CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS: HOW TO ENGAGE IN BROADBAND POLICY AND REGULATORY PROCESSES

Organized by LIRNEasia, Internet Society Nepal (ISOC Nepal) and Centre for Law & Technology (CLT) (with support from the Ford Foundation).

Dates: 16^th – 19^th February 2019

Location:  Hotel Jal Mahal, Gharipatan (Besides ChaChaWhee, Pokhara)

 OBJECTIVES

The objective of the four-day residential course is to produce discerning and knowledgeable consumers of research who are able to engage in broadband policy and regulatory processes.

At the end of the course attendees will:

− Be able to find and assess relevant research & evidence

− Be able to summarize the research in a coherent and comprehensive  manner

− Have an understanding of broadband policy and regulatory processes in Nepal

− Have the necessary tools to improve their communication skills

− Have some understanding of how media function and how to effectively interact with media

WHO MAY APPLY

We will be selecting 25 participants (including junior – mid level officers of government and regulatory agencies, university students, lecturers, academics, media personnel and other civil society officers working in related fields) to participate in the course. We hope to have a group of participants diverse in experience and discipline as this would enrich the discussion and give different perspectives of the issues related to broadband.

FUNDING

• Lowest cost transportation to Pokhara from where you live will be covered (not applicable for those living within 10 km from Pokhara)
• Accommodation (on twin-sharing basis) and meals for the duration of the course

(4 days and 4 nights). Arriving the evening before the course starts (15^th February 2019) and leaving on the evening of the last day of the course (19^th January 2019)

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Application form is online and can be accessed at https://goo.gl/forms/AufslVqeGRH0dP7Z2

The submission deadline is 18^th of January 2019. Notification of acceptance will be emailed on or before 26^th January 2019, with instructions on travel arrangements.

REVIEW CRITERIA

1. Content of application
2. Evidence of interest in, and commitment to, policy-relevant research
3. Gender, discipline, relevant experience and regional representation to ensure diversity

LIRNEasia (www.lirneasia.net) is a regional ICT policy and regulation think tank, active across the Asia Pacific. In partnership with Ford Foundation, LIRNEasia is working on a project on ‘Enhancing broadband policy discourse in Nepal, with emphasis on inclusion of the differently abled’. The purpose of this research is to advance the implementation of a national broadband policy for Nepal that would be broadly inclusive.

Internet Society Nepal (www.isoc.org.np), a national chapter of US based Internet Society (www.isoc.org) that works in the area of Internet Governance with the goals of “the Internet for all,” through innovation, standardization, capacity building, awareness and public engagement. ISOC Nepal has been voicing the rights of users and raising awareness of ICT development in and around its periphery. Moving on with the dynamics and adapting the global revolution of Internet, ISOC Nepal has collaborated with both government and private sector to bridge the policy and application gaps. ISOC Nepal has further played a key role at policy and awareness level forwarding suggestions and policies recommendations at both associational and professional level. Facilitating the human resource need, it has also been organizing different level of Seminars, Conference, Workshops, Training programs etc. according to the need, providing an effective eye to quality and standards of international scenario.

Centre for Law and Technology, an ICT policy think tank based in Kathmandu working in the area of law, technology and society, established by a group of law, policy and technology enthusiast. CLT focuses on research, policy analysis, capacity building and advocacy in the area of Internet Law, Telecommunications, Software Law, Cyber Crime Investigation, Internet Governance Issues, Access to Digital Society, Cyber Forensic Analysis, ICT Training, Consulting Service and much more.