The concluding session of TLDCON 2026 focused on practical opportunities for young professionals to participate in Internet governance processes.

The session was attended by:

•  Ms. Seher Ayhan, Global Stakeholder Engagement Manager in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, ICANN

•  Ms. Amina Meirasbek, Strategic Development Manager, DotAsia

•  Ms. Ulyana Stolyarova, Youth Representative of the RCC/CIS Region at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the M.I. Krivosheev National Research Centre for Telecommunication (NRCT)

•  Mr. Ivan Skorokhodov, student at Bauman Moscow State Technical University and intern at MSK‑IX  

•  Ms. Irina Kharitonova, student at RTU MIREA and intern at RosNIIROS

•  Ms. Zeynep Kanatbekova, student at KSTU, intern at RosNIIROS

•  Ms. Viktoria Nushtaeva, specialist at the Department for the Organization of Student Research and Development Work, Deputy Chairman of the Student Scientific Society at MTUCI.

In a panel discussion format, participants addressed international and regional platforms, the necessary competencies, and the role of educational initiatives and mentorship in Internet governance.

Ms. Anastasia Savelyeva, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Infocommunication Systems, SPbSUT, moderated the session.

In her presentation, Ms. Ulyana Stolyarova, Youth Representative of the RCC/CIS Region at the ITU, highlighted the key elements of the Union's youth policy:

•  Digital inclusion: equal access to ICT, development of digital skills, and opportunities for education and professional fulfillment of youth

•  The three basic principles of the ITU youth strategy: empowerment, engagement, and participation

•  The ITU Generation Connect initiative: a platform for exchanging ideas, participating in projects, and representing youth interests in discussions on digital development

•  Mechanisms for direct youth participation in the ITU's work: the ITU Young Professionals Programme, the ITU Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Board, and global youth events

•  Priority issues: digital skills, cybersecurity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and green digital transformation

•  The main goal: not just to adapt youth to digital changes, but to give them the opportunity to participate in shaping them.

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