Hubs are local meetings that take place in parallel with the IGF. People can watch the webcast together and send questions (via text or video) that will be answered by panelists in IGF. In addition, hub organizers can hold debates to discuss the themes introduced at the IGF from their local perspective. There are several advantages in creating a hub:
- it helps to raise awareness about Internet Governance issues;
- it fosters networking among participants and community building;
- and it encourages follow-up activities.
How to organize a hub? The requirements are very simple:
- A room or auditorium. It can be held in a university classroom or any other convenient place;
- A computer with a broadband Internet connection and a videoconference (or projector) equipment, to watch the webcast;
- A hub moderator, who will plan the dynamics of the local discussions as well as transmit the hub participants’ questions or comments to the IGF through the remote participation channels;
- A general call in lists, forums etc, to invite the interested local community.
Stakeholders interested in organizing a remote hub are invited to register online with the following information:
- Country / City
- Institution where the hub will be based.
- Possible area(s) of interest within the 6 main IGF themes.
- Number of expected participants within the hub.
- Planned pre-meeting activities.
- Hub Coordinator.
- Contact email.
- Hub Technical coordinator (IT).
- Technical coordinator contact email.
Register your hub here (Please make sure you are logged in first).
Please note that the local hub and technical coordinators have to be present at the hub site.
Training for the remote hubs will take place in cooperation with the Remote Participation Working Group and will soon be scheduled.
Hub participants are also encouraged to send short pre-recorded video questions or statement (2-3 minutes), outlining key issues on the local discussion agenda. Hubs are also possibly allowed to join with real-time video message.