[Geneva, Switzerland and Washington D.C., 8 June 2010] – As the Internet rapidly evolves into a truly global medium central to all aspects of human affairs, the need intensifies for future leaders to be drawn from all regions of the world and all walks of life. The Internet Society, uniquely positioned to meet this need, today announced the list of potential leaders joining its programmes for 2010.

The Internet Society’s Next Generation Leaders programme blends coursework, practical experience, and mentorship to help prepare young professionals from around the world to become the next generation of Internet technology, policy, and business leaders.

“We are pleased to have 24 promising students currently in the eLearning phase of our programme,” said Bill Graham, responsible for strategic global engagement at the Internet Society. “Five of those will also join 32 others in the coming months, expanding their leadership skills while they learn about the Internet and the Internet Society’s principles, either as Fellows to the Internet Engineering Task Force meetings or Ambassadors to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).”

The current participants in the programme come from 39 economies highlighting the universal reach of the Internet and the diverse impacts it has around the world.

With continuing sponsorship from Nominet Trust into next year, and the patronage of European Commission, the Next Generation Leaders programme seeks to identify potential Internet leaders and help them accelerate their careers.

Full details of the Next Generation Leaders programme are available here:
http://www.isoc.org/leaders/