This Session, organised by the ICANN Cross Community Working Group (CCWG) on Internet Governance will look at the work taking place in a selection of programmes to help in capacity building and training of young people and others on a variety of Internet public policy technical issues.  Through such capacity building (whether in formal or informal settings) individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds can benefit from the experience and knowledge of their peers.  

Within ICANN recent and extensive participation of stakeholders in the work connected to the IANA Transition, not least in the working groups to deliver Accountability proposals, has proved really beneficial with respect to capacity building.  In addition ICANN offers specific programmes for bringing young people into the ICANN environment through a funded Fellowship Programme as well as specific outreach to young people in the region where ICANN meetings are held.  Some information on these and on the application process will be given. 

Outside of ICANN the session will look at a variety of national and regional opportunities for training; such as in the different Summer Schools on Internet Governance (SSIG) held; examples including at Meissen (which last year had its 10th Anniversary) and the Southern School (Latin America) on IG.  The Session could also usefully flag the various ISOC initiatives on capacity building and the work taken forward by DIPL

The session will attempt to address many questions, including: 

1.  How do these programmes fulfil  the ongoing requirements for more active stakeholders in an increasingly busy Internet Governance space? 
2.  Are these programmes successful at balancing the diversity of active stakeholders?
3.  What is the funding model for these programmes?

4.  What more needs to be done? 

The Session, in addition to raising awareness, will seek feedback and concerns on the current Initiatives and where, perhaps, more emphasis and effort is needed.