RSA Security, Egypt
My academic journey has equipped me with a multidisciplinary understanding crucial for navigating the complexities of internet governance. My Master’s in Information and Communication Sciences from the University of Poitiers, coupled with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ain Shams University, provides a strong foundation in competitive analysis, law, and marketing, allowing me to comprehend the diverse needs and perspectives of stakeholders within the digital ecosystem. Furthermore, my IBM Cybersecurity and Digital Policy Education enhances my awareness of the critical security challenges within the internet environment.
Fellow Report:
From July 27 to Aug. 2, 2025, I attended the European Summer School on Internet Governance (Eurossig) in Meissen, Germany with 27 other fellows from different parts of the words with various backgrounds representing governments, civil society, businesses, and academia & research, demonstrating a real implementation of the multistakeholder approach.
The discussions regarding Internet governance and the intersection with geopolitics and strategic policies, which sparked interactive discussions about the accountability and responsible sovereignty that states should practice. In addition, questioning the non-binding nature of several inter-governmental or UN organizations and the impact of the absence of the authority to implement a lot of the resolutions these organizations reached in past times.
Furthermore, I was really interested in a new perspective that was raised during the interactive session about the use of AI and new technologies and how this can be regulated to preserve digital human rights and human rights in general, so these new techs aren’t used to oppress citizens or suppress freedom of speech. What surprised me the most, is the absence of a common framework that the different players can agree on, even regarding the regulations or protocols of the technical aspects of internet governance.
Lastly, an important point that was highlighted by faculty members during the last day, that every stakeholder has a partial view of the picture, issue or challenge and that the most important point is to include all relevant stakeholders in the 1st step of addressing an issue and trying to reach a rough consensus at the end of the process. An interesting point that I found very particular, is the idea that not all stakeholders have the same influential power or weight within governance or jurisdiction discussions, and that’s okay, the important is having their voices heard and for these stakeholders be able to express their point of views for consideration.
It was a fantastic idea to have some of the fellows present, which created an excellent opportunity for peer-to- peer learning. The speakers and faculty members were truly experts in their fields and presented new ideas to the sessions and practicum feedback. This allowed for invaluable, informal discussions during meals and breaks, making it easy to get answers to our questions. The program was exceptionally well-organized. Despite its intensity, it struck a balance between rigorous content, engaging networking, and enjoyable excursions.
Background on EuroSSIG
With more than 5 billion users worldwide, the Internet is the most important infrastructure in the information age. It influences politics, the economy and culture at both the global and the local level. Internet-related topics such as security and stability, freedom of expression, data protection, e-commerce, new market opportunities, protection of intellectual property, infrastructure development, digital divide, net neutrality, Internet of Things, etc. are finding their way onto the national and international political agenda. For some experts, Internet governance will become as important as climate change or energy supply is today. In this respect, there is no doubt that the way in which the Internet is governed, and by whom, is a highly controversial topic in 21st century diplomacy.
In its final report, the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) noted a lack of academic research and teaching on the subject of Internet governance. There was no international academic organisation dealing with Internet governance and no established universities offered comprehensive courses at the master’s level.
The academic members of the WGIG, who were also involved in developing the definition of Internet governance, took this as a challenge. They set up a small ad-hoc working group and, together with the International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) and the International Communication Association (ICA), which were also supported by UNESCO, prepared an expert meeting in June
2006 in Rathen, Germany. At the meeting in Rathen, several recommendations were discussed, including the establishment of a Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GIGANET) and the introduction of Schools on Internet Governance (SIG).
In July 2007, Medienstadt Leipzig e.V., a German non-profit organisation and an ‘At Large Structure’ (ALS) recognised under the ICANN bylaws, organised the first European Summer School on Internet Governance (EuroSSIG) in Meißen, Germany. But other than the name suggests it was always a global school with fellows from across the world.
Since then, many regional schools for Internet governance (SIGs) have been created and the concept established worldwide. An IGF Dynamic Coalition was created to cooperate and connect with all SIGs worldwide (see: https://www.igschools.net/sig/).
Course
The European Summer School on Internet Governance (EuroSSIG) helps interested students and academics, as well as people working in the private sector or in governments, to better understand the global controversy surrounding Internet governance and to gain comprehensive and structured knowledge about the various aspects of Internet governance.
A one-week academic course, held annually at the end of July, covers the political, legal, economic, socio- cultural, and technological dimensions related to Internet governance.
Each year, the faculty is composed of about 20 experts from different stakeholder groups. It is truly a multi- stakeholder faculty, including representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society and the technical community. The fellows also represent various stakeholder groups from around the world. Fellows are targeted not at undergraduate students, but at individuals who have already started their careers and use the summer school to move into leadership positions.
So far, the concept has worked: more than 500 fellows from around the world have participated in the Meissen School since 2007. Many of them are now involved in national and global Internet governance bodies (including the ICANN and ISOC boards, UN committees and in leading positions in civil society organisations).