about sidi
The second edition of SIDI – the School on Internet Governance, Digital Policies and Innovation will take place on 31 May – 11 June 2021, in a fully online format. SIDI is co-organised by the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the South Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance (SEEDIG), with the support of several international, regional and local partners.
WHAT
SIDI is designed for graduate students and professionals keen to learn more about digital innovation, the impact of the Internet and other digital technologies on our society and economy, as well as the multiple dimensions of digital policy and Internet governance.
WHO
The school is mainly addressed to citizens or residents of economies in South Eastern Europe and the neighbouring area (SEE+), but other applicants are welcome as well.
how
SIDI 2021 will be held online, over the course of two weeks, with an overall programme of 30–35 hours. All activities will be scheduled at the end of the working day.
Students may also be expected to work on their assignments over the weekend.
news
The call for applications for SIDI 2021 was open until 9 May 2021. We received 85 applications from highly qualified individuals, which made the selection process very competitive.
The Class of 2021 includes 30 participants – both professionals and master/PhD students from 15 countries. Meet the Class.
SIDI 2021 programme
The SIDI 2021 programme will span two weeks, with a total of 30–35 hours. Some of the topics to be covered include Internet technology and infrastructure; digital policy in SEE+; digital societies and the future of work; intellectual property rights; regulating Big Tech; digital transformation and economic growth; and a lot more. Lectures will be combined with in-depth sessions, team exercises, and networking opportunities.
SIDI faculty
The SIDI 2021 faculty includes an amazing mix of academics, high-ranking representatives of international and intergovernmental organisations, members of parliament, and experts from think-tanks, civil society and industry.
Stay tuned as we will be publishing more info about our inspiring lecturers and guests.
What do we offer?
Programme
An engaging, current, interactive programme
Expert lecturers and special guests
Student-led activities
Main subjects
Setting the scene: from technology to policy
Internet infrastructure
Security, trust and digital rights
Digital economy and society
Future societies (artificial intelligence, smart cities, the future of work)
Digital policy from a regional perspective
An international scientific committee will further define the courses. The programme will be led by top of the line social scientists, engineers, industry and institutional representatives and practitioners.
Social events
Having SIDI 2021 online does not mean we will miss on networking and social opportunities. These will still be part of the programme, together with a few surprises to make this online experience memorable.
What do we expect?
active participation
Selected participants are expected to engage prior to, during and after SIDI with the school coordinators, peers and lectures. Participants will be asked to:
Go through some preparatory materials before the start of SIDI
Actively participate in the lectures, debates and exercises included in the programme during SIDI
Submit a report and fill out an evaluation survey after SIDI
Language
Since the entire programme is in English with no interpretation in any languages, all participants need to possess good English speaking, writing and listening skills.
CERTIFICATE
At the conclusion of SIDI, participants meeting the attendance requirements will receive a certificate issued by the school organisers and partners. For students, the successful completion of the programme will be equivalent to 3 ECTS credits. Upon prior request, the university (SNSPA) can include a note in this regard into the participants’ certificates
Application and selection
eligibility
SIDI 2021 is open to graduate students and professionals from any stakeholder group (academia, civil society, governments, intergovernmental organisations, private sector, and technical community).
The school is mainly addressed to citizens or residents of economies in South Eastern Europe and the neighbouring area (SEE+), but other applicants are welcome as well.
To be eligible for the programme, applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong interest in Internet governance and digital policy issues. However, this doesn’t mean you need to be an expert in these areas. The school welcomes both experienced practitioners who want to expand their knowledge, as well as individuals who are only making their first steps in the field.
Applicants could include:
Civil servants working in ministries or agencies that deal with issues such as e-government and digital transformation, electronic communications, education, regulation, innovation, ICT policies, cybersecurity, etc.
Professionals in sectors such as ICT, media, cybersecurity, networks, digital start-ups, communication and new media.
Students who are writing/plan to write their dissertation/PhD thesis on topics related to Internet and digital policy issues.
selection
The SIDI selection committee will evaluate all applications and select a maximum of 25 participants.
The selection will be based on (a) the background and motivations of the applicants, and (b) diversity of participants in terms of country, stakeholder group, gender, age, expertise, and experience.
Only those selected for the school will be contacted by the committee.
Partner with us in organising SIDI 2021!
We invite interested entities to partner in organising the school. We welcome support from:
Regional and international organisations which are part of the Internet governance and digital policy ecosystem
Internet, ICT, digital technology companies and associations with an interest in supporting capacity development programmes for the region, partnering with major local and international institutions
Romanian entities (public institutions, companies, associations, universities, etc.)
Both financial and/or in-kind contributions are much welcome! Some examples include participation in the school’s planning process, lecturers and facilitators to contribute to the school’s programme, etc.
The SIDI 2021 concept note provides a list of partnership options designed to assist interested organisation in finding the right level of engagement for your budget and your time. Let us know if you have any questions, we will be happy to find the right fit for your organisation.
