University of Groningen, Netherlands
I am currently studying European law at Maastricht University (with courses in Internet Law and Governance). My background is in Media, Telecommunications, digital culture, data, network and social media analysis from University of Groningen, with a minor in international relations, diplomacy and economics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. I have attended a summer school at University of Leiden in “The EU, UN and Global Governance”, and an autumn school on Judicial and social aspects of violence against children in armed conflict. Moreover, I interned at the NATO Defense College, working in a role focused on Information Systems and Technology.
Fellow Report:
EuroSSIG is a top-notch forum and intensive course that addresses topics such as internet governance, geo- strategic policy, the functioning and management of the critical internet resources, emerging technologies, cyber crime, and human rights. It brings together leading expertise, netizens, representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, as well as internet governance and public policy enthusiasts. It is a stimulating environment with a multinational character that fosters in-depth discussions and critical reflections that take into account different jurisdictions, priorities, resources, and technical developments.
The programme followed a natural progression, moving from foundational concepts such as the functioning of generic or country code top-level domains, protocols, registries, root servers, and the role of ICANN, IANA, Regional Internet Registries, IEFT, to more complex debates including quantum technology, cyber security, attribution of cyber incidents, DNS abuse, synthetic data in AI, algorithmic decision-making, disinformation and surveillance. I particularly enjoyed the balance between self-study, interactive seminars, group work and breakout sessions where we could continue the discussions and focus on more specialised aspects in greater depth. I could learn not only from the speakers but from the other peers, which made the experience truly memorable and enriching.
Working on the WSIS+20 recommendation brief proved to be a great exercise to understand the UN process, priorities, current issues, and the challenge in building consensus across diverse stakeholders. It allowed us to collaborate, exchange expertise and insights due to our varied professional backgrounds, and propose novel approaches that complemented the Action Lines in our final report. I explored in particular the role of ICTs in crisis management, strategies to enhance ICT resilience, maintain uninterrupted connectivity and strengthen responses to forced displacement, the protection of critical infrastructure and emergency preparedness. It reaffirmed the importance of multistakeholder cooperation and the value of a coordinated response.
I feel that I have a better understanding of technical aspects and regulatory challenges, and a heightened commitment in joining the efforts and contributing to the vision of a “people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society”. I could always hear during the summer school about new initiatives being developed, current projects, challenges, accomplishments, start-ups, communities, associations, opportunities, companies, or best practices and strategies that can be integrated into other national and regional contexts. The organizers have succeeded in preserving this aspect by creating a hub that connects likeminded individuals through the Alumni network, thereby fostering ongoing dialogue that often drives further improvements and developments in the field.
All in all, joining EuroSSIG sparked my curiosity, made me inquire, reflect and become more eager to delve further into the intricacies of internet and digital governance, on the freedom of innovation, content moderation, safe practices, resilience and interplay between corporate policies, substantive laws, organisational culture, and politics.