Summer Schools: bringing new ideas, fresh perspectives, and a deeper collaboration to learners from around the world
In the summer of 2025, policymakers, other government officials and ICT professionals, including grassroots changemakers met in Maastricht, the Netherlands, to participate in two interactive and collaborative trainings: the Summer School on Evidence-Based Digital Policies for Universal and Meaningful Connectivity and the Summer School on Digital and Green Transitions.
The Summer School on Evidence-Based Digital Policies for Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, held from 2-6 June, explored how digital public policies can accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through universal and meaningful connectivity.
“I was exposed to a wealth of knowledge, diverse experiences, and new perspectives through this training programme, which I will take back home to help drive positive change in my country,” said Mr Alan Ramírez García, Telecommunications Policy Specialist at the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Peru.
Participants engaged in interactive lectures, as well as hands-on case studies and group activities, learning to interpret and use ICT statistics, benchmark indicators, and maps to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based digital policies.
“During this training, I learned how to collect and utilize data effectively. When we have data, we can stay objective and apply policymaking with an evidence-based perspective,” said Mr Serhan Turan, Information and Communication Expert at the Information and Communication Technologies Authority of Türkiye.
Datasets and infrastructure maps—an invaluable evidence source for digital policies—were also shared with the participants.
“This training added real value to my work, particularly as I oversee a data centre in my department. I plan to apply everything I learned here when I return home,” said Ms Muna Alhusaini, Market Research and Development Professional at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in Bahrain.
During the Summer School on Digital and Green Transitions, held from 23 to 27 June, participants discussed key challenges and opportunities to shape more digital and sustainable societies in a human-centric way. The unique programme explored how new and emerging technologies can be leveraged to implement the SDGs.
The course covered a range of topics that call for collaboration across sectors, including AI and sustainability, digital agriculture, and e-waste management.
“Before this programme, I underestimated how deeply data and knowledge influence policymaking. The methodology was especially impactful because it encouraged immediate application, turning theory into practice,” said Selene Lopez, Public Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. “Beyond learning concepts, I discovered the importance of entrepreneurial thinking and systemic innovation. Now, I don’t just see digitalization as a tool but as a mindset shift toward agile, data-driven diplomacy.”
The training featured a combination of expert-led lectures, interactive discussions, group work, and participant presentations. In addition to building technical knowledge, the summer school fostered peer learning, cross-cultural exchange, and collaboration among professionals working at the intersection of digital innovation and sustainability.
“This summer school gave me a breakthrough understanding of digital technologies, especially digital twins, and how they can be applied in agriculture to support green transformation,” said Ms Nato Kldiashvili, Cross-Border Program Coordinator at The Fund Georgian Center for Agribusiness Development. “Being in a classroom with participants from so many different countries gave me a unique global perspective and created meaningful opportunities for future collaboration.”
This is an ITU Development #DigitalImpactUnlocked story
About the Summer Schools
The Summer School on Evidence-based Digital Policies for Universal and Meaningful Connectivity was jointly organized by two ITU projects funded by the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative: the Capacity Development for Digital Transformation project and the Promoting and Measuring Universal and Meaningful Digital Connectivity project.
The Summer School on Digital and Green Transitions was organized within the framework of the ITU’s Capacity Development for Digital Transformation project, funded by the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative.
Both summer schools were implemented through the ITU Academy in collaboration with the United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT), one of the ITU Academy’s 14 training centres.
Visit the project page for more details.
