We are pleased to announce an open call for applicants to participate in a two-part training series on UN responsible state behaviour in cyberspace discussions run by Global Partners Digital (GPD). 

To apply for part one of the series, please submit an application by 07 April 2021 at midnight UTC. Applications for part 2 will open in June 2021. 

To allow for interactive discussion about specific cases and in-country contexts, we are limiting participant numbers to 20. Please see below for eligibility criteria and details about how to apply. 

Details

This online training series is aimed at expert and non-expert members of civil society with an interest in cybersecurity, human rights, international peace and security and the roles and responsibilities of different actors in cyberspace . 

The training series will consist of six webinars to be delivered via Zoom over April to September 2021. The first webinar will be on 30 April. Further webinars are expected to fall at the end of each month and expected to take place c. midday UTC.

Participants will also be invited to participate in a one hour follow up call in October, which will provide an opportunity to strategise with other civil society groups.

The series will be delivered by experts on cybersecurity and human rights and seeks to:

• Increase participants understanding of the status of cyber discussions within the UN General Assembly (UNGA), how they link to/are situated with other global cyber discussions;
• Increase participants knowledge of the opportunities for engagement in the UN First Committee discussions;
• Increase participants understanding of the UNGGE responsible state behaviour framework and the different components 1) norms, rules and principles; 2) confidence-building measures; 3) capacity-building; 4) the application of international law in cyberspace;
• Increase participants understanding of how the UNGGE framework and norms in particular, can be operationalised at the national level, allowing them to support policymakers and other stakeholders in their implementation of the GGE framework;
• Broaden the pool of civil society actors engaging in these discussions.

Language accessibility 

Please note that the sessions will be delivered in English. 

Each substantive webinar will be 75-90 minutes long and a recording of each webinar will be available on a dedicated webpage. Interpretation in French will be provided for each session.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants affiliated to civil society organisations are eligible to apply. Media, academic and non-affiliated applicants will also be considered.

Applicants from governments and private companies (except social enterprises) are not eligible for this training series. 

Applicants from countries in the Africa, Asia and Latin America regions are encouraged to apply.

Selection criteria

Eligible applicants will be assessed by the quality of the application, including the motivation to participate in the training, as set out in answer to their application. 

We particularly welcome applications from individuals and organisations that are interested in engaging in this policy area within the regions outlined above and/or their countries in the longer term.

Participants who attended the first part will be encouraged to apply to the second part of the series.