ICANN For Beginners
ICANN for Beginners
Welcome to ICANN. Learn more about what we do, how we work, and how your talents, expertise, and enthusiasm can help advance ICANN’s mission in your region and globally.
What Role Does ICANN Play in How the Internet Works?
ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other.
ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.
Want to learn more about ICANN's role? Check out the video, course, and infographic below. You will need to create an ICANN Account to use ICANN Learn.
What Are Some of the Initiatives ICANN Is Working On?
ICANN works on many initiatives to advance its mission. Learn more about how ICANN initiatives in domain name security threats, capacity-building, and the expansion of the Internet are shaping the future of the Internet.
Why You Should Get Involved
Looking to make real lasting impact on a global scale? When you participate at ICANN, you are part of a global community helping ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. You'll also gain valuable skills through professional development and connect with new people.
Use your skills to make an impact. You can help shape the future of the Internet. Whether you have expertise in technology, business, law, governance, or the creative sector, or are simply a concerned citizen, your skills and perspective help ICANN develop and implement policies that are in the public interest.
Develop personal and professional skills. Participating in ICANN is a great way to stay informed of emerging Internet technologies and the policies that govern them. Community members learn to sharpen their listening, critical thinking, and communications skills, while working to build consensus among stakeholders representing many different interests and regions.
Grow your network and expand your world view. Many of the world’s largest and most innovative companies, as well as governments, and individual experts make their voices heard through ICANN’s multistakeholder model of governance. Becoming a community member enables you to meet and discuss the future of the Internet with people from all over the globe, representing many sectors, including business, government, intergovernmental organizations, technology, and civil society.
How Do You Get Involved?
Begin your ICANN journey where you feel most comfortable. You can start by learning the basics through our online interactive courses and resources or reading about the initiatives we support. If you would rather meet people face-to-face or virtually, connect with your regional ICANN team or find an event to attend. Unsure of which ICANN community group best suits your interests? Use our helpful Find Your Group feature to help you with your search. Consider immersing yourself in the ICANN community by applying to our NextGen@ICANN or Fellowship Program and attending an ICANN Public Meeting.
Learn the Basics ICANN Learn Online CoursesWhether you are new to ICANN or attending your 10th ICANN Public Meeting, our free, interactive online courses can help you build knowledge and skills. Learn at your own pace and schedule! ICANN HistoryUncover ICANN’s past and explore the events the spurred our creation in 1998, the evolution of our unique multistakeholder model, and our major accomplishments. ICANN Acronyms and TermsICANN has many acronyms and terms that may be unfamiliar to those outside the community. Our multilingual glossary will help you understand what these terms mean so you can participate more fully in discussions. |
Connect With Your Regional Team ICANN’s regional teams offer you opportunities to connect with others in your region who care about the Internet’s stability, security, and interoperability and want to make a difference. Share your ideas with ICANN team members about how ICANN can meet its mission and attract more regional participation. When you get involved in your region, you’ll make connections, develop new skills, and expand your region’s voice. |
Find Your ICANN Group What do you care about? Domain Name System security threats, Internet security, Internationalized Domain Names, or Domain Name System Security Extensions? Joining one of ICANN’s multistakeholder groups is a great way for you to increase your knowledge of ICANN and participate in policy development, while partnering with others who have similar backgrounds and interests as you. Use our helpful tool to match your skills to the groups that best align with your interests. |
Attend an Event Find an ICANN Event Near YouExchange ideas and meet new people at ICANN events, held virtually and in-person, all over the globe. You’ll learn more about ICANN, its role in the broader Internet community, and how you can bring your expertise and perspectives to its global policy development process. |
Apply to Programs for Professionals and Students NextGen@ICANN and Fellowship ProgramsWhether you’re a student or a professional who is new to ICANN, discover how you can tap into programs designed to support and prepare you to attend ICANN Public Meetings. ICANN’s NextGen@ICANN and Fellowship Programs allow students and professionals to participate in ICANN’s policy development process and ICANN Public Meetings around the globe. |