can I really make a difference? Yes. The Internet is a very unique construct. No individual person, organization, company, or government controls the Internet. The Internet relies on the cooperation of many parties. This multi-stakeholder approach is fundamental to Internet Governance. As the first generation to have grown up with the Internet, the youth of today are the first true digital natives. Your experience[s] with the Internet is invaluable input for advising internet policy and youth involvement is actively welcomed at the discussion table.

Q3. What does it mean to be a NetMission Ambassador? As a youth leader and coordinator, you will be expected to not only take part in Internet Governance discourse yourself but also to facilitate and enable other youth to participate. We believe in a youth-led bottom-up philosophy. Rather than a central institution, NetMission.Asia is a platform for like-minded youth to develop their participation in Internet Governance. Our goal is to bring the voice of youth to the policy discussions.