Pacific Islands Internet Governance Forum Community

Announcement 

We are thrilled to announce the selection of the PacIGF2024 Fellows, a group of outstanding individuals chosen for their exceptional achievements, contributions, and potential in their respective fields relevant to Internet governance. 

Name and Country

1. Alice Alisae Aotee, Solomon Islands

2. Ashutosh Akhilesh Maharaj, Fiji

3. Athena Sasao Matalavea, Samoa

4. Bibhya Nand Sharma, Fiji

5. Elisapeta Tipasa Mauai, Samoa

6. Fiapaipai Sakuma, Samoa

7. Hanson Waki, Vanuatu

8. Jeffery Garae, Vanuatu

9. Lavinia Kataria Rowena Dakei, Solomon Islands

10. Mele Silia Louverda Tavake, Tonga

11. Nancy Kanasa, Papua New Guinea

12, Russell Deka HARADA, Papua New Guinea 

13. Salanieta Bevu Tuiloma, Fiji

14. Suetena Loia, Samoa

15.  Terianna Kourabi, Kiribati

16.  Tevita Filimone Movete, Tonga

Please join us in congratulating the PacIGF2024 Fellows! 

PacIGF 2024, Wellington, New Zealand, Hybrid FELLOWSHIP Application Guideline

Theme: "Strengthening Digital Governance in the Pacific Islands".

Fellowship application window: 1st June to 22nd June 2024 

Notification of successful applicants: On or before 1st July 2024

The PacIGF 2024 Fellowship program aims to bring diversity into the Internet Governance community by fostering the participation of the Pacific region in Internet Governance discussions. The program seeks to support Pacific members of the technical community who are interested in participating or who are working in roles that promote the development and strengthening of a better internet. 

Through the program, the fellows can understand local issues and developments in the Pacific region and seek to provide impartial advice to governments and the public on internet-related matters that are relevant to Pacific Island people. 

The program will provide the selected fellows with the opportunity to meet and interact with noted leaders and experts of the technical community as well as the APNIC58 representatives. 

PICISOC will provide funding to support the in-person participation of successful applicants to the PacIGF 2024. Throughout the program fellows will have the chance to:

- Learn more about PacIGF and the services offered by the Chapter. 

- Participate in the various other interaction spaces available during the PacIGF and APNIC platforms. 

- Leverage PICISOC face-to-face event as an opportunity to exchange information and network with industry professionals with similar interests. 

- Gain an in-depth understanding of the emerging technologies, cybersecurity, privacy and internet regulations process in the Pacific context and how to help out to mitigate risks. 

- Contribute to the creation of synergies between different actors that will lead to the creation of working groups on issues of common interests. 

Requirements for Selected Fellows (Must Read) 

Vaccination

All in-person Fellows are required to be fully vaccinated before arrival. Once you have accepted the Fellowship offer, you will be asked to submit proof of full vaccination before the trip. Provide proof of vaccination to ensure the offer is valid.

Travel Insurance

All in-person Fellows are required to purchase travel insurance which covers a certain level of Covid-19 related costs for their trip at their own expense before arriving in New Zealand. Once you have accepted the offer to be an onsite Fellow, you shall purchase travel insurance and update the board by email. Failure to obtain travel insurance will not be granted sponsorship for flights and accommodation.

Insurer Product Name & Application Page 

E.g. Zurich Insurance XX Plan, P.Y

Passport & Visa

Please check that you have a valid passport until the end of the trip, and whether you will require a valid visa to enter New Zealand. Selected fellows traveling to New Zealand shall apply for visa (if necessary) at their own expense. We will be happy to assist in case you need any supporting documents for the application.

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority – Visa Requirements

We recommend that you make use of this tool to check the latest Covid restrictions particularly for your trip:  International SOS – COVID Trip Planner

Evaluation Criteria Priorities

Nationality & City of Residence

● Eligibility – open to Pacific individuals who reside in the Pacific Region. 

● Does the country which the applicant represents contribute to the diversity of countries?

● How many participants from the country have attended past conferences or have been fellows?

Engagement

● Has the applicant engaged in any Pacific IGF or IGF initiatives before? If so, please provide details of engagement. Engagement in the community increases the chance of an applicant receiving a Fellowship.

● Does the applicant have a clear plan/vision for community engagement or other contribution to Pacific IGF, after the conference?

Contribution to Diversity

● Is the applicant’s plan likely to help with the equal participation of women and gender diverse communities at both regional and local levels?

● Is the applicant’s plan likely to enhance the multistakeholder concept?

Engagement Requirements of Fellows

Pre-Conference

● Attend online introductory course(s) on Internet Governance as designated.

● Attend the pre-conference preparation webinar for Fellows.

● Join the 2024 Fellows mailing list discussions.

● Coordinate with the assigned buddy group and attend group coordination calls.

● Make use of your social media presence to promote the event, sessions and activities, by actively creating and sharing posts online.

During Conference

● Participate in the capacity-building sessions on Day 0.

● Coordinate within the assigned buddy group and attend at least 80% of all sessions during the 2-day main conference.

● Attend Fellows-mentors meet-up sessions and report to the mentor about the sessions they have attended.

● Join in various activities with the assistance of mentors/Fellowship Committee. For example (but not limited to):

● Coordinate and work among the buddy group to provide a summary report in a dedicated session on Day 2.

● Attend the briefing session on Day 1.

● Help promote Pacific IGF! For example, live-tweet the event to increase engagement and draw attention to Pacific IGF in real time; create posts/ blogs/ videos to share your learnings and opinions after attending sessions, etc.

Post Conference

● Share your key takeaways or the issues highlighted from Pacific IGF in any popular format, e.g. blog post, video log, recording, etc.

● Share it online with your community and send a link to the PICISOC within 2 weeks after the conference.

● Complete a fellowship feedback survey within the specified deadline.

● Participate in the post-conference buddy group call to review the program experience.

● Engage in local community development initiatives.

● Upon return, assist the PacIGF committee by advocating for IG through various activities and prepare potential candidates for fellowship opportunities in future through mentorship programs. 

● Fellowship support: Selected Fellows will be granted an amount subject to final confirmation. Transfer will be made to Fellows after the conference when they have fulfilled the engagement requirements.

Scope

PICISOC will provide successful applicants the following benefits:

- PICISOC will cover accommodation for 1 person ( share with another fellow for the number of nights required to participate in the entire event.) 

Any additional hotel expenses (e.g., phone calls, room service, laundry, massages, movies, etc.) will be the responsibility of the Fellow. Bear in mind that hotels may request a credit card guarantee or cash deposit for additional expenses.

● PICISOC will cover the Fellow's return economy class ticket from their place of residence to Wellington New Zealand, where the event is held.

PICISOC will not be responsible for airport transfers, airport taxes, or visa expenses. Obtaining any required visas and complying with other requirements such as mandatory vaccination, certificates of negative COVID-19 test results, travel insurance, and any other documentation required to travel to the event location will be the applicant's sole responsibility.

Application Form is available on  https://fellowship.apnic.net/index.php  

If you need more information about the event, please contact pacigffellowship@gmail.com 

1. Application Process

a. All applications must be written in English and submitted on time as per Fellowship Application Guide. 

b. A PICISOC Fellowship Selection committee reviews all received applications and is made up of representatives nominated by the PacIGF Organizing Committee after notice is sent to the PICISOC community for volunteers to the Organizing committee. The Fellowship committee assesses each application according to the PICISOC Fellowship Applicant Selection Criteria and will consider comments from PICISOC members on individual applications, and the overall needs of each island country and community group in the PICISOC organization’s multistakeholder. Confidentiality is a crucial component of the selection process.  

c.  All successful candidates are announced on the PACIGF website (https://pacificigf.org )  as per the Fellowship Application Guide and to the PICISOC mailing list. Successful candidates will receive an email from the PICISOC Fellowship Selection Committee to the email provided on their application and be asked to confirm acceptance of the fellowship. The confirmation must be received by the Fellowship Committee within 7 days. If the selected candidate wants a support letter for Visa purposes, the PacIGF Fellowship committee will provide this letter. If a candidate declines the fellowship, an established list of alternates will be used to fill the vacated position. 

2. Travel and other support once selected. 

a. Travel will be booked by the PICISOC Logistics Committee through its designated Travel Management company. This will help ensure that the most economical travel costs are attained to maximize sponsorships and use of PICISOC funds.       and allows the PICISOC Logistics team to ensure security and well being of supported travelers. 

b. PICISOC Logistics Committee will not purchase any travel tickets for a fellow unless they are in receipt and can show proof of valid travel documents: passport (biodata), required destination and transit visa, and travel insurance if required. 

c. PICISOC shall not be liable for any loss or expenses (including airfares) for travel delays incurred by the fellow as a result of inaccurate information provided by the fellow, delays in submitting the appropriate forms to the relevant authorities or refusals of host or transit country authorities to grant a visa to the fellow. 

d. PICISOC is not liable for any cost of a fellow’s partner or family who wishes to take with her or him to the PacIGF event. 

e. PICISOC will cover the cost of the lowest available economy class airfare at the time of the booking based on the fellows approved dates of arrival and departure.

f.  PICISOC Logistic Committee will book and pay for a standard room and fellows may be required to share a room with another fellow. Fellows are not allowed to self book their hotel reservation. Any additional hotel expenses will be the responsibility of the Fellow. Bear in mind that hotels may request a credit card guarantee or cash deposit for additional expenses. 

g. Fellows may be entitled to a stipend which will be paid in cash at the event venue. 

h. Fellows who satisfactorily complete all aspects of the program have to submit a post meeting survey and will receive a Certificate of completion for the PacIGF Fellowship Program. 

i. Fellows agree to abide by the PICISOC  Fellowship Process and Terms to determine the level and amount of travel support provided by PICISOC and acknowledge the responsibilities shared with the fellows. 

j. If the fellow encounters an emergency during the Pre-Fellowship Program, the PICISOC Board has the discretion to continue or discontinue this fellow’s program. 

3. National Laws and Legislation 

a. During the travel period covered under the PICISOC Fellowship Program, it is the fellow’s responsibility to comply with local laws and legislation of the country or countries to which he or she will travel (including but not limited to laws pertaining to immigration, taxation, customs, employment and foreign exchange control). 

b. It is the fellow’s responsibility to comply with all regulations (including those dealing with visas and required vaccinations) of any country visited. 

c. PICISOC is not responsible for obtaining visas for fellows but may assist with communications regarding the visas, including a support letter to the PacIGF conference for which the fellow has been granted a fellowship.

4. Required Travel Documents 

a. Each selected fellow must be in possession of a valid passport prior to PICISOC booking any travel (airfare and hotel)

b. Travel documents as required by the fellow’s country of origin or the country hosting the conference. Destination visas and transit visas may be required to connect in certain cities or countries. Fellows should check with their local consulate agency. 

c. All travel documents must be consistent with the name on the fellow’s valid passport. 

5. Personal Safety and Health 

a. It’s the responsibility of the fellow to acquire and pay for any and all insurance, including but not limited to travel (and health) insurance. 

b. PICISOC is not responsible for the personal health, safety or belongings of the fellow. 

c. It is not PICISOC’s responsibility to inform or provide advice to fellows about travel conditions or safety of travelers.

6. Required Post Meeting Reporting 

a. Each fellow is required to complete a post-meeting survey within two weeks following the conclusion of the PICISOC conference. The survey will gather details about the fellow’s experiences in the Fellowship Program as well as his or her thoughts on future contributions to the PICISOC community and processes. 

b. Each fellow is required to submit a post event one page report for the website.

7. Required to join Drafting Committee and Social Media Committee

a. Each fellow is required to take notes during the Pacific IGF event and update the drafting committee report on a daily basis. They will be required to document the key sessions, highlights and the recommendations. The PICISOC Board will assign fellows to the various sessions to assist with administration or coordination.    

b. Each fellow will be required to      post      on their LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter       daily to promote and highlight the       event they attended      . These posts should include the relevant tags                   #PICISOC. Each fellow gives permission to the organizers to use their photos on the PICISOC website.

8. Deferment. 

a. Fellows must re-apply for each fellowship round.      

9. Failure to Comply with Terms 

a. Please note that if a fellow chooses to not comply with any of the above mentioned terms of the PICISOC Fellowship Program, PICISOC reserves the right to determine the appropriate course of action including but not limited to : (i) terminating the fellowship prior to the end of a meeting, (ii) causing the fellow’s early departure from the program and PacIGF conference; (iii) suspending fellows from future PICISOC organized and sponsored events, (iv) and / or asking the fellow to cover costs for expenditures. 

10. Privacy Policy. 

PICISOC respects the protection and privacy of personal information. PICISOC abides and follows the ISOC Privacy and Public Policy is available here