2025 Trusted Internet Summer School on Internet Governance and International Law

Welcome to the Summer School on Internet Governance and International Law 2025!

We are pleased to announce the second edition of the Trusted Internet Summer School, taking place from 22–26 September 2025 in Łódź, Poland. This week-long academic event is hosted by the University of Łódź at the Faculty of Law and Administration, and is part of the third phase of a research project funded by the Internet Society Foundation, focusing on satellite connectivity and disaster relief.

Building on the success of our inaugural edition, this year’s SSIGIL continues the exploration of “Satellite Internet: Trust and Data Governance”, with expanded attention to the deployment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite infrastructures in disaster scenarios and underserved regions.

Throughout the week, a cohort of carefully selected fellows and experienced academic instructors will engage in interactive sessions at the intersection of international law, Internet governance, and emerging trusted infrastructures.

The program covers a broad spectrum of critical topics, including:

• Norms and principles in cyberspace,
• Digital sovereignty and jurisdiction,
• Protection of critical internet infrastructures,
• Data governance and cybersecurity,
• Internet fragmentation,
• Governance and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
• Bridging the digital divide in line with the WSIS+20 Agenda.

Daily keynote lectures by leading experts will set the stage for in-depth discussion and collaboration.

We invite you to join us in Łódź for a week of rich academic dialogue and engagement with some of the most pressing challenges and innovations shaping the future of a trusted internet.

We are pleased to announce this year’s Summer School on Internet Governance and International Law, taking place 22–25 September 2025 at the University of Lodz Law School. This initiative is part of an Internet Society Foundation research project on Satellite Broadband and International Law, co-organized with GigaNet – Global Internet Governance Academic Network, and conducted in partnership with:

• Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)
• United Nations University – Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS)
• Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
• University of Surrey
• Stetson University College of Law.

This year’s edition will focus on Satellite Connectivity, Disaster Relief, Internet Governance, and International Law, offering interactive discussions, hands-on exercises, and practical knowledge exchange.

Who Should Apply:
We welcome applications from individuals who are directly interested in the themes of this year’s edition, including:

• Satellite connectivity and broadband regulation
• Disaster preparedness and emergency response
• Internet governance and cybersecurity
• International law and legal frameworks relevant to connectivity and disaster zones
• Sustainable development in disaster zones

Participation Details:

• Participation is free of charge.
• A limited number of fellowships is available to support accommodation and a lump sum contribution toward travel expenses. Applicants requesting a fellowship should explicitly motivate their need for financial support in application.
• Due to the Summer School’s interactive format, participation is limited to ensure meaningful engagement.

Application Requirements

Applicants are asked to submit the following:

• Motivation letter (max. 500 words) explaining why you wish to participate, how your interests align with the Summer School themes, and, if applicable, why you require financial support through a fellowship.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) (max. 2 pages).

Deadline for Applications: 1 September 2025

Application Submission

Applications should be submitted via the online form available here:

Application Form – SSIGIL 2025

Alternatively, candidates may send their application (motivation letter and CV) directly by email to ssigil@uni.lodz.pl.

Application Review:

• SSIGIL Programme Committee will review all application on running bases. Selected participants will be notified after the application deadline.

We look forward to welcoming a dynamic group of participants to this year’s Summer School, ensuring an active learning environment, knowledge exchange, and collaborative problem-solving in the context of disaster zone connectivity, internet governance, and international law.

 

Theme: Satellite Broadband, International Law, and Internet Governance: Connectivity in Disaster Zones

Location: University of Łódź, Law School, ul. Kopcińskiego 8/12, Room 2.55

Arrival: Monday, 22 September 2025 (Afternoon)
Programme Dates: Tuesday, 23 – Thursday, 25 September 2025
Departure: Friday, 26 September 2025 (Morning)

Day 0 – Monday, 22 September 2025

Note: No official programme sessions on this day.

From 15:00 Check-In – Optional for early arrivals

19:00 Optional Group Dinner (self-organised)

Day 1 – Tuesday, 23 September 2025

Focus: International Law, Internet Governance & Satellite Broadband Regulation – Connectivity in Disaster Zones

09:30–10:00 Registration

10:00–10:20 Welcome Remarks and Programme Overview

10:20–11:00 Keynote: Economic and Historical Perspectives on the Orbital Commons and Satellite Infrastructure

• Speaker: Jonathan Liebenau
• Focus: Economic aspects of satellite infrastructure and historical context relevant to disaster zone connectivity

11:00–11:30 Tour de Table – Summer School Participants & Group Photo

• Each participant briefly introduces themselves and their interests in disaster relief and satellite connectivity
• Group photo of all participants

11:30–12:00 Coffee Break

12:00–13:30 Launch of the Edited Volume + Roundtable

• Focus: Global Governance of Low Earth Orbit Satellites
• Moderators: Joanna Kulesza and Berna Akcali Gur
• Panelists / Authors (alphabetical): Jason Bonsall, Laetitia Cesari, Jonathan Liebenau, Monika Stachon

Format:

• Moderators introduce each panelist and guide the discussion
• Each panelist speaks on their contribution to the volume (5-7 mins)
• Interactive Q&A with participants

13:30–15:00 Lunch Break

15:00–16:30 Discussion: Satellite Regulation, Global Internet Governance & Disaster Relief
Participants / Contributors: Pua Hunter, Feja Lesniewska
Format:

• Pua Hunter introduction (15–20 min): Disaster relief challenges and satellite connectivity – Pacific perspective
• Feja Lesniewska introduction (15–20 min): Sustainable development and resilience in disaster zones
• Open session / participant engagement (40–50 min): Participants share expectations and priorities for Days 2 and 3

16:30-17:00 Synthesis & Day 1 Wrap Up

19:00 - onwards: Welcome Dinner

Day 2 – Wednesday, 24 September 2025 (Pacific Focus)

Focus: Satellite Connectivity and Disaster Relief – Pacific and Comparative Case Studies

10:00–11:30 Session 1: The transformative role of satellite technologies in advancing Pacific resilience, inclusion, and sustainability: National Case Studies & Pacific Perspectives

• An introductory session led by Pua Hunter, including contributions from GFCE Pacific Fellows
  • Tenanoia Simona, Tuvalu
  • Minoru Stephen, Federated States of Micronesia 

11:30–12:00 Coffee Break

12:00–13:30 Session 2: Comparative Panel – Legal, Policy & Governance Reflections

• Panel discussion moderated by Swaran Ravindra

Panellists:

• Melnguis Mesubed – Palau
• Monika Stachoń, Ewelina Kaatz-Drzeżdżon - Polish Space Agency 

13:30–15:00 Lunch Break

15:00–16:30 Session 3: Group Exercise – Disaster Connectivity and Cybersecurity Scenarios

• Participants split into small groups to discuss complementary disaster scenarios
• Groups report findings back to plenary

16:30-17:00 Synthesis & Day 2 Wrap Up

17:00 - onwards Leisure Activity (optional)

Day 3 – Thursday, 25 September 2025

Focus: Connectivity in Disaster Zones, Climate Change Adaptation, and Cybersecurity

10:00–11:30 Session 1: Climate Change Adaptation and Connectivity in Disaster Zones

• Led by Feja Lesniewska and Berna Akcali Gur
• Format:
  • Short expert presentation (15–20 min)
  • Participant breakout discussions (20–25 min) on case studies linking SDGs to connectivity in disaster zones
  • Groups report back (10–15 min)
  • Plenary discussion with expert commentary

11:30–12:00 Coffee Break

12:00–13:30 Session 2: Cybersecurity and Resilient Connectivity in Disaster Zones – Panel Discussion

• Panellists: Laetitia Cesari and Jessie Hamill-Stewart
• Format:
  • Short opening remarks by panellists (10–15 min each)
  • Interactive Q&A / participant reflections (20–25 min)
  • Panelists synthesize discussion points and provide expert guidance

13:30–14:30 Lunch Break

14:30–16:00 Certificate Award Ceremony & Closing Reflections

• Recognition of participant contributions
• Group photo
• Closing reflections on disaster connectivity
• Round-the-table feedback from participants

16:00 onwards Optional Leisure / Departure Preparations

Day 4 – Friday, 26 September 2025

Departure Day

The conference is hosted at the University of Lodz, Faculty of Law and Administration at Kopcinskiego Street 8/12 in Lodz, Poland. 

Air travel:  Lodz Airport offers direct flights from i.e. Dublin, Brussels, Milan, and London.

Traveling from Warsaw: When arriving at Warsaw Okęcie airport consider a train ride to Lodz - the train schedule is here. A direct trip from Warsaw takes approx. 2 hours. The best way to arrive in Lodz from Warsaw by train is to take the train from Warsaw West Railway Station (Warszawa Zachodnia) to Lodz Fabryczna. The rate for train tickets, depending on the train selected might range from ca. 40 PLN to 70 PLN (ca. 8.62 EUR – 15 EUR). You can buy tickets directly on the train, online, or at the train station.

Getting around Lodz: Once in Lodz, you might consider a taxi or public transport. To plan your trip you can use this service. To travel around Łódź, you need to purchase tickets at the ticket machines, which are available at most public transportation stops and larger junctions. You can also buy tickets from ticket machines on board of buses and trams. Price list for single use tickets in Łódź: 20 minutes: 4,00 PLN; 40 minutes: 5,00 PLN; one day ticket: 16,00 PLN. The ticket has to be validated on board of the bus/tram. Official Lodz city website offers more useful tips.

We are delighted to announce that there are no participation fees associated with this event. Generously supported by the Internet Society Foundation in partnership with the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE), United Nations University – Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), University of Surrey and Stetson University College of Law all costs, including registration and attendance, are fully covered. Certificates of successful completion of the programme are available upon prior request, submitted together with the application. Please see "Call for Participants" above for details on how to join. 

Limited Availability

In the spirit of fostering meaningful engagement and dialogue, we are limiting participation to a select group of 20 individuals. Selection will be based solely on the merits of submissions received, ensuring a diverse and enriching cohort of participants.