Open Internet for Democracy Leaders Study Program, 2022

Publish Date: Jun 26, 2022

Deadline: Jul 08, 2022

The Open Internet for Democracy Leaders Program - a collaboration between the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) - is a year-long non-residential leadership program that empowers emerging leaders from across the globe to build their advocacy and organizing skills to protect internet freedom. 
The Open Internet for Democracy Leaders are a unique cohort of global advocates from civic organizations, media, and the private sector who are passionate about protecting and promoting an open internet.  

The program aims to: 

  • Empower emerging open internet advocates to advance internet policy discussions and organize for change in their country and/or region.
  • Strengthen the Open Internet for Democracy Community by connecting emerging open internet advocates with their global peers.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Create a joint policy paper on ways to strengthen digital governance 
  • Together, the cohort will collaborate on a joint policy paper to produce recommendations and case studies that identify opportunities and threats around a specific policy trend with significant impact on an open, and democratic online space. 
  • The cohort will select the topic during a four day in-person project design sprint (anticipated to take place in late January 2023, location TBD). The policy paper will be further developed and finalized through on-going virtual engagement with the cohort throughout the remainder of the Leaders program.
  • Conduct national or regional advocacy to strengthen digital governance
  • Individually, Leaders will be responsible for organizing a local or regional activity with diverse stakeholders (e.g. civil society, independent media, and local business) to disseminate the findings from the policy paper produced as a cohort (see first bullet point). Some examples of possible advocacy activities include:
  • An advocacy campaign to raise awareness among policymakers about the pitfalls of policies that would contribute to the spread of digital authoritarianism. 
  • Training modules or videos that explain the implications of digital authoritarianism for civil society, media, and/or the private sector. 
  • A multi-stakeholder workshop or roundtable discussion (with civil society, media, and/or the private sector) to discuss a proposed government action that threatens digital rights.
  • A clear strategy for engaging local and regional open internet advocates and groups to collaborate on future efforts. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Demonstrated interest or experience working on digital rights and open internet issues, with preference given to those focused on media, local private sector/business, or civic/political participation
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas: policy, activism, research, or technical expertise
  • Strong writing skills
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in collaboration with colleagues across different time zones 
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
  • Fluency in written and spoken English  
  • Demonstrated public speaking experience speaking a plus
  • Ability to travel to at least one international conference (location TBD; costs covered; In-person participation in such events is contingent on health considerations related to the COVID-19 pandemic) a plus
  • Access to reliable internet connection that will enable participation in video or virtual workshops or conferences 
  • Ability to actively participate in regular check-in calls with program organizers and in virtual orientation sessions
  • Applicants must live and work in an OECD-DAC eligible country.  

STIPEND AND BENEFITS
Selected applicants will be joining a community of like-minded advocates in which they will have opportunities for peer learning and sharing their work. During the program, Open Internet Leaders will:  

  • Receive an honorarium of $2000 USD for completing their required activities 
  • Learn from leaders in the digital rights and advocacy community during presentations and workshops
  • Access mentorship and soft skills training opportunities 
  • Connect with cohort of Leaders during an in-person project design sprint*
  • Participate as Open Internet for Democracy representatives at international conferences such as the Internet Governance Forum* and RightsCon

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.

Further Official Information

Link to Original

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Disciplines

Communication Studies

Democracy Studies

Development Studies

Humanities

Innovative Technologies

Leadership

Media

Policy

Technology

Study Levels

BA

Graduate

MA

Master’s

Postgraduate

Undergraduate

Opportunity Types

Study

Eligible Countries

International

Host Countries

United States