On July 13, the seventh Summer Internet Governance School, organized by the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ in partnership with MGIMO University and the School of International Information Security, officially kicked off.
A total of 351 applications were submitted by representatives from 14 countries, with 100 participants attending the introductory seminar. The majority of applications originated from Russia, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. Other applications were received from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Türkiye.
The application campaign spanned 99 cities and regions. The most distant locations included the town of Yvye, Belarus, to the west; Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to the east; Arkhangelsk to the north; and Haiphong, Vietnam, to the south.
The largest share of applications was submitted by participants from Moscow (112), St. Petersburg (55), and Tashkent (15). Notably, 169 applications – representing 48.1 percent of the total – came from other cities and regions, underscoring the program’s significant regional reach. Russian submissions covered 56 localities in the European part of the country, the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East. Uzbekistan was represented by 23 cities and regions, including Tashkent, Jizzakh, Fergana, Navoi, Shakhrisabz, Samarkand, Nukus, and Andijan.
Among the applicants, the largest group specializes in information technology and information security – 101 individuals, or 28.8 percent of the total. Seventy participants are engaged in international relations, and 48 individuals are lawyers or aspiring legal professionals. The participants’ fields of study and professional backgrounds also included linguistics, economics, psychology, management, journalism, marketing, and public administration.
All registered Summer School participants will complete an introductory course on internet governance running from July 13 to July 27, consisting of nine thematic modules. The course materials are accessible through an electronic learning platform, allowing participants to progress at their own pace while gradually deepening their understanding of key issues in internet governance, technical network architecture, international organizations, and the current digital agenda.
Upon successful completion of the preparatory and selection phase, participants will receive a certificate issued by the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ. The 50 most active and engaged participants will advance to the main stage, which is scheduled from August 3 to August 17. As a final assignment, participants will prepare an analytical essay, and those who successfully complete the main stage will receive a professional development certificate from MGIMO University.
“For many participants, the Summer School will represent their first step toward professional integration within a community of individuals who are not only interested in the development of the internet but are prepared to participate in discussions and shape its future. I encourage every participant to make the most of this opportunity: ask questions, join conversations, connect with like-minded peers, and do not hesitate to propose your own ideas. Completing the course should not be viewed as an endpoint – the Coordination Center also offers other avenues for further growth, including involvement in projects and ongoing recruitment for the Youth Council. It is precisely these initial steps that, over time, evolve into meaningful professional engagement, foster a network of like-minded individuals, and open the path to genuine participation in internet governance,” said Arevik Martirosyan, curator of the seventh Summer Internet Governance School.
For further information about the Summer School, please visit the School’s website.
