Youth Ambassador Program

Do you want to:
✓ make a big impact on Internet governance in your community?
✓ receive training and connect with a network of key influencers in the Internet governance sphere?
✓ attend a key Internet event?
✓ gain access to a platform where you can raise your voice on Internet issues that matter to you?
✓ influence policies that defend the Internet?

Become an Internet Society’s Youth Ambassador!

Each year, the Internet Society chooses fifteen young, passionate people to participate in our Youth Ambassador Program, equipping the next generation of Internet leaders to collaborate and innovate for a better world.

Why Apply?

This program brings the opportunity to:

• Join a network of knowledgeable Internet leaders who continue to develop their skills and competencies, actively support Internet Society’s mission, and advocate for protecting the Internet.
• Deepen your subject expertise through specific Internet governance online training.
• Broaden your advocacy, communications, project management, and leadership skills.
• Attend a significant Internet event especially selected for you according to your preferences, profile and location.
• Engage and collaborate with key Internet stakeholders around the world.
• Be mentored by key Internet leaders and experts.
• Develop the skills and connections needed to make more of an impact in your local community (and beyond!).
• Benefit from sharing networks, learning from each other’s approaches, working together, and forging relationships that will significantly enhance your impact as future Internet leaders in your community, country, and region.

Am I Eligible?

All applicants must:

• Be between the ages of 18-30 at the date of the submitted application
• Have a high level of reading, speaking and writing skills in English
• Be comfortable with public speaking and communicating positions
• Have continuous access to the Internet during all the phases of the program as well as the appropriate equipment
• Be able to dedicate a minimum of 4 hours per week during the 12-month program duration
• Have the availability to take part in weekly meetings and webinars, usually between 11h and 16h UTC
• Be able to travel and hold a valid passport
• Not have been previously selected as an Internet Society’s IGF Ambassador, IGF Youth Ambassador, Youth@IGF Fellow, or Youth Ambassador

What’s the Selection Process?

There is an annual selection process, with applications for each intake opening in the fall. There are two phases to the selection process.

1. Online Application

A selection committee reviews all the applications without identifying demographic information attached to select the best candidates to move to the next round. The selection committee composed of Internet Society staff, alumni and Chapter/Special Interest Group/Standing Group leaders, scores candidates on their alignment with Internet Society’s mission and vision, as well as the work they’ve done building, promoting, and defending an open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet.

2. Online Internet Governance Course

The highest scoring applicants take an online course on Internet Governance. All participants will be divided into three classes, each with a dedicated tutor to facilitate the learning process.

The 15 top-rated students are chosen for this program.

The Program

As a Youth Ambassador, you are equipped with knowledge and skills to influence policies that defend the Internet while innovating for a better world.

You will also have the opportunity to attend an event especially selected for you according to your preferences, profile, and location.

Find out what you will learn.

Timeline

Meet Our Ambassadors

Meet the young changemakers who make up the 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 cohorts of our program.

The voice of youth matters and the Internet Society plays a significant role [in empowering] the next generation of Internet leaders, [providing] them with the freedom to [put their] voice out [there].”

Having people at eye level makes an enormous difference in softening the intimidation someone in their early career stages might feel by sharing thoughts and asking questions with more experienced professionals.”

We cannot shape the Internet’s future without Youth’s voices – let’s open the doors and let them in! Youth are a vital force to get an open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet for everyone.”

2024 Program Sponsor

2024 Program In-kind Sponsors

If you would like to support the program through sponsorship, please get in touch with us at [email protected] to discuss how.