History

North American School of Internet Governance

A Brief History

NASIG stands for the North American School of Internet Governance. It is the first and, as of today, the only school in the North American region created to teach the development and application of principles, norms, rules, decision‑making mechanisms, and programs that shape the evolution and use of the Internet. These elements are what makes-up Internet Governance (IG). Actors in the IG sphere include governments, the private sector, and civil society.

In 2016, at the IGF Guadalajara, Mexico, during the session dedicated to the Dynamic Coalition of Schools of Internet Governance, Eduardo Díaz, and Alfredo Calderón, members of ISOC Puerto Rico, realized that North America didn't have its version of a school of Internet Governance. This led to the formation of a steering committee, and within 18 months, with the help of many collaborators and after two hurricanes, the idea became a reality.

The first NASIG was launched in San Juan, PR, as a three-day event with the NASIG 2018 slogan: Many Challenges, One Internet: Your Role. On March 7, 8 & 9 March 2018, and followed by the celebration of the ICANN61 Public Forum meeting, 35 students from Canada, the United States, and Puerto Rico were lectured by 19 faculty members on Internet Governance concepts.

NASIG 2018 Testimonials

(All testimonials at - https://bit.ly/3ypNSwi)


In 2019 NASIG Montreal took place with an English and French track prior to the ICANN66 Annual General Assembly. Glenn McKnight led them as the Chair of the English track and Pierre Jean Darres as the chair of the French track.

NASIG Montreal pictures https://www.flickr.com/photos/glennmcknight/albums/72157710534507268

NASIG 2019 Group picture

NASIG 2020

In 2020 the event was planned for Washington, DC, before the IGF USA 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021 the event took place virtually for two half-days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The central theme was "Towards an Inclusive, Trusted and Resilient Internet." Watch video recordings of the event by selecting Day 1 or Day 2.