View source for MEAC-SIG

'''Middle East and Adjoining Countries School on Internet Governance or MEAC-SIG''' launched as a part of ICANN's [[Middle East Engagement Strategy]], devised by the [[Middle East Strategy Working Group]]. Through [[ICANN]], the MEAC-SIG is an annual five-day event comprised of focused sessions tailored to fit the region's needs, covering a broad range of issues, ranging from technical to policy aspects of internet governance.<ref name="event2">[https://community.icann.org/display/MES/MEAC-SIG+2015 Middle East and Adjoining Countries School on Internet Governance (MEAC-SIG)], Community.ICANN.org. Retrieved 2015 December 22.</ref>

Its conferences have five tracks, targeting the following groups:<ref name="event2"></ref>
* Academia and Research
* Civil Society and NGOs
* Government and Public Sector
* Technical Community
* Private Sector and Business

Asides from its annual conference, which changes host countries every year, the MEAC-SIG program intends to continue community development by creating an alumni network and have students engage in ICANN, [[IGF]], [[Arab IGF]], National IGFs in the region and other relevant regional activities.<ref name="event2"></ref>

===Events===

=== #4 - Ankara, Turkey, (7-11 August2017, The Middle East Technical University (METU) ===
Hosted by NIC.tr

=== '''#3 - Beirut, Lebanon, (8-12 August 2016, Issam Fares Institute (IFI), American University of Beirut (AUB) )''' ===
Hosted by Social Media Exchange ([[SMEX.org|SMEX]]) in partnership with Issam Fares Institute (IFI). 

===#2 - Tunis Gammarth, Tunisia (May 25-29, 2014 at Regency Tunis Hotel)===
Hosted by [[ISOC Tunisie]] and organized by [[ICANN]].<ref name="event2"></ref>

Loose conference summary as follows:<ref name="igmena">[http://igmena.org/meac-sig-2105-english Middle East and Adjoining Countries School on Internet Governance (MEAC-SIG) in Tunisia], IGMENA.org. Retrieved 2015 December 22.</ref>
* '''Day 1:''' MEAC fellow learned about the history and evolution of internet governance, as well as the institutional development of it around the world. Experts and fellows discussed extending the [[IGF]] mandate for another five years through the UN General Assembly, which would allow MEAC-SIG to continue beyond 2015.
* '''Day 2:''' Focused on technical aspects of the internet ecosystem, including issues related to [[DNS]] in the region, and on [[gTLD]] and [[IDN]] development and deployment around the world. Also discussed was the role of ICANN in implementing DNS.
* '''Day 3:''' Brainstormed on how to bridge the digital divide between countries that have implemented [[IPv6]] and how to help developing countries still using [[IPv4]] shift to IPv6.
* '''Day 4:''' Focused on policy, covering regulatory measures, laws, and funding priorities at both global and regional levels. Also included discussions about open internet, net neutrality, individual freedom of expression, non-discriminatory flow of traffic, and internet policies which can drive societal development.
* '''Day 5:''' Centered around the [[IoT]], or Internet of Things, which means smart digital devices connected through WiFi or Bluetooth, requiring little dependence on human beings to function. Fellows also participated in a simulated version of the [[Multistakeholder Advisory Group]], where they practiced preparing an [[IGF]] agenda and reviewing IGF workshop proposals, as well as explored best practices in internet governance.

===#1 - Kuwait City, Kuwait (May 25-29, 2014)===
Hosted by the Kuwait Information Technology Society (KITS).<ref name="event1">[https://community.icann.org/display/MES/MEAC-SIG+2014 MEAC-SIG 2014], Community.ICANN.org. Retrieved 2015 December 22.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}4. [https://community.icann.org/display/MES/MEAC-SIG+2016 MEAC-SIG 2016 Wiki Space]

[[Category:Internet Governance Schools]]