The Youth Internet Governance Forum (Youth IGF) Nepal 2024 concluded with resounding success, bringing together over 125 passionate participants from diverse sectors to shape the future of internet governance. Held at Hotel Himalaya, the one-day event was a vibrant convergence of ideas, innovation, and youth leadership.
Youth IGF Nepal, an official national Initiative Recognized by the UN IGF Secretariat, is Nepal’s premier platform empowering young people to dive deep into internet governance issues. This year’s event, hosted by the Internet Society Nepal Chapter with key support from the National Youth Council, Internet Society Foundation, ISOC Youth Standing Group, IGFSA, ICANN, APNIC and dedicated community partners, delivered a powerhouse agenda focused on Nepal’s unique digital challenges and opportunities.
Dialogues That Drive Change
The opening plenary featured insights from leaders like Hempal Shrestha, Hon. Nim Giri, Pradip Khatiwada and Surendra Basnet, who emphasized the urgency of youth participation in shaping Nepal’s digital landscape. Global voices such as Amrita Choudhary (APrIGF Chair) and Anja Gengo (UN IGF Secretariat) highlighted threats like fragmentation and cybercrime, while advocating for universal access and inclusive governance.
Experts like Samiran Gupta (ICANN) and Upasana Hembram (ISOC Foundation) championed the multistakeholder model. Gupta stressed, “Before you grab opportunities, understand the uniqueness of the internet governance model,” while Hembram celebrated youth’s fresh perspectives for driving consensus.
From Dialogues to Commitments
From Dialogues to Commitments
From flash talks on AI and misinformation to a dynamic role-play on platform governance, the agenda was packed with engaging formats. Participants became stakeholders i.e. business, government, civil society, and techtackling real-world governance issues for a simulated app, highlighting data privacy, content moderation, and local regulations.
A standout moment was the roundtable with MPs and policymakers, where youth directly intervened challenges in ICT policy and advocated for inclusive legislation.
A critical roundtable featuring Aananda Gautam, Babu Ram Aryal, and Hon. Pratima Gautam underscored a stark reality: youth dominate internet use but are often sidelined in policy-making. Lawmaker Gautam committed to organizing youth roundtables to ensure their voices are heard in future digital policy processes.
Fellowship That Transforms
Fellowship That Transforms
Youth IGF Nepal 2024 also hosted a cohort of fellows whose reflections revealed the transformative power of the forum. From human rights officers to tech students, fellows shared how the event deepened their understanding of digital rights, multistakeholderism, and policy advocacy.
The energy was palpable in the voices of the Youth IGF Fellows, whose reflections revealed the transformative power of the forum:
- Rahul Mahato: “Transformative… equipped me with practical strategies for online safety and mental health advocacy.”
- Dev Raj Pariyar: “Enhanced my understanding of digital rights and sharpened multi-stakeholder negotiation skills.”
- Mangita Nepali: “Empowered me to articulate my views meaningfully… renewed commitment to digital equity.”
- Namuna Sharma: “Unforgettable… deeper appreciation for ICT complexities and motivation to contribute.”
- Yadav Singh Dhami: “Empowered me to voice my opinions… practical insights into current trends.”
- Samir Pokhrel: “Solidified my passion for public policy at the intersection of tech and governance.”
- Gurmeet Kaur: “Made me more conscious of my online activities… motivated to share knowledge on being smart users.”
🎉 A New Chapter Begins
The event concluded with the election of Sanjina Kshetri as the new Vice Chair of Youth IGF Nepal. In his closing remarks, Chair of youth IGF Ananda Gautam reaffirmed the commitment to empowering youth in digital governance and called on all stakeholders to join the movement.
Gratitude & The Road Ahead
A massive thank you to all participants, speakers, moderators, fellows, and our incredible hosts and supporters – especially the Internet Society Nepal Chapter and the National Youth Council. The passion, expertise, and collaborative spirit were truly inspiring.
Youth IGF Nepal 2024 wasn’t just an event; it was a catalyst. The conversations ignited here, the connections forged, and the commitments made will echo through Nepal’s digital landscape. The message is clear: Nepali youth are informed, engaged, and ready to build a Digital Nepal that is open, inclusive, secure, and truly transformative.
We harnessed the energy. We shared the vision. Now, let’s build the digital future together.
See you Next Year!
