Weekly open course on Internet Governance for all stakeholders
Start: February 13, 2026, Wednesday, 7:00 PM MSK
Format: Weekly online sessions on Wednesdays throughout the year
Language: Russian | Edition: 6th (since 2020)
The Free Moscow School of Internet Governance is an open educational initiative created to build a community of Internet Governance experts in Russia and expand Russian society's participation in global Internet Governance processes.
This is not just an educational course about Internet Governance — it's an invitation to participate in shaping the future of the global network and, more broadly, the principles of regulating digital space that extend far beyond technology.
The Internet has evolved over decades according to its own principles, which led to its unprecedented success. Over several months of study, you will understand the evolution of these principles and learn to influence their development. Internet Governance principles are beginning to extend beyond the governance of the Internet alone — they are becoming a model for regulating other complex systems and spheres of human activity.
The Internet is now with us forever — understanding its governance is critically important for planning your personal future and career in the digital age.
In Russia, there is virtually no culture of open discussion of Internet Governance issues — this creates an information vacuum and the threat of pushing Russian society out of the global dialogue.
Your voice and active participation can change the balance in determining the future of the Internet in our country. And not just the Internet — the principles you will master are applicable to regulating any complex systems in conditions of rapid technological development.
The school is conducted as weekly online sessions on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM Moscow time, starting from February 12, 2026. The course is designed for an academic year with possible additional sessions dedicated to current events in Internet Governance.
All sessions are conducted in Russian in the format of interactive lectures, discussions, and practical exercises. Participation is free and open to all interested parties.
Ministry and agency staff, parliamentary committee members, diplomats, Russian representatives in international organizations.
Network engineers, system administrators, developers, cybersecurity specialists, ISP employees.
IT company executives, digital economy entrepreneurs, regulatory specialists in tech companies.
Human rights advocates, data protection and privacy experts, public figures, journalists.
Students, professors and researchers in law, politics, technology fields, youth leaders.
Any citizens concerned about the future of the Internet, digital rights, and online freedoms.
After completing the course, you will be able to:
Required: Only genuine curiosity and desire to influence the development of the digital future
Not required: Specialized IT knowledge, high level of English, prior experience in politics or civic participation.
Note: The program may be supplemented with special sessions dedicated to current events in Internet Governance, such as international conferences, significant regulatory decisions, or technological breakthroughs.
Network technology specialist, Internet Governance expert. Graduate of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics at Moscow State University. Member of the Federal Council of the Pirate Party of Russia, General Secretary of Pirate Parties International. Active participant in IGF international forums. Teaches at F*** *****rsity, collaborates with human rights organizations on Internet rights.
PhD in Law, Associate Professor at the Department of Constitutional and Municipal Law at HSE University. Graduate of the HSE Law Faculty. Author of dissertation "Constitutional Guarantees of Freedom of Speech and Right to Access Information on the Internet" (2013). Participant in Internet Governance Forums since 2012. Specialized in Internet Governance, constitutional law, online human rights, and international regulation of digital space. In loving memory.
The course features representatives from technical community, government agencies, business, civil society, and international organizations.
The "Introduction to Internet Governance" course was first taught by Alexander Isavnin and Andrey Shcherbovich in 2020. Since then, the course has been conducted annually, and 2026 marks its sixth edition.
The Free Moscow School of Internet Governance, created based on this course, is part of the global network of Schools on Internet Governance, bringing together over 40 educational initiatives worldwide.
Organizer: Internet Governance Center — an independent think tank created to conduct research, educational activities, and develop multistakeholder dialogue on Internet Governance issues in Russia.
Registration is open to all interested parties.
Participation is free. Classes start February 12, 2026.