With the increasing application and use of digital technologies in almost every sector of our economies, debates related to the governance of the Internet in both developing and developed countries are gaining momentum. We need to stay abreast of these developments and the challenges associated with the rapid technological developments which impact on Internet access, use and governance. In this case, learning Internet Governance is increasingly becoming more important for policy makers and citizens in all countries. This course introduces you to key issues related to Internet Governance including political, legal, economic, socio-cultural, and technological aspects of Internet governance. Upon completion of this course, it is expected that you will be able to link between global issues and national and regional digital policies.
This is a self-paced course where there will be no interaction with the course facilitator. However, you will interact intensively in discussions with other learners from around the world in the discussion forums. The discussion activities will be based on learning materials, case studies, and reflections. Therefore, you are required to read learning materials made available in each unit and discuss course materials and complete additional activities. You will also be able to read posts from other learners and provide your comments on their posts.
The course has ten units and you can learn at your own pace. Nonetheless, it is advised to spend at least one week per unit, making a total of ten weeks.
Target learners
The course suits the following:
- officials in government ministries, departments, or institutions dealing with the Information Society, internet and ICT-related policy issues (e.g. telecommunications, education, foreign affairs, justice)
- postgraduate students, academics and researchers in the IG field (e.g. in telecommunications, electrical engineering, law, economics, development studies)
- civil society activists in the IG and Information Society fields
- journalists covering IG issues
- individuals in internet business-related fields (e.g. ISPs, software developers)
Prerequisites
Applicants for this course must have regular access to the Internet and a minimum of seven to ten hours commitment per week
Course Assessment
The course is subject to continuous assessment through quizzes. Upon completion of all compulsory activities, a certificate will be activated so that you can download it for future use.
