i50y Press Release

For more information, media inquiries, or interview requests, please contact 

Gael Van Weyenbergh 

Email: gael@meoh.io

DM: +32 484 755 375

December 3, 2024 –  On December 3, 2024, i50y will host a groundbreaking virtual event to celebrate the internet’s 50th anniversary from a youth perspective. Hosted on Zoom Events, this global event brings together the pioneers who built the internet and the youth who will shape its future in an interactive and participative celebration. It is organized by youth-led chapters of the Internet Society (ISOC) and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

This unique event offers an unprecedented opportunity for participants to engage with internet pioneers such as Vint Cerf (the “Father of the Internet”), Alan Kay (Turing Award Laureate and personal computing pioneer), alongside young leaders from around the world.

Joining them are renowned experts, including Dr. Grace Githaiga, a leading voice in African tech policy; Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, US Science Envoy; Mei Lin Fung, Chair of Sustainability at IEEE SSIT and co-founder of the People-Centered Internet; and Nnenna Nwakanma, a digital rights advocate and independent expert. 

The event will also feature a pre-recorded video message from Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General. Together, they will foster intergenerational dialogue to explore bold new avenues for a human-centered, youth-led digital future.

Event link

• Opening Ceremony: Reflections on 50 years of the internet and its future, featuring Vint Cerf, Alan Kay, and youth leaders (2:00–2:30 PM CET).  
• AMA (Ask Me Anything) Session: An open, no-holds-barred discussion with internet pioneers and leaders (2:30–3:15 PM CET).  
• Panels on Internet Challenges: Exploring safety, disinformation, youth engagement, and AI ethics with global experts (4:00–5:30 PM CET).  
• Open Mic Session: Young leaders from all corners of the world share their bold visions for the internet’s future (6:15–7:15 PM CET).  
• Closing Ceremony: Featuring reflections, next steps, and a call to action for an inclusive, youth-driven internet, with Mei Lin Fung (7:15–7:45 PM CET). 

“This event is a unique chance to connect with those who pioneered the internet and those who will shape its next 50 years. It’s about rekindling the original spirit of the internet, combining the wisdom of pioneers with the fresh perspectives of young leaders.” i50y team.

i50y is organized by the youth, for the youth, in partnership with ISOC and IGF Youth Chapters worldwide. Its goal is to inspire dialogue and action toward a secure, inclusive, and human-centered internet.

As we celebrate 50 years of the internet, it's time to reflect on present challenges and their profound impact on our lives and communities. The internet isn't just about technological innovation—it's fundamentally about people and their relationships. From 'The Internet We Have,' we're striving for a vision of 'The Internet We Want'—one that fosters inclusivity, safety, openness, and shares the benefits of digital transformation, enriching the lives of everyone, everywhere.

• What is i50y? 

i50 marks the 50th anniversary of the internet, celebrating the pioneering achievement of TCP/IP, the foundational protocol that powers the modern internet. This milestone highlights the transformative impact the internet has had on society since 1974, when Vint Cerf and Robert Kahn published their seminal paper on packet network communication.

i50y is the third celebration in this series, following two major events in Palo Alto and London. While the previous events reflected on the past 50 years, i50y focuses on the youth perspective, exploring how young leaders envision the next 50 years of a human-centric internet. Through this event, i50y aims to bridge the knowledge and contributions of internet pioneers with the vision and ideas of the next generation of innovators.

• Why 1974 Marks the Beginning of our Celebration?

The i50y initiative celebrates 1974 as a pivotal year in internet history because it marks the introduction of TCP/IP by Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn —protocols that formed the foundation of the modern internet. While earlier milestones like ARPANET in 1969 were crucial, TCP/IP made it possible to connect diverse networks into a single global system. This laid the groundwork for the internet’s evolution, including Tim Berners-Lee ’s creation of the World Wide Web in 1989, which brought the internet into everyday life. By starting with 1974, we honor the foundation that enabled all future advancements.

• Who can attend the i50y event, and is there a fee to participate?
  

The event is open to everyone and completely free to attend.

• How can I register for the event, and when is the deadline to register?
  

You can register here. We recommend registering as soon as possible, as spaces are limited.

• What is the format of the event, and how do I join the sessions?
  

The event will be hosted on the Zoom Events Platform and includes keynote talks, interactive panels, an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session, and an open mic discussion.

• Who are the featured speakers for the event?
  

 The event features a world-class lineup of speakers, including:

• Vint Cerf, widely recognized as the "Father of the Internet,"
• Alan Kay, Turing Award Laureate and pioneer of personal computing,
• A special video address from Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU,
• Experts such as Mei Lin Fung, Chair of Sustainability at IEEE SSIT and co-founder of the People-Centered Internet,
• Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, US Science Envoy and leading AI ethicist,
• Dr. Grace Githaiga, a leading voice in African tech policy,
• Nnenna Nwakanma, a digital rights advocate and independent expert,
• Jibu Elias, a leader in advancing ethical AI in India and an advocate for inclusive internet policies, and
• The next generation of internet leaders from Internet Society (ISOC) and Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Youth Chapters worldwide.

This diverse group of visionaries, experts, and emerging leaders makes i50y a truly unique celebration, bridging the wisdom of internet pioneers with the fresh perspectives of young innovators to shape the future of a human-centered digital world.

A complete list of speakers is available on our event page.

• Can I ask questions during the AMA sessions and panels?
  

Yes! Participants will have opportunities to ask questions directly to the speakers through the session chat feature. This allows for a dynamic and interactive experience during the event.

• What if I miss a session? Will recordings be available?
  

Recordings of selected sessions may be available after the event for registered participants. Stay tuned for details post-event.

• What happens if I’ve registered but cannot connect to the session due to capacity limits?
  

Our Zoom Events account supports a limited number of participants in real time. While we encourage everyone to register, access to the live event will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your spot, we recommend joining promptly at the start of the event.

Be part of this historic celebration and contribute to a roadmap for a youth-led digital future. Register now at:

https://events.zoom.us/ev/ApyuE-Dnfgu9L5d9YgV7XklR31foLOtHERKMZg0so4YIbYWXYkGX~AtuH2NbbxdKRtpwEooT_yB3Xd4gHljC4nY_e6YG5sIJ8KyBKcszVZUOZ3Q

Stay connected and join the conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/i50y 
• X: https://www.x.com/i50youth 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i50youth

i50y is a youth-driven initiative created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the internet and envision its future. By bringing together pioneers and young leaders, i50y fosters global collaboration and sets the stage for a human-centered, youth-led digital future.

Our team

Our values and objectives

Partnering organizations:

• Internet Governance Forum Czechia
• Youth IGF Czechia
• Youth IGF Poland
• Youth IGF Nepal
• Internet Society Nepal Chapter
• Internet Society Youth Standing Group
• ICANN Euralo
• People-Centered Internet
• Meoh

i50y Logotypes, types, and color palette