South Sudan School on Internet Governance (SS-SIG)

The South Sudan School on Internet Governance (SS-SIG) is a national capacity-building initiative established to strengthen knowledge, skills, and participation in internet governance processes in South Sudan.

The SS-SIG provides structured training and mentorship to equip emerging leaders, professionals, students, policymakers, and civil society actors with practical understanding of how the internet is governed and how digital policy decisions impact society, development, rights, and security.

Why SS-SIG Matters

As South Sudan continues its journey toward digital transformation, there is a growing need for stakeholders who understand the policy, technical, legal, and socio-economic dimensions of the internet.

The SS-SIG supports this goal by building a national community of informed stakeholders who can contribute meaningfully to internet governance discussions at national, regional, and global levels.

Objectives of SS-SIG

The SS-SIG aims to:

  • Build national capacity on internet governance principles and practices.
  • Promote multistakeholder participation in digital policy dialogue.
  • Strengthen understanding of cybersecurity, digital rights, and online safety.
  • Support youth and women participation in internet governance leadership.
  • Improve awareness on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT, and digital economy trends.
  • Create a pipeline of future SS-IGF contributors, moderators, speakers, and policy advocates.
  • Support South Sudan’s engagement in regional and global IGF processes.

Training Approach

The SS-SIG uses an interactive learning model that includes:

  • Expert presentations and guided discussions
  • Case studies and group work
  • Practical policy and governance exercises
  • Stakeholder mapping and simulation sessions
  • Fellowship-style participation and mentorship
  • Networking opportunities and peer collaboration

Key Thematic Areas Covere

The SS-SIG curriculum covers topics such as:

  • Introduction to Internet Governance and the IGF ecosystem
  • Internet infrastructure, DNS, and technical community roles
  • Digital policy development and regulatory frameworks
  • Cybersecurity and national cyber resilience
  • Data protection and privacy
  • Digital rights and online freedoms
  • Child Online Protection (COP)
  • Digital inclusion and universal access
  • Emerging technologies (AI, IoT, Blockchain)
  • Digital economy, fintech, and e-governance
  • Multistakeholder engagement and digital cooperation

Who Can Participate?

The SS-SIG is open to participants from diverse stakeholder groups, including:

  • Government institutions and regulatory agencies
  • ICT operators and private sector organizations
  • Civil society organizations and advocacy groups
  • Media and communications stakeholders
  • Academia, universities, and research institutions
  • Youth groups, students, and innovators
  • Technical experts and internet professionals
  • Women-led initiatives and inclusion-focused organizations

SS-SIG Fellowship Model

Participants are selected through an open call for applications. Successful applicants are admitted as SS-SIG fellows and participate in structured sessions over the course of the programme.

Fellows receive:

  • Structured training sessions
  • Learning materials and resources
  • Participation certificates
  • Opportunities to engage in SS-IGF and related activities
  • Networking opportunities with national and regional stakeholders

SS-SIG and SS-IGF

The SS-SIG is closely linked to the SS-IGF process. The programme is designed to strengthen meaningful participation in SS-IGF sessions and to expand national capacity to contribute to internet governance policy dialogue.

SS-SIG fellows are encouraged to remain active within SS-IGF processes and contribute to national initiatives promoting digital inclusion, trust, and digital development.

Upcoming SS-SIG Activities

The SS-IGF Secretariat periodically announces new SS-SIG cohorts, training schedules, and fellowship opportunities.

To stay updated on upcoming activities, please visit the News & Updates page or follow SS-IGF official communication channels.

Get Involved

Organizations and partners interested in supporting SS-SIG through training, sponsorship, mentorship, or collaboration are encouraged to contact the SS-IGF Secretariat.

Contact

Email: info@ssigf.org.ss
Website: www.ssigf.org.ss