Youth IGF Nepal 2026

Annual Forum

Introduction

Now in its fifth year, the Youth IGF initiative continues to empower young people to engage with vital issues at the crossroads of technology, governance, and society. The 2026–27 calendar connects participants through interactive forums, capacity-building workshops, and fellowship opportunities. This collaborative ecosystem is built to amplify diverse youth perspectives and strengthen their role in driving Nepal’s digital future.

Registration

Youth IGF Nepal 2026 takes place on 2 October 2026 in Kathmandu.

The Forum will bring together young people and stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, the technical community, industry experts, and other stakeholders to engage in discussions on Internet governance, digital policy, emerging technologies, and Nepal’s evolving digital ecosystem.

It will provide participants with opportunities to exchange perspectives, engage with experts and peers, and contribute to conversations shaping the future of the Internet.

Registration for the Annual Forum is now open.

Fellowship

Youth IGF Nepal 2026 Fellowship

Each year, yIGF Nepal brings together youth, policymakers, academia, civil society, the technical community, and the private sector to exchange ideas, build capacity, and foster dialogue on key Internet Governance issues.

The fellowship supports inclusive participation by young people from outside Kathmandu Valley, helping bring diverse voices from across Nepal into national Internet Governance discussions.

Previous experience in Internet Governance is not required.

Learn More

Event Schedule

Venue: Royal Tulip Kathmandu, Gwarko, Lalitpur

Date: 2 October 2026, Friday

The forum is a full-day, youth-led, and multi-stakeholder convening with the following programme agenda:

Time	Session
09:00 – 09:30 (30 mins)	Welcome & Warm-Up Registration, Tea/Coffee & Cookies
09:30 – 10:30 (1 hr)	Opening Plenary Welcome remarks from the host: Ananda Gautam, Co-Founder, Open Internet Nepal / Coordinator, Youth IGF Nepal (5 mins) Chair’s remarks: Surendra Tiwari, Chair, Youth IGF Nepal Chief Guest: Subash Dhakal, Joint Secretary, Information Technology & Digital Governance Office (5 mins) Opening remarks: Jennifer Chung, Chair, IGF MAG (online) (5 mins) Special Guests and Guests: Representative from UN IGF – Herman Johansen (online) (5 mins) Sherry Shek, Coordinator, Asia Pacific Youth IGF Baburam Aryal, Internet Governance Institute
10:30 – 11:00 (30 mins)	Group Photo and Tea Break
11:00 – 11:45 (45 mins)	Spotlight Session 1: Introduction to Internet Governance Amrita Choudhary (MSG Chair, APrIGF)
11:45 – 12:30 (45 mins)	Spotlight Session 2: Building Blocks of Internet Srinivas Chendi (Sunny), APNIC
12:30 – 13:30 (1 hr)	Lunch Break and Networking
13:30 – 14:30 (1 hr)	Role Play Session: IPGO, APNIC Facilitated by: Srinivas Chendi (Sunny), APNIC
14:30 – 15:00 (30 mins)	Youth Advocates for Human Rights in Digital Age Cohort – Fellows Presentation 3 Groups
15:00 – 15:45 (45 mins)	Panel Discussion: Opportunities for Youth around Internet Governance Moderator: Sadichchha Silwal Panelists: Sohini Rajiyung, Community Engagement Manager – Asia Pacific, Internet Society Yash Aghrawal, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, ICANN Rupesh Shrestha, Chair, SANOG Sherry Shek, Coordinator, AP yIGF
15:45 – 16:30 (45 mins)	Lightning Talk 1: Youth in Policy Making – Pawan Acharya (TBC) Lightning Talk 2: Showcase: MULCAM – Open Knowledge Foundation Nepal – James Shrestha (10 mins) Lightning Talk 3: Beyond Consultation: A Legal and Policy Case for Meaningful Youth Participation in Digital Policymaking – Smriti Khanal (10 mins) Lightning Talk 4: Climate and Disaster Resilience and Internet Connectivity – Bibek Silwal (TBC) (20 mins) 5 mins buffer
16:30 – 17:00 (30 mins)	Experience and Feedback Sharing yIGF Nepal Fellows
17:00 – 17:30 (30 mins)	Closing and Vice Chair Handover Closing note: Binod Basnet, Vice President, Open Internet Nepal Vice Chair Handover
Onwards	Tea/Coffee & Networking Celebrate, connect, and collaborate.