Public Knowledge

Last week, Public Knowledge concluded the third iteration of its Spanish-language Open Internet Course for digital rights advocates in Latin America. The online course, presented in collaboration with Peer 2 Peer University, began in 2015 as an open sourced and open licensed capacity building project. Its goal is to train, inform, and support advocates and policymakers to effectively engage in technology policy discussions and push for greater transparency and accountability in the policymaking process.

Melanie Penagos, International Policy Associate at Public Knowledge, used Storify to show us her experience at RightsCon 2017.

Today, Public Knowledge is launching a call for applications for the next round of our online and tuition-free, Spanish-language Open Internet Course. The 13-week course, designed to train and cultivate a new generation of Spanish speaking leaders to defend the free and open internet, will begin on February 6. Applications will be accepted until January 20 and we encourage all who are interested to apply as soon as possible.

In maintaining our commitment to cultivate new leaders to enable and promote a free and open internet, Public Knowledge recently concluded the second round of its online Open Internet Course. The course, which ran from June 27 – October 10, 2016, hosted 30 participants, including journalists, students, government officials, and practitioners in the digital rights field.

Today, Public Knowledge is launching a call for applications for the second round of our online, open licensed, and tuition-free Spanish-language Open Internet Course. The 13-week course, designed to train and cultivate a new generation of Spanish speaking leaders to defend the free and open internet, will begin on June 27. Applications will be accepted until June 10 and we encourage all who are interested to apply as soon as possible.

On December 16, after an intense round of negotiations among United Nations (UN) member states, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the final outcome document regarding the ten-year review of the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+10). Public Knowledge welcomes this outcome document as a positive step towards achieving an inclusive knowledge society and promoting a free and open Internet.

Last week, over 2,500 participants from around the world gathered in João Pessoa, Brazil to discuss Internet standards and policies at the 10th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF). From November 10-13, attendees and remote participants discussed the evolution of Internet governance through the lens of sustainable development. Topics included cybersecurity and trust, enhancing multistakeholder cooperation, the impact of trade on Internet governance and regulation, and Internet and human rights.

This year marks the end of two major United Nations (UN) processes that signify the beginning of a new era in international development, an age when Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), such as the Internet and telecommunications, are considered vital to facilitate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN has recognized how important international development is by adopting the SDGs and initiating a ten-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+10).The WSIS+10 process will ultimately produce an outcome document with the potential to steer the course of ICTs for development. Stakeholders input will help preserve the WSIS vision of building a people-centric, inclusive, and development-oriented Information Society.

This post discusses Public Knowledge’s comments regarding the Proposal to Transition the Stewardship of the IANA Functions and the Enhancing ICANN Accountability 2nd Draft Report. The first proposal comment deadline was September 8th. The second proposal comment deadline is September 12th.

In less than six months, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will vote on an outcome document that will set the course for the post-2015 implementation of the World Summit on Information Society’s (WSIS) goals. This negotiation has the potential to influence the role of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in international development for many years to come. The time leading up to the December 15 – 16, 2015 intergovernmental meeting is crucial because this is the time in which the WSIS ten-year review (WSIS+10) outcome document will be shaped. The two core upcoming dates for contributions are July 31st and October 15th.