IGF 2016 FAQs on Workshop and Open Forum Proposals

 

FAQs on IGF2016 Workshops

 

1. What is a workshop session? What is the purpose of workshops? 

Workshops are sessions centred around a specific Internet governance-related topic or question. They should offer expertise or insight on the topic, and in the best cases, fulfil both a didactic purpose and generate discussion among participants. Some thematic areas covered by workshops include Cybersecurity, Human Rights, Privacy, Openness, and Critical Internet Resources. 



Starting this year, workshop proposers can 'write in' their own themes in addition to, or instead of, selecting from a menu of pre-set themes. 

 

2. Who can submit a workshop proposal?

Any person, or group of persons, from any stakeholder group - civil society, the technical and academic communities, the private sector, Government - may submit a workshop proposal. First-time proposers and proposers from developing countries and least developed countries especially are encouraged to make a submission.

  

3. How can I submit? What is the deadline?

All proposals must be submitted electronically through a form provided on the IGF website. 

The deadline for submission is 6 June 2016.

 

4. What are some of the rules for submitting a proposal? 

  • No more than 3 proposals from any one individual or institution will be accepted for consideration;
  • The subject matter of the workshop proposal must be of direct relevance to Internet governance;
  • Proposal must be complete and ready for consideration, with all fields of the proposal submission form completed;
  • Proposers who held a workshops at previous IGFs were required to have submitted a workshop report after the meeting. The proposer must provide a link to this workshop report in their new proposal for IGF2016. Proposals submitted by those who held workshops in the 2014 or 2015 IGF, but who failed to file a workshop report afterwards, will be declined.

 

5. Is there a fee for holding a workshop? 

There is no fee of any kind for submitting a workshop proposal. There is also no fee for the room the workshop will occupy at the IGF, and no collateral cost for the IGF Secretariat’s promotion of the workshop as part of overall promotion of the IGF programme.  

Personal costs, however, will apply to attending the annual meeting, including travel and hotel costs. 

 

6. Will funding be provided? 

On a limited basis, the IGF Secretariat will fund some participants to attend the annual meeting in the context of specific eligibility criteria. Please consult these here.

 

7. How is a workshop proposal evaluated? What happens if the proposed workshop is selected?

The IGF's Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) evaluates and selects all workshop proposals, consulting with the IGF Secretariat on organizational matters. 

The final round of evaluation will take place this year during the MAG’s face-to-face meeting in July 2016. Once complete, the successful proposers and candidates for workshop mergers (please see question 10 below) are informed by email by the Secretariat. The selected workshops are then incorporated into the IGF2016 programme, taking into account, to the extent possible, the room and scheduling requirements of the organizers. 

Organizers will be periodically requested by the Secretariat to update their workshop information and provide additional details on speakers.

 

8. Who are the speakers in a workshop? How can I find speakers for my workshop? 

Proposers can include any speaker they deem fit for their workshop.

Proposers/organizers having difficulty finding speakers with the right expertise are invited to consult the IGF’s ‘roster of resource persons’. The rostered individuals, usually experts in their respective Internet governance fields, have volunteered to act as resource persons in IGF sessions upon request.

 

9. What is the length and format of a workshop?

The majority of workshops are 90 minutes-long, however this can vary depending on the format selected by the proposer. There are different format options with corresponding lengths (30, 60 or 90 minutes), as indicated in the Outline of Formats. Proposers may also select their own innovative formats and specify the appropriate length.

 

10. What is a 'workshop merger'?

In a small number of cases, if a workshop proposal is very similar thematically and shows a great deal of synergy with another proposal, upon evaluation, the MAG will suggest the sets of organizers merge their sessions. This is also done to include proposals which are worthy but for which space in the programme has already run out.

Organizers are under no obligation to accept a merger, but risk losing the opportunity to hold their workshop.

 

11. Who will attend the proposed workshop? 

Any in-person or online participant of the IGF annual meeting can attend a workshop, as it is a requirement for workshops to be open. IGF participants come from all stakeholder groups and regions.

 

12. What can I do to maximize my chances for a successful workshop proposal? 

Consult the Guidelines and Considerations for workshop proposers before making your submission! These contain several useful tips for crafting appropriate and interesting proposals.

 

13. Who can I contact if I need more information?

Please get in touch with the IGF Secretariat at igf[at]un[dot]org

 

Additional FAQs on IGF2016 Open Forums

 

1. What is an open forum session? What is the purpose of open forums?  

Open forums are intended as platforms for Governments and organizations to showcase or discuss their recent Internet governance-related activities. They are not required to focus on a particular theme.

 

2. Who can submit an open forum proposal or request? 

Governments and organizations dealing with Internet governance issues, including UN system and treaty-based international organizations, may submit open forum requests.

 

3. How can I submit? What is the deadline?

All proposals must be submitted electronically through a form provided on the IGF website

The deadline for submission is 20 June 2016.

 

4. Is there a fee for holding an open forum?

There is no fee of any kind associated with holding an open forum.

 

5. How is an open forum proposal evaluated? What happens if the proposed open forum is approved? 

Open forum proposals/requests are received and selected by the Secretariat, largely on the basis of available space in the programme and whether or not the organizers meet the requirements for who can propose (please see question 2 above). As stated on the IGF’s website, Governments and treaty-based international organizations will be given open forum slots on a priority basis.

Successful proposers will be informed by email by the Secretariat. Open forum sessions will then be incorporated into the IGF2016 programme, taking into account, to the extent possible, the organizers’ room and scheduling requirements.

Organizers will be periodically requested by the Secretariat to update their session information and provide any additional details.

 

6. What is the length of an open forum? 

Open forums are 60 minutes-long.

 

7. Who will attend the open forum? 

Any in-person or online participant of the IGF annual meeting can attend open forums, as it is a requirement for these to be open. IGF participants come from all stakeholder groups and regions.

 

8. Who can I contact if I need more information?

Please get in touch with the IGF Secretariat at igf[at]un[dot]org