[kictanet] [who are the sponsors? Managing indoctrination risks...] CALL TO PARTICIPATE AT THE 4TH EDITION OF KENYA SCHOOL OF INTERNET GOVERNANCE (KESIG)

Wed Jul 3 19:20:02 EAT 2019

 Dear listers,
When it comes to topics that can influence thought on policy issues, the line between training and indoctrination or brainwash becomes very thin - hence the need for vigilance, close scrutiny, transparency and *neutrality assurance* of (all) policy-related training initiatives. 
Some of the companies known to sponsor such events worldwide are notorious for aggressive lobbying on policy or governance issues, ostensibly: 
a. to try avoid impending regulation of their harmful/anti-social business models (or to distort accountability and responsibility narratives);
b to try gain unfair advantage over government policy (and/or procurement) by corrupting rules, infiltrating and subverting public sector initiatives, or by peddling influence;
c. to institutionalize, launder and/or officially entrench their socially/economically damaging profit models. 
A number of them have been accused by multiple governments, regulators, civil society, journalists, intellectuals, internet users (via class action lawsuits) and even their own former executives of using either unlawful or dishonest / grossly unethical business practices in ruthless pursuit of profit. Examples of these dubious practices include purposefully developing harmful/addiction-forming radicalizing online products targeted at young people, using deceptive tactics to grow or protect their businesses, infiltrating and subverting public education systems,  subverting economies by capturing workers and learners attention, brazen disregard for people's privacy, unethical exploitation of private info, brazenly breaking laws or aggressively exploiting weak laws, exploiting public ignorance for profit and using predatory commercial strategies that are harmful to the public.
The same companies, despite having BILLIONS in revenue, *agressively avoid* contributing their FAIR SHARE of taxes (sometimes to the extent of operating illegally, with impunity, in poor countries) - thus unfairly increasing the burden on governments and taxpayers to fund remediation for the indirect damage that these rogue companies cause e.g. damage to public health, subverting education, political instability, extremism and economic sabotage. These indirect, hidden burdens (negative externalities) can be socio-economically devastating - especially in developing economies, but are seldom recognized, highlighted, mitigated or attributed to the companies that are creating/amplifying them. The same companies then chicanerously manipulate the civil society (e.g. via training & sponsorship) to defend their commercial products as a "human right"! 
So depending on the sponsor(s), curriculum and governance framework, a training initiative could either be seen as legitimate training or a kind of backdoor indoctrination.

This is why it is important to have full transparency and independent vetting of such sensitive initiatives (including sponsors, curriculum, tutors, accreditation etc). 

Also the use of the word "school" suggests an institution that has undergone formal vetting and accreditation. Yet when I look at the website, it ostensibly reads as if the "school" is an event. Questions:
1. Is it a school or is it an event? 
2. Where is the school based? 
3. Is it registered with relevant training oversight bodies?
4. Who are the lecturers and what are their credentials? 
5. Who developed the coursework & what process was used? This is in view of high risk of content subversion due to powerful business interests having high conflicts of interest on policy and governance issues.
6. Is the school & coursework accredited? By which bodies?
7. Does it issue certificates? 
8. How is the school/course funded? Does it have transparency reports? Where can they be found?
9. Who are the sponsors of this event/course? 
10. How is conflict of interest avoided (currently and in the past)? Who audits & certifies neutrality?
11. By now such kinds of (potentially subjective) public-interest courses should have been put somewhere online for free and open access. This also allows for independent public scrutiny of the course content. How come this more transparent (and more pro-internet) approach has not yet been taken (despite big sponsors)?
This is not to cast aspersions on this specific initiative but to point out, in good faith and in public interest, possible areas of risks or concern, so that they can be addressed or clarified. The issues above generally apply to any initiative(s) purporting to train stakeholders on policy and governance.
Perhaps KICTANet officials can shed more light on the above issues please or point us to online resources that have the answers for each question above?

Many thanks & have a blessed day.
Patrick.
Patrick A. M. Maina[Cross-domain Innovator | Independent Public Policy Analyst - Indigenous Innovations]
    On Wednesday, July 3, 2019, 12:24:28 PM GMT+3, mwara gichanga via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:  

Dear Listers

The internet has become a vital platform for social, economic and political development in the world, and more increasing so here in Kenya. These bring about a lot of national interests around internet governance debates across all sectors . 

The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is pleased to welcome applications from those individuals interested in internet Governance for the 4th Edition of the Kenya School of Internet Governance (KeSIG). KeSIG takes place prior to the Kenya IGF, with the aim of introducing beginners  to basic concepts in internet policy making. This is with the goal of creating and increasing the available expertise for participation in local and global internet governance processes. 

Learn more about KeSIG HERE 
Whether you are a policy maker, a researcher, a regulator, an engineer, a journalist, an entrepreneur or a human rights defender – if you are interested and want to get involved in internet policy and governance , KeSIG is designed perfectly for you!

KeSIG will take place over a  3-day course from the 29th-31st July 2019, with the deadline for submissions closing on 13th July 2019, and announcement of selected participants following soon after.

Kindly access application form HERE

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4TH EDITION OF KENYA SCHOOL OF INTERNET GOVERNANCE(KESIG)

KICTANet welcomes applications for fellows for the 4th Edition of the Kenya School of Internet Governance (KeSIG...
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For any further information or clarification , kindly email  info at kictanet.or.ke  or  Mwara Gichanga mwaragichanga at kictanet.or.ke 

Warmly

Mwara Gichanga

Tech Policy Associate

KICTANet

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